Of Mice and Men (1937)

Of Mice and Men (1937) John Steinbeck

As we read: • Consider which of the following two statements most accurately reflect how you view life. • Knowledge is power. • Ignorance is bliss. • Is anyone ever beyond help?

Chapter 1 • The story opens next to the Salinas River near the Gabilan mountains, denoting a region of the U.S. --California • Therefore the story is an example of Regionalism. We can expect the struggles of the character to apply to the particular area in some cases, and should expect some interesting varieties of dialect (Local Color)

Two characters emerge • George- small in stature, sharp facial features, defined, intelligent • Lennie- huge man, shapeless, expressionless face, drags feet when he walks, very low intelligence • In their discussion of clean water, it is evident that George takes care of Lennie like a parent • The two companions are making a journey to a farm to find work.

Lennie has a terrible memory. He can only remember rabbits most of the time. • He has also managed to keep a dead mouse in his pocket to pet, implying that he is unintelligent but very gentle. • George is concerned that Lennie will do something reckless as he had done in Weed. They were run out of Weed for Lennie’s actions. • George “I could get along so easy and so nice if I didn’t have you on my tail.”

George uses Lennie to fetch fire wood. • George clearly takes advantage of Lennie in some ways “Poor Bastard”, but he spends much of his time keeping Lennie out of trouble. • George took Lennie’s mouse away because it was dead and Lennie crushes them anyway. • Lennie cannot remember his Aunt Clara that was responsible for his upbringing

As they set to a dinner of beans, Lennie asks for ketchup once again, and George explodes on him. It is easy for him to yell at Lennie since he is mentally defenseless • George claims that reason they were run out of Weed was Lennie grabbing a woman’s dress to feel it, then not letting go when she screamed. • George stops, ashamed, when he realizes how much he has hurt Lennie’s feelings. • Also notice George’s use of the “wisht” is an example of the Local Color in the story.

George guiltily apologizes to Lennie “I been mean ain’t I?” • Lennie attempts to further George’s guilt, “I can go away anytime.” • Lennie wants George to tell him about rabbits to make up for it.

George tells Lennie how people like them are normally the loneliest guys in the world who blow their money when they get it. • But they are different, they are going to save their money and buy their own land where no one can make them do anything. • And…”because I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you.”

George reminds Lennie that when they meet the boss Lennie is not g0ing to say anything because George fears they will think he is too handicapped to work. • George also tells Lennie to remember the spot they are camping at in case they get in trouble again.

PART TWO http://www.scribd.com/doc/16574384/John-Steinbeck-Of-Mice-and-Men George and Lennie arrive at the bunk house • They have disappointed the boss from the beginning since they were supposed to be there the night before. • The boss is known for giving the “stable buck”( the man in charge of horse) a black man, a hard time when things going wrong. • The “stable buck” has a crooked back from a horse kick when he was younger, and no longer capable of is manual work. • Note the racism in the story with the only African American character being forced to sleep separate from the other characters. • He is separated by race much like Lennie is separated mentally. (THEME) • However, the man is known for not returning the anger, preferring to keep to himself and read books.

The boss is supposedly a kind man as noted by him buying a gallon of whiskey for his workers at Christmas • The boss enters wearing a Stetson, high heeled boots and spurs “to prove he was not a working man.” • During the interview with the boss Lennie forgets that he is not supposed to talk “Strong as a bull” • The boss believes he may be unfit for work and questions why George would cover for him “I never seen one guy take so much trouble for another guy.” • George lies about his stake with Lennie and why they left Weed.

The old swamper enters with his equally old dog, while George was confessing his lies. • He claims he was not listening, “ I guy on a ranch don’t never listen nor he don’t ask no questions.” • The swamper comments that he has had the dog every since he was a pup. • The boss’s son, Curley, enters. “He wore a work glove on his left hand, and like the boss, he wore high heeled boots.” • Curley is known for his fighting skill. • The swamper reports that Curley picks fights with big guys out of jealousy and a desire to prove himself. However, if he loses no one thinks worse of him, but judges the big guy for beating someone smaller than him.

George warns that he should leave Lennie alone. He is big and “don’t know no rules” • The swamper tells George that the glove is on his hand so it will remain soft for his new wife. The swamper feels safer with George now that he has made a derogatory statement about the boss. • The swamper notes that Curley’s wife has “the eye.” • George warns Lennie that Curley wants to fight him and asks him to stay as far away from him as possible. • However, if he fights you “let im have it.” • Curley’s wife enters the bunk house. She is dressed in a red dress embellished with ostrich feathers. She has red nails and curly hair, inappropriate for a ranch setting.

