Writing Prompts for Of Mice and Men
Always refer to context: MORELARV
Migrant workers : their lifestyle, concerns, dreams, needs, daily life
Obvious hierarchy : refer to class, wealth, hierarchy of race, gender, intellect and physicality. How do the
hierarchies change? Do all of the characters chare the same ideas of what is important?
Role of men or women : are the men/women fulfilling their stereotypical roles? Why or why not?
Effects of prejudice : prejudice of race, gender, physical ability, intellect, class, size
Loneliness : why are the characters isolated and what impact does this have on their thoughts and
actions?
American dream : consider ideas about land, independence, achieving through hard work, being able to
achieve beyond your class and social standings
Relationships : how do the characters relate to each other? Is this influenced by their social standing in
wider society? Do they conform to the normal expectations of what their relationship should be? What do
they perhaps have in common, despite their apparent differences?
Violence : consider different types of violence – physical, verbal, emotional, natural, necessary, merciful –
and what the causes might be. How do the episodes of violence reflect what is happening in wider
America?
Useful phrases:
Contrary to contemporary beliefs/society,... This character/episode mirrors the context because...
As seen in wider American society,... Steinbeck believed that... and therefore shows...
The character X symbolises the Y of American society.... Interestingly, ...
Steinbeck uses this character/setting/theme to reflect.... It is significant that...
In light of 1930s attitudes toward X,... To give an illustration of American
attitudes to...
Steinbeck’s compelling depiction of.... reflects... Issues raised are still relevant today because...
The depiction of X is arguably controversial because...
Steinbeck uses the character/setting/event of X to elaborate on...
Steinbeck draws on the experiences of... Like character X, many people were struggling with...
The character’/setting/event is used by Steinbeck to...
Analytical Verbs
convey highlight demonstrate illustrate portray depict explore
create examine expose imply inform present represent
symbolise reveal show signify suggest support echo
Always refer to context: MORELARV
Migrant workers : their lifestyle, concerns, dreams, needs, daily life
Obvious hierarchy : refer to class, wealth, hierarchy of race, gender, intellect and physicality. How do the
hierarchies change? Do all of the characters chare the same ideas of what is important?
Role of men or women : are the men/women fulfilling their stereotypical roles? Why or why not?
Effects of prejudice : prejudice of race, gender, physical ability, intellect, class, size
Loneliness : why are the characters isolated and what impact does this have on their thoughts and
actions?
American dream : consider ideas about land, independence, achieving through hard work, being able to
achieve beyond your class and social standings
Relationships : how do the characters relate to each other? Is this influenced by their social standing in
wider society? Do they conform to the normal expectations of what their relationship should be? What do
they perhaps have in common, despite their apparent differences?
Violence : consider different types of violence – physical, verbal, emotional, natural, necessary, merciful –
and what the causes might be. How do the episodes of violence reflect what is happening in wider
America?
Useful phrases:
Contrary to contemporary beliefs/society,... This character/episode mirrors the context because...
As seen in wider American society,... Steinbeck believed that... and therefore shows...
The character X symbolises the Y of American society.... Interestingly, ...
Steinbeck uses this character/setting/theme to reflect.... It is significant that...
In light of 1930s attitudes toward X,... To give an illustration of American
attitudes to...
Steinbeck’s compelling depiction of.... reflects... Issues raised are still relevant today because...
The depiction of X is arguably controversial because...
Steinbeck uses the character/setting/event of X to elaborate on...
Steinbeck draws on the experiences of... Like character X, many people were struggling with...
The character’/setting/event is used by Steinbeck to...
Analytical Verbs
convey highlight demonstrate illustrate portray depict explore
create examine expose imply inform present represent
symbolise reveal show signify suggest support echo
