Of Mice and Men Notes Quiz

i love tiff

Naturalist writing is devoid of many _______ features that authors might use.

poetic

The prose of naturalist writing uses few descriptions that provide images for the reader, and instead, focuses on the _________ and __________. While Of Mice and Men contains passages of description (specifically the beginnings of chapters one, five, and six), a majority of the text is free from metaphor.

explanations; details

Naturalist writing explores __________ ___________ in a mostly objective manner, rather than focusing on the beauty of the language and story.

sociological conditions

Naturalist writing explores conflicts between ________________, particularly the ___________________ by those in positions of power. For example, in Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck examines a microcosm of America by creating George and Lennie as characters who are trying to survive on a ranch, while at the same time creating a story that reflects the larger societal conflicts at hand—the lack of public policy to aid those afflicted by poverty and homelessness.

social classes; exploitation of workers

Steinbeck’s explanation of both the __________ and ___________ describe American politics in the 1930s.

microcosm; macrocosm

Similar to the social commentary provided by Naturalist literature, Of Mice and Men is also a document of __________________.

migrant workers in the 1930s.

Naturalist writers create stories that tend to focus on ___________________ in order to document society, gathering _____________ about actual life before writing.

one specific occupation or trade; specific data

Because Naturalist literature focuses on one occupation or trade, the __________ is usually limited to one less-than-ideal place, in the case Of Mice and Men, a ranch. The setting provides a detailed look at the most brutal aspects of life that accompany _______________ and _______________.

setting; self-preservation; basic human needs

In Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck used his __________________ as well as his experience in the _______________ in order to create a novel that is more _____________ than _____________.

ranching experience; Salinas Valley; textbook than literature

Naturalist writers create stories in which the _______________ is an ____________ in the story. The characters created in the story, devoid of free will, inserted into ______________ and observed as they cope with what fate presents.

narrator or reader; observer; specific plots

In Of Mice and Men, many of the characters strive for the _______________. Lennie and George want only to make enough money to buy their own land; however, the characters are robbed of their dream by circumstances that seem beyond their control.

American Dream

Of Mice and Men is written as a _____________, or a cross between a __________ and __________. Each of the six chapters is an _____________: action takes place in one scene and opens with a description of that scene.

play-novel; novel and drama; extended episode

In each of the six chapters, characters enter and exit the scene with what seems like _______________. Because of the large amount of _________, when the novel was actually rewritten as a play, much of the dialogue remained the same.

stage directions; dialogue

The novel is economical: the language is ________, the dialogue __________, and the most complex vocabulary is about ________________.

simple; tightly-knit; farm equipment

There are very few ___________ in the novel and any ___________ or __________ deliberately points to the inevitable end.

characters; symbolism; foreshadowing

While a Naturalist writer, Steinbeck still employs _________ and ____________ devices from time to time for the sake of ______, ______, and ________.

literary and figurative; tone, mood, and meaning

What are the figurative techniques Steinbeck uses in Of Mice and Men?

Simile, metaphor and imagery, foreshadowing

Simile: Be certain not the miss the _____ or ___ when reading the descriptions. For example, when Steinbeck describes the setting he writes: “On the sand banks the rabbits sat as quietly as little gray, sculptured stones.” The comparison not only establishes the peacefulness of the scene, but also suggests the lifelessness of it. As events in the novel transpire, the dream of the “rabbits” will, in a sense, turn to stone.

like; as

Metaphor and Imagery: Throughout the novel, Steinbeck uses ________________ to describe his characters. For example, when George and Lennie are by the pond, “Lennie dabbled his big paw in the water and wiggled his fingers so the water arose in little splashes…” The image of the paw suggests that Lennie is a very large and powerful man.

animal imagery

Foreshadowing: There are quite a few incidents of subtle foreshadowing in Of Mice and Men. The examples are ______ __________, but instead directly lead the reader to the conclusion. For example, the comparison of the rabbits to lifeless stone sculptures foreshadows the death of George and Lennie’s dream. Also, in the first chapter, George warns Lennie that if anything happens while they are at the ranch, Lennie should return to the clearing, clearly suggesting that something will indeed happen.

not subtle

Themes present in Of Mice and Men

loneliness, hopes & dreams, dignity & pride, and sense of morality

Loneliness - the ranch workers are lonely, as they are often migrant workers, and we see other characters, such as _________ ______, who are lonely which leads to _________.

Curley’s wife; conflict

Hopes & Dreams - several characters are searching for a way to overcome ___________ and low statuses. Many are trying to work toward their ______________ of owning and farming their own land one day.

isolation; American Dream

Dignity & Pride - the workers’ aspirations of their dreams leads them to have dignity and pride in what they ___ and how they _____.

do; work

Sense of Morality - choosing between ____________ and standing up for what they think is ______, even when others may not agree.

right and wrong; just

migrant worker with a mild mental disability who does not understand his own strength, often resulting in the death of animals

Lennie

migrant worker who travels with and cares for Lennie. He is much smaller than Lennie, but still tries to protect him from danger

George

an older ranch worker who has a dog. Later wants to join George and Lennie in owning and running a farm. Missing a hand

Candy

the boss’s son. Appears to have “little man syndrome/Napoleon complex” in his style and behaviors. Aggressive man and controlling of his wife

Curley

lonely, unnamed wife of Curley. The only female in the novel who is not respected by the men

Curley’s wife

black stable-hand with a crooked back who others shun because of his color. Very funny guy who gets along with Lennie

Crooks

most self-aware and self-loving man in the novel. a good man who others look up to

Slim

ranch worker who does not like Candy’s smelly dog

Carlson

What point of view is Of Mice and Men written?

Third person omniscient

Third person omniscient - narrator knows thoughts, feelings, and actions of _____ characters and comments accordingly

all

Of Mice and Men takes place over the course of ___ days. A ________ structure in that the first scene is by the clearing by the pool, and the last scene also concludes the novella at the clearing by the pool.

3; circular

1. The clearing by the pool, ___________ evening.

2. The ______ house, ________ morning

3. The bunk house, Friday ________

4. The __________ room in barn, _________ evening

5. The_____, Sunday ____________

6. The clearing by the pool, Sunday _________

1. Thursday

2. Bunk; Friday

3. night

4. harness; Saturday

5. barn; afternoon

6. evening