Of Mice and Men Revision
Make sure you are constantly using quotes and saying why
Relate EVEYTHING to Steinbeck and WHY the author Steinbeck has created
the characters to be like they are
Speak about the audience and why Steinbeck does certain things to
influence our views on things.
Say a lot about a little
Give alternative interpretations (more than one per point)
Always refer back to Context and how Characters show the hegemony at
the time of the novella
Use ‘Steinbeck’ a lot
Structure of the novella is cyclical.
Pyramid Structure of novella:
1. Exposition – Setting/Main characters introduced
2. Inciting incident – a catalyst for conflict
3. Rising action – Series of events which keeps the reader interested
4. Climax – The main character is faced with conflict and a choice to make
5. Denouement – The consequences of the action the main character made
Some could say that Steinbeck used this structure not just to make the
book interesting but as a way to show some of the contemporary views by
applying it to characters
One character this could be applied to is Crooks. Over the book we are
given glimpses about his character but do not actually meet him until late in
the novella. This could show how many black people were pre-judged
solely because of their colour instead of waiting to see what he is like.
How to answer the question:
Part A: 3 points from the extract
Part B: Introduction with one point about the theme, 3 paragraphs about
separate events with 2/3 points which are well analysed and back up what
you said in your introduction.
Character Interpretations
Lennie:
, Lennie shows the audience the harsh reality of society whilst also
emphasising the animalistic nature of some men
“don’t know no rules”
o Lennie is the most innocent person however as he does not understand
the rules of society.
o Could also be Steinbeck actually saying how, without rules, men are
animalistic killers who show no remorse in doing so.
George: “God a'mighty, if I was alone I could live so easy”
George is used in the novella to show how some people are fated to lonely
lives despite how hard they try to change this (Lennie and the dream)
“God a'mighty, if I was alone I could live so easy”
o Although George is shown as angry at times, deep down he is a genuinely
nice character who wants Lennie’s best interest
o Could be seen as a prayer, George praying to be released from Lennie.
This might mean that Lennie’s death, whilst prevented him from Curley
torturing him, also meant that God answered his prayers and relieved
him of his duty to watching Lennie.
Curley:
Curley seems to be used as a catalyst to show the audience how all the
male characters resort to violence
“you seen that glove on his left hand”
o Reminds us that Curley is a boxer, Steinbeck possibly trying to further
show how men deal with everything through violence from the ending
to even when Curley challenges Slim and has to back down. (status)
o The fact the glove is supposed to be full of Vaseline. Could show how his
wife is a trophy, using the glove to show off to the other ranch workers
how they are below him in status. (women in society)
Make sure you are constantly using quotes and saying why
Relate EVEYTHING to Steinbeck and WHY the author Steinbeck has created
the characters to be like they are
Speak about the audience and why Steinbeck does certain things to
influence our views on things.
Say a lot about a little
Give alternative interpretations (more than one per point)
Always refer back to Context and how Characters show the hegemony at
the time of the novella
Use ‘Steinbeck’ a lot
Structure of the novella is cyclical.
Pyramid Structure of novella:
1. Exposition – Setting/Main characters introduced
2. Inciting incident – a catalyst for conflict
3. Rising action – Series of events which keeps the reader interested
4. Climax – The main character is faced with conflict and a choice to make
5. Denouement – The consequences of the action the main character made
Some could say that Steinbeck used this structure not just to make the
book interesting but as a way to show some of the contemporary views by
applying it to characters
One character this could be applied to is Crooks. Over the book we are
given glimpses about his character but do not actually meet him until late in
the novella. This could show how many black people were pre-judged
solely because of their colour instead of waiting to see what he is like.
How to answer the question:
Part A: 3 points from the extract
Part B: Introduction with one point about the theme, 3 paragraphs about
separate events with 2/3 points which are well analysed and back up what
you said in your introduction.
Character Interpretations
Lennie:
, Lennie shows the audience the harsh reality of society whilst also
emphasising the animalistic nature of some men
“don’t know no rules”
o Lennie is the most innocent person however as he does not understand
the rules of society.
o Could also be Steinbeck actually saying how, without rules, men are
animalistic killers who show no remorse in doing so.
George: “God a'mighty, if I was alone I could live so easy”
George is used in the novella to show how some people are fated to lonely
lives despite how hard they try to change this (Lennie and the dream)
“God a'mighty, if I was alone I could live so easy”
o Although George is shown as angry at times, deep down he is a genuinely
nice character who wants Lennie’s best interest
o Could be seen as a prayer, George praying to be released from Lennie.
This might mean that Lennie’s death, whilst prevented him from Curley
torturing him, also meant that God answered his prayers and relieved
him of his duty to watching Lennie.
Curley:
Curley seems to be used as a catalyst to show the audience how all the
male characters resort to violence
“you seen that glove on his left hand”
o Reminds us that Curley is a boxer, Steinbeck possibly trying to further
show how men deal with everything through violence from the ending
to even when Curley challenges Slim and has to back down. (status)
o The fact the glove is supposed to be full of Vaseline. Could show how his
wife is a trophy, using the glove to show off to the other ranch workers
how they are below him in status. (women in society)
