Of Mice and Men Final Analysis

1. Of Mice and Men Final Analysis We’ve read the novella, now let’s analyze!

2. What’s an archetype? • Good question! • (noun) an original model or pattern • (literary term) The first symbols of humankind that have replicated themselves in stories throughout the ages and across all cultures • Archetypes appear in the stories of groups from cavemen to 21st century authors • The term “archetype” was coined by Karl Jung who used them as the basis of “collective unconscious” theory.

3. More on Archetypes • There are common archetypal plots, character types, and patterns • They are common across all cultures and are embedded in our past experiences • For example, the most common archetypal character is that of the hero. He/she usually must: • endure some sort of ritual or test • go on a journey • perform a task • save the day

4. Of Mice and Men Archetypes • Wise fool – mentally inferior but is able to bring out the best/worst in others • Eve (as in Adam and Eve) – female who succumbs and brings sin and death to the world • A hero/king – Shows leadership qualities and a deep understanding of others • The “every man” – a character to which we can all identify. • Small character who overcompensates • Character facing racism • Character facing ageism

5. Archetype Example • Wise fool = Lennie: “I don’t like this place George…” • Eve = Curley’s wife: “When I’m doing my hair sometimes I just sit and stroke it cause it’s so soft”

6. Archetype Quotes • Small man = Curley: “You tried to throw a scare in to Slim and you couldn’t make it stick…Your as yellow as a frog belly.” • Racism = Crooks: “Well, you keep your place then nigger. I could get you strung up…” • Ageism = Candy: “I’ve had him since he was a pup. God he was a good sheep dog when he was younger..” • Hero = Slim: “You hadda George, I swear you hadda” • Everyman = George: “An I got you. We got each other, that’s what give s a hoot….about us..”

7. What’s up with the title? • Scottish poem “To a Mouse [on turning her up in her nest with the plough]” (Robert Burns, 1785) • What’s a plough? • Where was this nest? • What do you think happened to the mouse? • Who’s in charge in this situation? • What connection can you already see to the novel? • Think Lennie....hmmm.... • How are mice and men similar? • How are mice and men different?

8. Of Mice and Men Tone • What’s tone, you ask? Why, it’s the author’s attitude towards the subject matter! • How does Steinbeck feel about Lennie? How does he feel about George? • What is Steinbeck’s view on the economical and societal climate of the time period? (Think “The Flood” from our author study!) • Which characters does he cast in a good light?

9. Of Mice and MenTragedy • A classic tragedy entails... • A main character falling from high stature • A main character who faces a reversal • A flaw in the main character that leads to a downfall • Who is our main character? What is his flaw? • What requirement does our main character miss? • Does this make you like him more or less?

10. Let’s talk style! • Steinbeck is known for his simplistic, understated style • Word choice is easy to understand • Brief but compelling descriptions of characters and setting • Steinbeck’s topic choices are complex • Companionship, love, racism, ageism, loneliness, struggles • How does he do it? Pack so much meaning in so few words? We feel it....but why?

11. Setting as Symbols • Ask yourself what purpose the setting serves • Ask yourself what happens in the setting • Ask yourself what broader meaning different element of that setting could have on a broader level • Find evidence to back up your idea • If you can prove it, you can use it!

12. Let’s practice setting as a symbol • The pool by the river • What is the purpose of this place? • What are all of the events that happen here? • Elements of this place: • Water • Brush • Nature • Animals • Why did the author choose to have the events happen here?

13. Symbolism • Ask yourself what purpose the item has in the novel and whether it is something negative or positive • Ask yourself what common characteristics are associated with the item in the novel and regularly • Ask yourself which character is associated with the item • Ask yourself what meaning this item has to this character and if it’s different for one character versus another character • What does this item stand for to the characters? To the reader? • Find evidence to back up your idea • If you can prove it, you can use it!

14. Let’s practice other symbols! • Rabbits • What purpose do the rabbits serve? • Where do you find them in the novel? • Do they have a negative or a positive connotation in the context of the novel? • What character is associated with them? What attitude does this character have towards them? How do other characters feel about them? • What attributes are commonly associated with them? Is this the same for the character or different?

15. Foreshadowing • Foreshadowing is when an author has given the reader clues to what is going to happen • You can’t analyze foreshadowing until the end of the novel! • Let’s figure out what the clues were for each of these events: • Death • Killing • Secret hiding place

16. Theme topic – Weakness and Human Nature • One of the themes is that a part of human nature is to show one’s own power and some times those of us who would be considered stronger prey upon those that are weak. How do each of these characters fit this life lesson? • George • Crooks • Curley’s Wife

17. Theme Topic – Loneliness and Isolation • Another theme is that our lives are vastly improved if we are lucky enough to have someone to share them with. How does the author demonstrate this through... • Candy • Crooks • Curley’s Wife

18. Theme Topic – Unfulfilled Dreams • A last major theme in the novel is the idea that a goal is vital to our existence even if one is never able to reach the goal. This is demonstrated through these characters... • Lennie • George • Candy • Curley’s Wife