Of Mice and Men

Part I
 Why is Part I important?

▪ It establishes the setting.
▪ We are introduced to the two main characters, Lennie and George.
▪ Their relationship is made clear.
▪ We find out what has happened previously in Weed (the reason they
are here now) and are told where they are going next.
▪ It provides initial clues about key ideas, themes and events which
will come up again as the book progresses.
 Setting

• Soledad is a Spanish
word for ‘solitude’/
‘loneliness’
• theme of loneliness
Setting

Language Features
• use of colours
• sensory imagery

Colours and Sensory
Imagery
• the place is described as
pastoral, idyllic and calm/
soothing, like the Garden of
Eden, left undisturbed.
• The abundance of water
(‘deep’) and the ‘green’ colour
of the river suggests fertility,
thus also hope for life/growth.
• The warm water is welcoming
along with the beautiful brush
with ‘twinkling’ water and
‘yellow’ sands.
P.1 (Novel)
A few miles south of Soledad, the Salinas River
drops in close to the hillside bank and runs deep
and green. The water is warm too, for it has
slipped twinkling over the yellow sands in the
sunlight before reaching the narrow pool. On one
side of the river the golden foothill slopes curve
up to the strong and rocky Gabilan mountains, but
on the valley side the water is lined with trees -
willows fresh and green with every spring,
carrying in their lower leaf junctures the debris of
the winter’s flooding; and sycamores with
mottled, white, recumbent limbs and branches
that arch over the pool. On the sandy bank under
the trees the leaves lie deep and so crisp that a
lizard makes a great skittering if he runs among
them.

Colours and Sensory
Imagery
• Sibilance (the ‘s’ sound)
• to create a tranquil/peaceful
atmosphere
• This sets up an ideal place for
migrant workers to rest and
‘dream’, like how the two
protagonists will enter the
scene. The brush offers them a
sanctuary (after the Weed
incident) and an ideal location
to talk about their dream.
P.1 (Novel)
A few miles south of Soledad, the Salinas River
drops in close to the hillside bank and runs deep
and green. The water is warm too, for it has
slipped twinkling over the yellow sands in the
sunlight before reaching the narrow pool. On one
side of the river the golden foothill slopes curve
up to the strong and rocky Gabilan mountains, but
on the valley side the water is lined with trees -
willows fresh and green with every spring,
carrying in their lower leaf junctures the debris of
the winter’s flooding; and sycamores with
mottled, white, recumbent limbs and branches
that arch over the pool. On the sandy bank under
the trees the leaves lie deep and so crisp that a
lizard makes a great skittering if he runs among
them.

Setting
• The setting is not perfect.
• The ‘deep’ river and pool can
be dangerous as with ‘the
winter’s flooding’.
• The ‘strong and rocky’
mountains are also placed
alongside this haven.
P.1 (Novel)
A few miles south of Soledad, the Salinas River
drops in close to the hillside bank and runs deep
and green. The water is warm too, for it has
slipped twinkling over the yellow sands in the
sunlight before reaching the narrow pool. On one
side of the river the golden foothill slopes curve
up to the strong and rocky Gabilan mountains, but
on the valley side the water is lined with trees -
willows fresh and green with every spring,
carrying in their lower leaf junctures the debris of
the winter’s flooding; and sycamores with
mottled, white, recumbent limbs and branches
that arch over the pool. On the sandy bank under
the trees the leaves lie deep and so crisp that a
lizard makes a great skittering if he runs among
them.
 P.2 (Novel)

Setting Evening of a hot day started the little wind to

moving among the leaves. The shade climbed up
the hills toward the top. On the sand banks the
• The place seems to prepare for the rabbits sat as quietly as little gray, sculptured
entrance of the arrival of George
and Lennie in the warm, dry stones. And then from the direction of the state
evening characterised by it being highway came the sound of footsteps on crisp
‘hot’ with ‘little wind’. sycamore leaves. The rabbits hurried noiselessly for
• The tranquility is later broken by cover. A stilted heron labored up into the air and
the ‘intruders’, turning it into a pounded down river. For a moment the place was
‘lifeless’ place with all the animals lifeless, and then two men emerged from the path
fleeing from the scene.
and came into the opening by the green pool.
• Such interruption seems to create
an unsettling atmosphere, with
reader anticipating who are the
two men and what will happen to
them.
 Why is Part I important?

