Of Mice and Men’ Revision 1

8/7/2019 Of Mice and Men Revision 1

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Of Mice and Men

Revision


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Two Assessment Objectives

This question tests only two objectives:

AO1 respond to texts critically, sensitively and in

detail, selecting appropriateways to convey theirresponse , using textual evidence as appropriate

AO2 Explore howlanguage, structure and forms

contribute to meanings, considering different

approaches and alternative interpretations


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Remember!

S (Structure)

E (Evidence)

L (Language)

F (Form)


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If you only write about characters and

events you cannot score highly because you

cannot address AO2!

Look back at your practice answer to see

what you need to target to improve your

marks.


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What does t

he title mean?

Of mice and men is part of a line fromBurns poem ,To a Mouse

The best laid plans of mice and men gangoft agley

This means that dreams are unreliable, and

often let us dow

n. Ultimately, Steinbecks message is a

pessimistic one.


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Who in t

he novel

has a dream?

Lennie and, to a lesser extent, George wantto live off the fatta the lan

Curleys wife wants to be a movie star

Candy wants to share George and Lenniesdream

Crooks even gets drawn into their dream,but perhaps has his own in whichhe istreated without prejudice


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None of them achieve their dream

Yet they all cling to it

With the exception of Lennie, they all

probably know that dreams dont come true

So why do they still pursue their dreams?


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Structure Novel structured in a number ofways

Choose those that are appropriate to the

question

Linear, chronological structure that covers

four days: Thursday afternoon to Sunday

evening.

Short space of time in whichwe learn a lot


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Structure The novel is structured by chains of events that

foreshadow others

The incident inWeed foreshadows the incident inthe barn with Curleyswife.

The death of the mouse foreshadows the death of

the puppy, in both Lennie accidentally kills them

while petting them, which of course foreshadows

his killing of Curleys wife.


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Structure The shooting of Candys dog foreshadows

George shooting Lennie at the end of the

book

Get the sequences clear in your mind. To

say that each of the killings foreshadows the

others is inaccurate.


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Structure The opening of each chapter makes great play of

light and darkness

The shadows gradually become more obvious andcreate lines or bars which are ominous

The novel begins and ends in the same place

perhaps underlining the futility of the dream

they are backwhere they started but look at how

differently Steinbeck describes the place


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Structure As the narrative progresses the opening of each

chapter carries more implied threat; look at the

descriptions The reader is subtly prepared for the ending but

when Lennie is finally shot by George it is

shocking

Per haps Steinbeck needs to shockhis readers into

realisation that the lives of those he describes in

this story are dreadful.


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Some features of Language Biblical cadence in opening chapter,

suggests that Steinbecks novel deals in

fundamental morality

This extends to the imagery of the snake

connotations of The Fall in the Garden of

Eden.We are invited to consider theimplications - loss of innocence


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Some features of Language Style makes very economic use of language

no strings of adjectives

The language suits the lifestyle he describes

Creates realism we are encouraged toview the characters and events as if theyw

ere real But nevertheless the opening and closing

descriptions are poetic


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Some features of Language Steinbeck contrasts the peace and violence

of nature underlining the way it can change

very quickly, as can man. Use of speech verbs sometimes they are

used frequently, reminding us who isspeaking

Sometimes they are omitted creating a morefluent conversation study this closely


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Some features of Language Use of colour especially with Curleyswife

Look at verbs, adverbs and adjectives usedin descriptions of characters they revealthe authors opinion.With Curleys wifethis seems to change

We can see where Steinbecks sympathyand respect lie.


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Language The speech of the characters is realistic it

is colloquial and includes typical American

slang they shorten theirwords and drop letters

For example: Spose you didnt have

nobody. Spose you couldnt go into thebunkhouse and play rummy cause you was

black. Howd you like that?


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Language However, Steinbeck manages to suggest

different characters by the differences in the

way they speak.

Who says each of these?

Ill put the old devil outa his misery right

now and get it overwith.

Better let him go, Candy.


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Language This heres my room. Nobody got any right

in here but me.

I forgot. I tried not to forget.

Now you listen and this time you got to

remember so we dont get in no trouble.

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Of Mice and Men’ Revision 1

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