Of Mice and Men Notes

Question 1

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

Answer 1

poetic

Question 2

The ____ uses ______ _____________ that provide images for the reader, and instead focuses on the ______________ and ___________.

Answer 2

prose; few descriptions; explanations and details

Question 3

While of Mice and Men contains passages of description (specifically from chapters one, five, and six), a majority of the text is free from ___________.

Answer 3

metaphor

Question 4

Naturalist writing explores ________ ___________ in a mostly ___________ ____________.

Answer 4

sociological conditions; objective manner

Question 5

Naturalist writing explores __________ between ________ _________, particularly _____________ of workers.

Answer 5

conflicts; social classes: exploitation

Question 6

Steinbeck’s examination of both the __________ and ________ describe American politics in the 1930s.

Answer 6

microcosm; macrocosm

Question 7

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

Answer 7

migrant workers; 1930

Question 8

Naturalist writers _______ ________ that tend to focus on one __________ ___________, in order to document society, gathering ________ ____.

Answer 8

create stories; specific occupation; specific data

Question 9

Also, because the literature focuses on one occupation or trade ________ is usually ________ to one less-than-ideal place, in the case of Of Mice and Men, a ranch.

Answer 9

setting; limited

Question 10

The setting provides a ________ look at the most _______ aspects of life that accompany _______ - _________ and basic _____ ______.

Answer 10

detailed; brutal; self-preservation; human needs

Question 11

Steinbeck used his _______ experience, as well as his experience in the ________ ________ in order to create a novel that is almost more _________ than literature.

Answer 11

ranching; Salinas valley; textbook

Question 12

Naturalist writers create stories in which the _______ or ______ is an observer in the story.

Answer 12

narrator; reader

Question 13

The characters created in the story, devoid of free will, are inserted into specific _____ and observed as they _____ with what fate presents.

Answer 13

plot; cope

Question 14

In Of Mice and Men, many of the characters strive for the ___________ _______.

Answer 14

American Dream

Question 15

_______ and ________ 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.

Answer 15

Lennie; George

Question 16

The novel is written as a ____ - _____, or a cross between ____ and ______.

Answer 16

play-novel; novel; drama

Question 17

Each of the six chapters is an _________ ________: action takes place in one scene and opens with a description of that scene.

Answer 17

extended episode

Question 18

In each of the six chapters, characters enter and exit the scene with what seems like _______ __________.

Answer 18

stage directions

Question 19

Because of the large amount of ________, when the novel was actually rewritten as a play, much of dialogue remained the same.

Answer 19

dialogue

Question 20

The novel is economical: the language is _______, the dialogue _________ knit, the most _______ vocabulary is about _______ ___________.

Answer 20

simple; tightly; complex; farm equipment

Question 21

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

Answer 21

symbolism; foreshadowing

Question 22

When a Naturalist writer, Steinbeck still employs _________ and ________ devices from time for the sake of _____ _______ and _______.

Answer 22

literary; figurative; tone; mood; meaning

Question 23

2. Metaphor and Imagery
   Throughout the novel, Steinbeck uses _________ _________ to describe his characters.
   ex. in notes

Answer 23

animal imagery

Question 24

1. Simile
   Be certain not to miss the “_____” and “______” when reading descriptions.
   ex. in notes

Answer 24

like; as

Question 25

3. Foreshadowing
   These examples are not ____, but instead directly lead the reader to the conclusion.
   ex. in notes

Answer 25

subtle

Question 26

__________-the ranch workers are lonely, as often migrant workers, and we see other characters, such as _________ wife, who are lonely which leads to _______.

Answer 26

Loneliness; Curley’s; conflict

Question 27

_____ and ________- 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.

Answer 27

Hopes; Dreams; isolation; American Dream

Question 28

__________ and _______-the workers aspirations of their dreams leads them to have dignity and pride in what they ____ and how they ____.

Answer 28

Dignity; Pride; do; work

Question 29

___________ of ________- choosing between _______ and _______ and standing up for what they think is just even when others may not agree.

Answer 29

Sense; Morality; right; wrong

Question 30

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

Answer 30

Lennie

Question 31

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

Answer 31

George

Question 32

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

Answer 32

Candy

Question 33

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

Answer 33

Curley

Question 34

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

Answer 34

Curley’s wife

Question 35

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

Answer 35

Crooks

Question 36

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

Answer 36

Slim

Question 37

Ranch worker who does not like Candy’s smelly dog.

Answer 37

Carlson

Question 38

Narrator knows thoughts, feelings and actions of all characters and comments accordingly.

Answer 38

Third person omniscient

Question 39

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.

Answer 39

3; circular

Question 40

1. The clearing by the pool, _______ evening

Answer 40

Thursday

Question 41

2. The ______ house, _______ morning

Answer 41

bunk; Friday

Question 42

3. The bunk house, Friday ______

Answer 42

night

Question 43

4. The _______ room in barn, ______ evening

Answer 43

harness; Saturday

Question 44

5. The _____, Sunday ______

Answer 44

barn; afternoon

Question 45

6. The clearing by the pool, Sunday ______

Answer 45

evening