▪ It establishes the setting.
▪ We are introduced to the two main characters, Lennie and George.
▪ Their relationship is made clear.
▪ We find out what has happened previously in Weed (the reason they
are here now) and are told where they are going next.
▪ It provides initial clues about key ideas, themes and events which
will come up again as the book progresses.
 P.2 (Novel) & P.11 (Portfolio)

George They had walked in single file down the path, and
- Physical Traits even in the open one stayed behind the other. Both
were dressed in denim trousers and in denim coats
with brass buttons. Both wore black, shapeless hats
and both carried tight blanket rolls slung over their
shoulders. The first man was small and quick, dark
of face, with restless eyes and sharp, strong
features. Every part of him was defined: small,
strong hands, slender arms, a thin and bony nose.
Behind him walked his opposite, a huge man,
shapeless of face, with large, pale eyes, with wide,
sloping shoulders; and he walked heavily, dragging
his feet a little, the way a bear drags his paws. His
arms did not swing at his sides, but hung loosely.
 The language used here such as
“quick”, “restless” and “sharp” are a
George - Physical Traits physical reflection of George’s
intelligence and quick thinking.
This provides a strong contrast with
Lennie, who is large and slow.
 P.2 (Novel) & P.11 (Portfolio)

Lennie They had walked in single file down the path, and
- Physical Traits even in the open one stayed behind the other. Both
were dressed in denim trousers and in denim coats
with brass buttons. Both wore black, shapeless hats
and both carried tight blanket rolls slung over their
shoulders. The first man was small and quick, dark
of face, with restless eyes and sharp, strong
features. Every part of him was defined: small,
strong hands, slender arms, a thin and bony nose.
Behind him walked his opposite, a huge man,
shapeless of face, with large, pale eyes, with wide,
sloping shoulders; and he walked heavily, dragging
his feet a little, the way a bear drags his paws. His
arms did not swing at his sides, but hung loosely.
 Lennie’s physical vastness is emphasised here,
which is linked to the problems that this causes
later in the book.
Lennie & George Whereas George’s quickness is concentrated upon
when he is introduced (reflecting his intelligence)
Lennie’s size is the focus of his introduction.

“the way a bear drags his paws” – he is also

animal-like
 We will come back to this
topic later.
Relationship (George & Lennie)?
 Why is Part I important?

▪ It establishes the setting.
▪ We are introduced to the two main characters, Lennie and George.
▪ Their relationship is made clear.
▪ We find out what has happened previously in Weed (the reason they
are here now) and are told where they are going next.
▪ It provides initial clues about key ideas, themes and events which
will come up again as the book progresses.

Plot Development - What
happened in Weed…
• George’s resentment towards
Lennie
• The constant struggle between
wanting to shelter Lennie and
waiting to be rid of him is a
driving force behind George’s
decision-making throughout
the novella.
P.12 (Novel)
Lennie knelt and looked over the fire at the
angry George. And Lennie’s face was drawn
with terror. "An’ whatta I got," George went
on furiously. "I got you! You can’t keep a job
and you lose me ever’ job I get. Jus’ keep me
shovin’ all over the country all the time. An’
that ain’t the,' worst. You get in trouble. You
do bad things and I got m get you out."
 P.12-13 (Novel)

What happened in "You crazy son-of-a-bitch. You keep me in hot

Weed… (P. 12 Portfolio)
1. According to Georget, what
happened in Weed that got the pair
into trouble?
Lennie wanted to feel a girl’s dress
and ‘pet it like it was a mouse’.
The girl tried to fight him off but
Lennie held on to her dress like it was
a mouse.
The girl screamed. (Lennie was
accused of rape.)
water all the time." He took on the elaborate
manner of little girls when they are
mimicking one another. "Jus’ wanted to feel
that girl’s dress - jus’ wanted to pet it like it
was a mouse - Well, how the hell did she
know you jus’ wanted to feel her dress? She
jerks back and you hold on like it was a
mouse. She yells and we got to hide in a
irrigation ditch all day with guys lookin’ for
us, and we got to sneak out in the dark and
get outta the country. All the time somethin’
like that - all the time. I wisht I could put you
in a cage with about a million mice an’ let
you have fun."

What happened in
Weed… (P. 12 Portfolio)
2. How did they get out of the situation?
They hid in an irrigation ditch all day
with people looking for them.
At last, they sneaked out in the dark
and fled the country.
P.12-13 (Novel)
"You crazy son-of-a-bitch. You keep me in hot
water all the time." He took on the elaborate
manner of little girls when they are mimicking
one another. "Jus’ wanted to feel that girl’s
dress - jus’ wanted to pet it like it was a mouse
- Well, how the hell did she know you jus’
wanted to feel her dress? She jerks back and
you hold on like it was a mouse. She yells and
we got to hide in a irrigation ditch all day with
guys lookin’ for us, and we got to sneak out in
the dark and get outta the country. All the time
somethin’ like that - all the time. I wisht I could
put you in a cage with about a million mice an’
let you have fun." His anger left him suddenly.
He looked across the fire at Lennie’s anguished
face, and then he looked ashamedly at the
flames.

