Chapter 6

In the conclusion of the novel, both Lennie and George are faced with difficult realizations.  The images Lennie sees and the decision George makes allows the reader a chance to glimpse the thoughts of each man.

Explain what the reader learns about Lennie and George in Chapter 6.  Support your discussion with a strong connection to the world in which the men live.

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Annotation focus:

                Examples of characters’ inability to interact and form meaningful connections

The death of Curley’s wife is the climax of the novella.  Because of this event, the reader sees how the dream of a ranch owned by the men could never come true.  Who is truly at fault for Curley’s wife’s death?  Explain if this person is also responsible for the death of the dream.

Explain how Lennie’s dream and Curley’s wife’s dream are similar.  How does the tone of the last conversation between these two characters support the novel’s theme?

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Annotation focus:

                Theme of the attempt to achieve the American Dream

                Steinbeck’s use of “hope”

This chapter focuses on characters we have previously identified as “weak” trying to assert power. 

·         How does one weak character attempt to have power/ control?  How does this incident illustrate the predatory nature of human beings?

·         Explain how the dream of the ranch becomes more significant as the reader understands the characters’ lack of power and increased loneliness.  

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Annotation Focus: Developing theme of loneliness

Steinbeck uses several examples of silence to illustrate the loneliness of the ranch and the characters.  Reread page 48 – 49 to see at least one example of silence in this chapter.  Explain how “silence” is being used to allow the reader to understand loneliness.

Identify a character that is either literally or metaphorically being silenced.  Explain how this silencing occurs and the affects it has on the character.  

CHAPTER 2

Chapter 2

Annotation focus:

1)Interactions between the men on the ranch.  Concentrate on where are friendships possibly forming and where may conflicts occur.  Consider also how the men react to Lennie and George traveling together.

2)Examples of foreshadow – find at least three.

RESPONSE PROMPT

“On some level we are all facing fear - afraid of being seen for who we truly are. Afraid of seeing ourselves for whom we really are.  Afraid of confronting our limiting beliefs, we avoid facing fear by hiding. In order to prevent our true inner self from being seen, we wear a symbolic or metaphorical mask over our authentic personality in the hope that we will remain hidden” (Neta).

Choose one character in Of Mice and Men that is hiding behind a metaphorical mask.  Explain why this person “wears” a mask and how the reader’s understanding of this character can change once the character’s true emotions are understood.

Because of his limited cognitive ability, Lennie is the only character not hiding behind a mask.  Instead he is controlled by his true emotions.  Analyze your annotations on friendship and conflicts.  Then, use those to explain the significance of the quote: “Lennie cried out suddenly – ‘I don’t like this place, George.  This ain’t no good place.  I wanna get outa here’” (Steinbeck 32). 

Of Mice and Men

Chapter 1

Annotation Focus: Examples of imagery

Steinbeck characterizes Lennie with descriptive language that creates an image of an animal. In a paragraph analysis, define Steinbeck’s purpose for this characterization of Lennie and analyze what literary elements (besides imagery) he uses to achieve his overall purpose.

Steinbeck use imagery to provide the readers with information about the setting, characters, and the dream.   Identify the most significant passage which uses imagery and then analyze how the characters are reflected in the setting. 

GRADES POSTED

Congratulations! Many of you successfully completed your summer reading.  Grades are posted in Genesis.  The comment posted with your grade is your first paragraph grade, then your second paragraph grade.  If you have any questions, please contact me.

Once we start class, there will be about a week of Gatsby information to learn, and then you will have a test.  I wold suggest reviewing notes, or the novel before class being so you can contribute to the discussion.