Lennie cannot help staring at her. “She was purty.” • George warns Lennie to stay from the “jail bait”. • George’s warnings scare Lennie “I don’t like this place. This ain’t no good place.” • Slim, the jerkline skinner, enters. He is the unofficial leader of the workers. “his slow speech had overtones that were not thought, but an understanding beyond thought.” He is impressed by George’s treatment of Lennie. • Carlson, “a powerful, big stomached man” enters. He suggests Slim give Candy one of his new pups so he can get rid of his old dog. • Lennie asks George to get him a pup to play with

PART THREEEEE • It opens with Lennie finally getting his puppy and proving how hard of a worker he is. • George explains to Slim that he has known Lennie since he was he born, and when Lennie’s Aunt Clara died Lennie just followed along with him. • George admits that he used to play jokes and beat on Lennie because he was so dumb. “Made me seem smart alongside of him.” • Slim admits that he is a nice fellow, “Guy don’t need no sense to be a nice fella.” • George admits that he likes having someone to travel with, “But you get used to going around with a guy an’ you can’t get rid of him.”

George explains to Slim why that got kicked out of Weed. • Slim acknowledges that Lennie has no “meanness” in him. • Candy, the swamper, comes in with his old dog, and Carlson throws a fit about the smell of the old dog. • Carlson suggests shooting the old dog, but Candy protests that “He had since he was a pup.” • “That dog ain’t no good to himself.” • A young laborer ,Whit, brings in a magazine with a comment in by a former laborer, Bill Tenner, it serves as a brief distraction from the dog. • This makes a statement about how cultured the men are when they think Bill’s poorly written commentary that is published in the magazine, is the most amazing thing that has ever happened

Before we begin • Author’s tactics • Characterization- the attempt by the author to give the characters in the story a purpose and make them believable. • Direct- Characterization- text directly stating what the characters looks or act like. • Indirect Characterization- portion of texts, usually dialogue or feelings, that allow the reader to infer what kind of personality the character has. • From a psychological standpoint, all characterization or personality tests are useless unless we can predict what the person will do next. • Give an example of direct characterization of Curley • Give an example of indirect characterization of Curley • Predict what will happen to Curley based on your character profile

Carlson is not distracted. He claims he can shoot the dog with his Luger, and he would not feel a thing. • Candy relents and allows Carlson to take his dog. • Carlson executes the dog, Candy only turns to the wall. • Crooks, the stable worker, informs Slim that his horse needs his hoof repaired and that Lennie is taking the pups away from their mother, which could kill them. • Whit tells George that it seems Curley’s wife “seems like she can’t keep away from guys.” • George believes that a ranch full of guys is no place for a woman.

Whit invites George to go to “doll house” • George claims that him and Lennie are “rollin up stake” or trying to save money. • Curley is once again looking for his wife, and believes that Slim has something to do with why she is missing • George warns Lennie about the woman again claiming that he knows someone that went to jail because of a “tart” • As George begins telling Lennie about their future home, Candy listens attentively. • Candy says that he has 300 dollars saved, 250 from his lost hand. He cannot do much, but if they would take him with them he would help out on the farm.

With Candy’s money, George believes that he may be able to buy their own farm in a month; the dream that they only partially believed is becoming a possibility. • Candy is still in mourning about his dog. He notes that when he gets too old to work no one will shoot him; they will just but him out on the road. • Note how much Lennie starts cussing. He is learning from George and the other workers. • The three of them of swear not to speak about the ranch to anyone else.

Candy tells George that he regrets not shooting the dog himself. “I shouldn’t ought to let no stranger shoot my dog.” • Curley comes in with Slim and Carlson asking about his wife. • They both tell him to leave them alone, or they will beat on him. • They warn him that if he keeps letting his wife come around he will have a problem. • Curley turns to Lennie to vent his anger on.

Lennie tries to back away, begging George for help as Curley punches him. • Lennie grabs one of Curley’s hands and crushes it in his own. • Slim tells Curley that he is going to tell his dad that he got his hand caught a machine, or Slim will tell everyone that he was beaten up by a mentally handicapped person. • In the end, all Lennie is worried about is if George will let him tend the rabbits.

PART FOUR • PART FOUR FOCUSES ON THE THEME OF SEPARATION AND THE DISSOLVING OF THOSE BARRIERS. • We find that the stable worker’s name is Crooks. “He was a proud and aloof man. He kept his distance and demanded other people keep theirs.” • Lennie wanders into the stable to pet his pup, invading Crooks’s home. • Lennie cannot help but tell Crooks about their plans to buy a farm.

