QW: Read the following quote and respond to it by writing 5-7 sentences on a ½ sheet of paper

1. QW: Read the following quote and respond to it by writing 5-7 sentences on a ½ sheet of paper • In every bit of honest writing in the world there is a base theme. Try to understand men; if you understand each other you will be kind to each other. Knowing a man well never leads to hate and nearly always leads to love. There are shorter means, many of them. There is writing promoting social change, writing punishing injustice, writing in celebration of heroism, but always that base theme. Try to understand each other. – John Steinbeck in his 1938 journal entry

2. Background… • Written by John Steinbeck in 1937 • One of the most challenged books of the 21st century • Chronicles the struggles of migrant farm workers during the Great Depression of the 1930’s • Written as a potential play

3. John Steinbeck 1902-1968 • Born in Salinas, CA • His books are set in California and they deal with the lives and problems of working people • Many of his characters are immigrants or migrant workers who went to California looking for work or a better life

4. The Setting • The novel takes place in Salinas Valley, CA • The two main characters are traveling from Weed, CA to Salinas in search of work • The majority of the novel takes place at the ranch where they find work

5. The Great Depression • Took place between 1929-1941, 12 years • Nearly 50% of the children of the great depression did not have adequate food, shelter, or medical care. • During the worst years of the Depression (1933-1934) the overall jobless rate was 25% (1 out of 4 people) • WW2 eventually pulled the US out of the depression by creating new jobs.

6. Social impact of the Depression • Discrimination during the Depression against women was common because they were seen as taking away jobs from men • African-Americans were the hardest hit during the Great Depression, and they were often the first to get laid off • Some men abandoned their families; a 1940 poll revealed that 1.5 million married women were abandoned by their husbands.

7. Characters • George Milton: the small, sharp-witted ranch hand who cares for and travels with Lennie. George is a typical, realistic worker who uses his mind to anticipate the future • Lennie Small: a physically large man whose mind is slow; he has a short attention span and acts similar to a child. Because of his mental limitations, Lennie never understands or anticipates the consequences of his actions.

8. Slim: a wise, well-respected ranch hand whose word is law • Carlson: ranch hand who is the exact opposite of Slim; coarse and insensitive, he does not understand the feelings of those around him • Candy: the ranch hand who wanted to join the dream of George and Lennie.

9. Crooks: named for his crooked body; proud and independent Negro who is an outcast on the ranch; also wants to join Lennie and George’s dream • Curley: the evil son of the boss, Curley is a small, vicious bully who picks on those smaller than he is and attempts to intimidate those larger than him • Curley’s wife: bitter woman who lives on the ranch; frequently attempts to initiate conversation with the workers, but gets shot down

10. Thematic topics explored within the novel • Loneliness • Fate • Dreams vs. Reality • The American Dream • Discrimination

11. Chapter 1 Discussion Questions 1. What can you infer about the characters’ personalities based on the descriptions of their physical descriptions? What are they like? 2. Why did they have to leave Weed, CA? 3. Who is Aunt Clara? 4. How are George and Lennie different than most farm workers? 5. What is their American Dream? 6. What is Lennie supposed to do if he gets into trouble?