What happened in
Weed… (P. 12 Portfolio)
3. How does George feel when he
recounts the incident? How does Lennie
react to it?
George is frustrated/ infuriated.
P.12-13 (Novel)
"You crazy son-of-a-bitch. You keep me in hot
water all the time." He took on the elaborate
manner of little girls when they are mimicking
one another. "Jus’ wanted to feel that girl’s
dress - jus’ wanted to pet it like it was a mouse
- Well, how the hell did she know you jus’
wanted to feel her dress? She jerks back and
you hold on like it was a mouse. She yells and
we got to hide in a irrigation ditch all day with
guys lookin’ for us, and we got to sneak out in
the dark and get outta the country. All the time
somethin’ like that - all the time. I wisht I could
put you in a cage with about a million mice an’
let you have fun." His anger left him suddenly.
He looked across the fire at Lennie’s anguished
face, and then he looked ashamedly at the
flames.

What happened in
Weed… (P. 12 Portfolio)
3. How does George feel when he
recounts the incident? How does Lennie
react to it?
George is frustrated/ infuriated.
Lennie feels guilty, on some level,
about the frustration he causes
George. He reassures George that he
does not want any Ketchup and he
offers to leave George alone.
P.13-14 (Novel)
"George," very softly. No answer. "George!"
"Whatta you want?"
"I was only foolin’, George. I don’t want no
ketchup. I wouldn’t eat no ketchup if it was
right here beside me."
"If it was here, you could have some."
"But I wouldn’t eat none, George. I’d leave it
all for you. You could cover your beans with
it and I wouldn’t touch none of it."
George still stared morosely at the fire.
"When I think of the swell time I could have
without you, I go nuts. I never get no peace."
Lennie still knelt. He looked off into the
darkness across the river, "George, you want I
should go away and leave you alone?"

Plot Development - The
importance of the incident
in Weed
● The incident in Weed is a clear example
of the serious consequence(s) of
Lennie’s obsession.
● George is the only one with the patience
to understand Lennie – but to the rest of
the world, Lennie is a danger and a
menace, and George is often the only
thing standing between Lennie and
certain death.
● This is important for us to bear in mind till
the end of the story when Lennie has to
pay his life for his ‘wrongdoing’.
P.12-13 (Novel)
"You crazy son-of-a-bitch. You keep me in hot
water all the time." He took on the elaborate
manner of little girls when they are mimicking
one another. "Jus’ wanted to feel that girl’s
dress - jus’ wanted to pet it like it was a mouse
- Well, how the hell did she know you jus’
wanted to feel her dress? She jerks back and you
hold on like it was a mouse. She yells and we
got to hide in a irrigation ditch all day with guys
lookin’ for us, and we got to sneak out in the
dark and get outta the country. All the time
somethin’ like that - all the time. I wisht I could
put you in a cage with about a million mice an’
let you have fun." His anger left him suddenly.
He looked across the fire at Lennie’s anguished
face, and then he looked ashamedly at the
flames.

Foreshadowing
• The incident in Weed
⇒ implication: this is not the first
time – what will happen later in the
story?
• Lennie and George are heading to
another ranch
⇒ will they get into trouble AGAIN?
P.12-13 (Novel)
“You crazy son-of-a-bitch. You keep me in hot
water all the time."
…
All the time somethin’ like that - all the time.
P.6 (Novel)
"Jesus Christ," George said resignedly. "Well -
look, we’re gonna work on a ranch like the
one we come from up north"

Foreshadowing
• Before they sleep, George
reminds Lennie once again to
‘hide in the brush’.
⇒ is he certain that Lennie will
misbehave AGAIN?
P.17 (Novel)
"’Course you did. Well, look Lennie - if you jus’
happen to get in trouble like you always done be
fore, I want you to come right here an’ hide in
the brush."
"Hide in the brush," said Lennie slowly.
Hide in the brush till I come for you. Can you
remember that?"
"Sure I can, George. Hide in the brush till you
come."
"But you ain’t gonna get in no trouble, because
if you do, I won’t let you tend the rabbits." He
threw his empty bean can off into the brush.
 Why is Part I important?

