Of Mice and Men

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck Published in 1937

About the author • John Steinbeck was born on February 27, 1902, in Salinas, California. • Early influences include the tales of King Arthur and the King James version of the Bible. • Studied at Stanford University but did not earn a degree. • Held several odd jobs before he established himself as a writer • Solidified his success in 1939 with The Grapes of Wrath • Won Pulitzer Prize in 1940 • Most novels of the 30s and 40s are set in California and deal with social issues. • Won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1962 • Died on December 20, 1968 at the age of 66 • Titles include novelist, short story writer, playwright, nonfiction writer, journalist, and screenwriter

Historical Context • THE GREAT DEPRESSION (1929-1941) –a massive global recession • Unemployment went from 3% to 25% • Manufacturing output declined by one-third • Banks failed • Big Business saw huge sales drops • *General Motors sales dropped 50% from • late 20s to early 30s • Migrant workers drifted from one ranch to another, earning $2.50-$3.00 a day, plus food and very basic accomodations • Farm prices fell--small farmers went bankrupt or lost • their land

Elements of the Novel • Play-novelette—six chapters; the beginning of each chapter begins with a description of the scene. • Third-person objective (or dramatic) point of view • Small ranch near the Salinas River in California—The Great Depression • The action takes place over 3 days, and the novel begins and ends by the river. Style, Point of View, Setting

Characters and Theme • George and Lennie are the main characters • Unlike the others they travel together. Their bond is unique and co-dependent. • A number of themes are addressed: *friendship *loneliness *indifference of the world *the worth of life *attainment of the American Dream

The Title • The title is taken from the poem “To A Mouse” by Robert Burns: The best laid schemes o’ mice and men Gang aft agley [often go wrong] And leave us nought but grief and pain For promised joy! What do theses lines mean to you? What is your idea of the American Dream? How will things be someday for you?

Of Mice and Men

Of Mice and Men

Presentation Transcript

Of Mice and men

Of Mice and Men..

Of Mice and Men

Of Mice and Men

Of Mice and Men

Of Mice and Men

Of Mice and Men:

Of Mice and Men

Of Mice and Men

“Of Mice and Men”

Of mice and men

Of Mice and Men

Of Mice and Men

Of Mice and Men

OF MICE AND MEN.

Of Mice and Men

Of Mice and Men

“Of Mice and Men”

Of Mice and Men

Of Mice and Men

Of Mice and Men

Of Mice and Men