Intro to Of Mice and Men

1. Of Mice and Men
by
John Steinbeck
Introduction
Havo 4 period 3

2. Why?
The goals
Reading books is a very good way
to learn new words ‘by accident’.
Improving reading (understanding
and speed).
Learning new literary terms.
Looking at literature in a
different way. (not just as a story,
but more in-depth)
Understanding this book in a
different way.

3. How to pass
Writing Test on the book
You will be judged on:
Knowledge of the
book
Themes, characters,
symbols etc.
Writing skills
Spelling, grammar,
Use of English etc.

4. The book
Of Mice and Men
Novella
John Steinbeck
Published in 1937
Set in California
About the Great Depression
Required reading in many
(American) schools.

5. The book
Of Mice and Men
Banned from various
American public and
school libraries for:
“Promoting euthanasia”
Being racist
Vulgarity
Offensive and racist
language

6. The Great Depression
A background
Worldwide economic
depression
Started in the United
States on September
4th, 1929.
Black Tuesday: October
29th.
Ended mid-1930s

7. The Great Depression
A background
In the United States:
Unemployment 25% (13 million people)
2 million homeless people
International trade -50%
273.000 people evicted from homes
80% fewer houses built
In the mining states of West Virginia, Illinois,
Kentucky and Pennsylvania, the proportion of
malnourished children was as high as 90%

8. The author
John Steinbeck
John Ernst Steinbeck Jr.
February 27, 1902 –
December 20, 1968
Nobel Prize in Literature
in 1962 for Grapes of
Wrath.
27 books

9. The author
John Steinbeck
Most of his work is set in
southern and central California,
particularly in the Salinas Valley.
Many of his works are
considered classics.
Other famous works;
Tortilla Flat (1935)
Grapes of Wrath (1939)
Also about the depression
Pulitzer Prize (1940)

10. The book and film
Two main characters,
George & Lennie.
Made into a movie 3 times:
1939
1982
1992 (we will watch this
version in class)

11. YouTube link

12. Schedule
6 parts, we will read 1 or 2 parts
each week. Finish in 4 weeks.
At home:
Read the book.
In class:
Discussion/explanation about
the part(s) read.
Full schedule, all presentations
and all info on ItsLearning ->
studiewijzer.