▪ It establishes the setting.
▪ We are introduced to the two main characters, Lennie and George.
▪ Their relationship is made clear.
▪ We find out what has happened previously in Weed (the reason they
are here now) and are told where they are going next.
▪ It provides initial clues about key ideas, themes and events which
will come up again as the book progresses.

Their dream
(P. 13 Portfolio)
1. Lennie continually asks George to
recite their dream for the future.
What is their dream about?
It is about the two men buying a little
farm of livestock and rabbits together
and living there on their own without
having to work for someone else.
P.16 (Novel)
"You got it by heart. You can do it yourself."
"No, you. I forget some a’ the things. Tell about
how it’s gonna be."
”O.K. Someday - we’re gonna get the jack
together and we’re gonna have a little house
and a couple of acres an’ a cow and some pigs
and -"
”An’ live off the fatta the lan’,"Lennie shouted.
"An’ have rabbits. Go on, George! Tell about
what we’re gonna have in the garden and about
the rabbits in the cages and about the rain in
the winter and the stove, and how thick the
cream is an the milk like you can hardly cut it.
Tell about that, George."
Their Dream (P.13 Portfolio)
2. Their dream gives them a respite from their harsh reality. How are things in their
dream?
Their dream

● They will get a place where they feel they

belong and don’t have to leave
● A place where they don’t have to work for
others and Lennie won’t be judged
● A place where they can live a comfortable
life
Their Dream (P.13 Portfolio)
2. Their dream gives them a respite from their harsh reality. How are things in their
dream?
The reality

● They need to travel from ranch to ranch to search for a good

job and they do not usually stay at the same place (since
Lennie always gets into trouble).
● Lennie is mentally challenged and is usually discriminated
against. Many don’t see him as a good worker due to his
disability.
● They do not earn a lot and the dream of buying a piece of land
on their own seems impossible.
 Why is Part I important?

▪ It establishes the setting.
▪ We are introduced to the two main characters, Lennie and George.
▪ Their relationship is made clear.
▪ We find out what has happened previously in Weed (the reason they
are here now) and are told where they are going next.
▪ It provides initial clues about key ideas, themes and events which
will come up again as the book progresses.
 The language used here such as
George’s Character Traits “quick”, “restless” and “sharp” are a
(P. 11 Portfolio) physical reflection of George’s
intelligence and quick thinking.
This provides a strong contrast with
Lennie, who is large and slow.

Lennie’s Character Traits
(P. 11 Portfolio)
Lennie’s physical vastness is emphasised here,
which is linked to the problems that this causes
later in the book. Whereas George’s quickness is
concentrated upon when he is introduced
(reflecting his intelligence) Lennie’s size is the
focus of his introduction.

“the way a bear drags his paws” – he is also

animal-like
Relationship (George & Lennie)

Relationship/ Friendship
- How is George’s feeling towards Lennie?
•George is frustrated with Lennie
•George gets short-tempered and
angry when Lennie makes mistakes
⇒ Rhetorical questions – frustration
⇒ it costs him a ‘normal’ life to be
with Lennie
Mixed
feelings!
P.4 (Novel)
“So you forgot that awready, did you? I gotta tell you
again, do I?”
P.12 (Novel)
"Whatever we ain’t got, that’s what you want. God
a’mighty, if I was alone I could live so easy. I could go
get a job an’ work, an’ no trouble. No mess ' all, and
when the end of the month come I coul' take my fifty
bucks and go into town and get what‘ ever I want.
Why, I could stay in a cat house night. I could eat any
place I want, hotel or an place, and order any damn
thing I could think of. An’ I could do all that every
damn month. Get a gallon of whisky, or set in a pool
room and play cards or shoot pool."
Relationship/ Friendship
- How is George’s feeling towards Lennie?
• George is grateful for his friendship
with Lennie.
⇒ They are different to other men;
they have each other
⇒ Repeated pronouns “we” and
“us” → they are a unit and stay
together, highlighting their
closeness.
Mixed
feelings!
P.15 (Novel)
George went on. "With us it ain’t like that. We
got a future. We got somebody to talk to that
gives a damn about us. We don’t have to sit in
no bar room blowin’ our jack jus’ because we
got no place else to go. If them other guys
gets in jail they can rot for all anybody gives a
damn. But not us."
Lennie & George - Relationship
(P. 11 Portfolio)
 Lennie & George

• Parent & child

• George as Lennie’s guardian
• Companions
• Close friends
• Master & pet/servant?