Summary: Of Mice And Men

Of Mice and Men Study Guide
Due on Turnitin by 11:59 pm Dec. 19, 2014

Author Notes: John Steinbeck born in Salinas, California in 1902 attended Stanford and then moved all the way to New York City in 1952. He later died in 1968.

Setting (time, place, people): This novella takes place in California, near Soledad. This takes place between the Great Depression and World War II, it was published in 1937.

Genre Fiction and Tragedy

Tragedy:
In the end Lennie dies when George shoots him after Lennie had killed Curley’s wife.

Tragic Hero:
George is the tragic hero because he parented Lennie. He kept Lennie out of trouble and always protected him and also helps him get jobs. George is the only one who really understands Lennie and he's the

His mental illness cause him to do things that get him into trouble and because of that he cannot keep a job. It also causes him to be too touchy sometimes which leads to him being violent, like when he first kills the mouse, then the puppy, and lastly Curley’s wife.

Irony:
When Lennie beats up Curley, who is a fighter.

Imagery:
“There is a path through the willows and among the sycamores, a path beaten hard by boys coming down from the ranches to swim in the deep pool, and beaten hard by tramps who come wearily down from the highway in the evening to jungle-up near water. In front of the low horizontal limb of a giant sycamore there is an ash pile made by many fires; the limb is worn smooth by men who have sat on it.” (page 1-2)

“The old man came slowly into the room. He had his broom in his hand. And at his heels there walked a dragfooted sheepdog, gray of muzzle, and with

He is sympathetic to George and Lennie and is very smart and nice.

Crooks
Was kicked by a house which now causes him to have a messed u back and is segregated on the ranch because of his race but he still wants to be friends with the men on the Ranch.

Curley
Short-Tempered, small, and is very rude to his wife and doesn't appreciate her. He also very much dislikes any man taler than him.

Curley’s Wife
She claims that she could have been famous in Hollywood and be in movies. She craves attention from everyone and she hates her husband Curley. She is killed by Lennie in the barn.

Dog
Very old, he smells horrendous, but Candy loves him, but Carlson shoots him in the back of the head. This cause Candy to be depressed.

Boss
Curley’s father and owner of the Ranch. He’s rude but still gives George and Lennie the job.

Themes:
Isolation vs. Friendship - George is annoyed by parenting Lennie and keeping him out of trouble 24/7, but he also doesn't want him to go.

Plot Diagram:
Exposition:
George and Lennie are on their way to the Ranch for jobs. And on the way Lennie has a dead mouse in his jacket that he does not want to get rid of, but George throws it away.

Rising