Of Mice and Men Background Notes

1. Of Mice and MenBackground Notes

2. The definition used most often in the U.S. is from the American Association on Mental Retardation (AAMR). According to AAMR, mental retardation is a disability that occurs before age 18. It is characterized by significant limitations in intellectualfunctioning and adaptive behavior as expressed in conceptual, social and practical adaptive skills. It is diagnosed through the use of standardized tests of intelligence and adaptive behavior. AAMR points out that both functioning and adaptive behavior are affected positively by individualized supports (AAMR, 2002). What is Mental Retardation?

3. Lower intelligence and limited skills Conceptual skills: reading/writing; money • → • → Social skills: friendships; responsibility; rules (written and unwritten) • → • → Practical skills: eating; hygiene • → • → Mental Retardation:

4. Migrant workers: Move from place to place to make money Construction, mining, farming Mostly men –some as young as 14 Earned $2.50-3.00/day New Deal programs –find work through agencies Great Depression 1920’s-30’s

5. Dialect: Reflection of time, place, educational background and social status Great Depression 1920’s-30’s (continued) TIME: 1920-30’s: tart - 1950’s: neato 1960’s: groovy 1970’s: far out 1980’s: rad 1990’s: phat 2000’s: snap – dog PLACE: Northeast: soda – sneakers Midwest: pop – tennis shoes South: Coke – y’all

6. Great Depression 1920’s-30’s (continued) Dialect (continued): Reflection of time, place, educational background and social status SOCIAL STATUS: born into the “right” family (with money) manners; larger vocabulary EDUCATIONAL: amount of education (schooling) at this time, working was more important than going to school words: not appropriate for an educated person to use not for shock value for artistry; realistic

7. The Great Depression began on October 24, 1929 with the crash of the stock market. The state of the Union was very low. There were no jobs to be had and those who had jobs were losing them. The value of the dollar was almost zero. In order to obtain goods, people had to barter or trade. Great Depression 1920’s-30’s (continued)

8. Great Depression 1920’s-30’s (continued)

9. The Great Depression ended when the US joined forces in WWII in 1941. FDR was elected to serve 4 terms in office, but died in his last term and therefore did not serve the entire 4 terms. FDR is best known for the New Deal Era (the implementation of government social services). Great Depression 1920’s-30’s (continued)

10. Think about: • Why did the joining of the war end the depression? • What is so important about the Acts that were passed in the above timeline? • Who and what are they meant to serve and help? Great Depression 1920’s-30’s (continued)

11. Setting: • on a ranch (farm) in the town of Soledad; on the Salinas River in California; • 1929-1930s= Great Depression Of Mice and Men

12. Author: John Steinbeck • Born:1902 in Salinas, CA • Education: went to Stanford University (CA) • Never graduated – dropped out • Couldn’t choose one area of study • 1935-Tortilla Flat: 1st book to make money • 1937-Of Mice and Men: best seller • 1939- Grapes of Wrath: most popular/about the dust bowl • 1962- wins Nobel Prize for Literature • Writing: focused on people • Died: 1968 Of Mice and Men

13. Western United states