Of Mice & MenJohn Steinbeck :9/21/08 D. Vega, South Western High School Of Mice & MenJohn Steinbeck The Big Ideas


Big Idea #1: George’s DreamThe Fading American Dream :Fall 2008 D. Vega, South Western High School Big Idea #1: George’s DreamThe Fading American Dream Based on Jeffersonian Ideal of an Agrarian Society: Jefferson believed that the US should remain a land of farmers and ranchers with deep ties to the land. Ever since, land ownership has become every American’s dream.


Two Disasters Collapse Dream :Fall 2008 D. Vega, South Western High School Two Disasters Collapse Dream The stock market crash of October of 1929 ruins businesses causes massive unemployment (25% unemployment) reduces production of basic resources (50% drop) destroys jobs The Dust Bowl (1931-1939) of the Midwestern and Southern Plains displaces millions of Americans.


Two Disasters Collapse Dream (cont’d) :Fall 2008 D. Vega, South Western High School Two Disasters Collapse Dream (cont’d) Both disasters cause an exodus to the last beacon of hope: California 200,000 migrants head to CA Rich agricultural lands Hollywood (creates “dreams” via movie industry, providing an escape from a harsh reality; many dream of becoming movie stars)


Two Disasters Collapse Dream(cont’d) :Fall 2008 D. Vega, South Western High School Two Disasters Collapse Dream(cont’d) Examples from novel Crooks dreams of freedom from oppression and loneliness Curley’s Wife dreams of Hollywood fame; dreams of true companionship George and Lennie dream of own farm where they can “live off the fatta the land.” Candy dreams of a place where he belongs and is useful (the dream farm)


Big Idea #2: Steinbeck’s Group Man Theory :Fall 2008 D. Vega, South Western High School Big Idea #2: Steinbeck’s Group Man Theory Naturalist Idea stems from Darwin’s Theory of Evolution Man has a Predatory Nature Survival of the fittest Exploitation of the weak by the powerful (the weak remain powerless)


Big Idea #2: Steinbeck’s “Group Man” Theory (cont’d) :Fall 2008 D. Vega, South Western High School Big Idea #2: Steinbeck’s “Group Man” Theory (cont’d) To survive, man forms “groups” that function as individual social “organisms.” The individuals that make up the group have a common goal. Unfortunately, groups are created by like individuals: the weak stick to the weak and the strong stick to the strong


Big Idea #2: Steinbeck’s “Group Man” Theory (cont’d) :Fall 2008 D. Vega, South Western High School Big Idea #2: Steinbeck’s “Group Man” Theory (cont’d) Examples from novel Curley’s abuse of power picks on Lennie controls wife Carlson’s killing of Candy’s dog disregards old man’s attachment to dog Curley’s wife’s racism against Crooks reminds him she can have him lynched


Big Idea #2: Steinbeck’s “Group Man” Theory (cont’d) :Fall 2008 D. Vega, South Western High School Big Idea #2: Steinbeck’s “Group Man” Theory (cont’d) Examples from novel Many characters have weaknesses that render them “unfit” for survival: Candy (old age and loss of limb) Lennie (mental retardation) Crooks (broken back; race) Curley’s Wife (gender) Curley himself gets his hand mangled (can no longer fight like a man – must use weapons)


Big Idea #3: Biblical Allusions :Fall 2008 D. Vega, South Western High School Big Idea #3: Biblical Allusions The Fall of Man (Loss of Paradise) The Garden of Eden is a paradise where God provides Adam and Eve all of life’s necessities: food, water, shelter, peace, love. Man’s Imperfect Nature (in this case, Adam and Eve’s disobedience of God’s order not to eat from a certain tree) loses Man paradise. Man “falls” from the grace of God, who banishes Man from Eden.


Big Idea #3: Biblical Allusions (cont’d) :Fall 2008 D. Vega, South Western High School Big Idea #3: Biblical Allusions (cont’d) Examples in novel Paradise Imagery: Setting in chapters 1 & 6 “golden foothill slopes” Quiet and natural with sycamores, sand, leaves, a gentle breeze, and a pristine pool Populated by rabbits, lizards, herons, and water snakes Man’s presence is limited to George and Lennie


Big Idea #3: Biblical Allusions (cont’d) :Fall 2008 D. Vega, South Western High School Big Idea #3: Biblical Allusions (cont’d) Examples in novel Dream’s Imagery Parallels Garden of Eden “a little house and a couple of acres an’ a cow and some pigs” “we’ll have a big vegetable garden patch and a rabbit hutch and chickens” “fire in the stove”


Big Idea #3: Biblical Allusions :Fall 2008 D. Vega, South Western High School Big Idea #3: Biblical Allusions Examples in novel Slim (perhaps a “god” figure or “spiritual” leader?) Peaceful and content even in poverty Listens without judgment to George Understands beyond words Performs euthanasia with Lulu’s pups Approves of Carlson shooting Candy’s dog Orders Curley to lie about hand getting caught in a machine Comforts George: “Come on, George. Me an’ you’ll go in an’ get a drink (communion?). You hadda, George. I swear you hadda. Come on with me (spiritual leader?).” George follows him to the highway (God’s way? Is Slim a Christ figure?).


Big Idea #3: Biblical Allusions (cont’d) :Fall 2008 D. Vega, South Western High School Big Idea #3: Biblical Allusions (cont’d) Examples in novel Lennie as the “Tempted Adam” Obsession with soft things leads him to do “bad things” (equivalence of Eve’s sin) It is this obsession that leads to George’s and Lennie’s loss of the dream (paradise).


Big Idea #3: Biblical Allusions (cont’d) :Fall 2008 D. Vega, South Western High School Big Idea #3: Biblical Allusions (cont’d) Examples in novel Curley’s Wife as “Temptress Eve” Eve tempts Adam to eat the forbidden fruit; consequence: Loss of Paradise Curly’s Wife (also innocent) tempts Lennie to feel her hair; consequence: Loss of Men’s Dream


Big Idea #3: Biblical Allusions (cont’d) :Fall 2008 D. Vega, South Western High School Big Idea #3: Biblical Allusions (cont’d) Examples in novel Men’s Weaknesses Men cannot save enough money due to temptations: women, drink, and gambling


Big Idea #3: Biblical Allusions (cont’d) :Fall 2008 D. Vega, South Western High School Big Idea #3: Biblical Allusions (cont’d) Examples in novel Characters as Flawed/Imperfect Man George = overly optimistic; unwilling to acknowledge Lennie’s wrongdoings and dangerous tendencies Lennie = low intellect; lack of self-control Carlson = selfish; violent Candy = old; mutilated Crooks = broken spirit; bitter Curley = abusive; self-centered; violent Curley’s wife = flirtatious;


Big Idea #3: Biblical Allusions (cont’d) :Fall 2008 D. Vega, South Western High School Big Idea #3: Biblical Allusions (cont’d) Examples in novel George and Lennie as Cain and Abel (Brotherhood) Cain kills Abel (out of envy) and is banished to suffer in loneliness and despair George kills Lennie (out of compassion) and is banished to suffer alone in the world