Crooks tells Lennie his opinions are ignored because he is black • However, Crooks understands why George keeps Lennie around, “It’s just talking. It’s just being with another guy.” • Crooks decides to test Lennie’s resolve and independence “S’pose George ain’t coming back.” • Lennie reacts in anger, as if someone threatened the master of a dog. • Crooks explains that he feels the way Lennie feels in that moment all the time. He is attempting to explain his separation. “A guy gets too lonely he gets sick.”

Crooks hears of Lennie’s dream and tells him of his doubs, “Nobody never gets heaven, and nobody gets no land” • Candy visits Crooks’s stable to find Lennie. • Crooks allow Candy entrance. NOTICE HOW ALL THE MEN WHOM WERE SEPARATED HAVE BEEN JOINED BY LENNIE’S INNOCENCE/IGNORANCE • They are united by a common dream. The dream of owning land, of having something of their own. • Crooks volunteers his free service on this dream ranch.

Curley’s wife enters the stable. NOTICE THAT THE BOOK NEVER GIVES THE WOMAN A NAME OF HER OWN, ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF SEPARATION FROM GENDER. • She claims “They left the weak ones here.” Note that it includes her in the group of the isolated. • “Ever one of you is scared the rest is going to get something on you.” • “Think I don’t like to talk to someone ever once in awhile.” From Curley’s wife, but note how similar they are to the words of George, Candy, and Crooks.

The men ask her to leave. She insults them instead. • Candy has had enough of her flirtation. He tells her that he does not have to be afraid anymore. He is no longer afraid of being fired. • Curley’s wife is able to guess at the fact that Lennie crushed Curley’s hand. • Curley’s wife threats Crooks with being fired or worse. She reduces him to lower state than the equality the three men had. • George enters to tell Lennie that he should not have been there, Crooks retreats within himself, taking back his offer to help.

PART FIVE • The chapter opens with Lennie trying to hide his dead puppy. Again he worries about how it will affect his tending the rabbits. • He is upset hat it died so easily. He blames it on the dog. • It is then that Curley’s wife sneaks into the barn with him. “I never get to talk to nobody. I get awful lonely.” “Ain’t I got a right to talk to nobody.” • Curley’s wife believes she “could’ve made something of my self.” Like the men, she has dreams of her own. • Curley’s wife admits to not liking Curley, but married him to get out of her mother’s house.

Lennie admits to liking rabbits so much because he likes to pet “nice things” • Curley’s wife invites him to pet her hair. In the excitement, Lennie cannot let go, and becomes further upset when she tries to scream. • “And the meanness and the plannings and the discontent and the ache for attention were all gone from her face.” • Then, Lennie breaks her neck. “I done a bad thing. I done another bad thing.”

Candy brings George to Curley’s wife, George responds that “I should of knew.” • George hopes he can just be locked up, but Candy reminds him that Curley will want him lynched. • Candy is more concerned about their future farm. George responds.. • “I think I knowed we’d never do her. He usta like to hear about it so much I got to thinking maybe we would.” • George has now decided that he will spend his money in “cat houses” drinking • Candy blames the loss of his dream on Curley’s wife being a tart • George returns to his bunk so the men will not think he had anything to do with it.

Curley vows to shoot him “in the guts.” This will only torture the victim, not kill it. • Carlson wants to help but someone has stole the Luger he used to shoot the dog • George is forced to go with them so they do not think he had anything to do with the murder.

Final Thoughts • Loneliness and the Dangers thereof • Note how Slim, George and Crooks all note that continued loneliness makes a man “mean” and “crazy” • While everyone realizes that Lennie is nuts, they all understand why George keeps him around • Crooks, Candy, Curley’s wife, and George all appreciate the need to have someone to talk.

Separation • Separation • Crooks- separated by race • Curley’s wife- separated gender • Candy- separated by age and the loss handicap • Lennie- separated by intelligence • All our brought together by Lennie during scene Four by Lennie’s ignorance and innocence. He does not have a concept social barriers. • Each have the same desire, to have someone to talk to and to have a measure of independence

Dreams • Many of the characters talk about dreams, George, Crooks, Lennie, Candy • However, by the end all the consider their dreams as impossible or wasted.

Morality • Lennie • We find Lennie’s morality consists of Aunt Clara telling him to listen to George and not make him upset • And a rabbit, that tells him his status of being able to tend to his kind • George • George’s morality is tied to his taking care of someone else • Without Lennie, George gives up his dreams and his honorable character.

Of Mice and Men (1937)