Lennie and George arrive at a bush camp, where Lennie drinks from a pool and they eat beans. They argue and discuss their dream of owning land. The chapter effectively sets the scene and introduces the characters of Lennie and George. Steinbeck uses descriptive language and dialogue to develop sympathy for the two men and create mystery around their relationship and dreams.

1. Of Mice and MenOf Mice and Men
Chapter 1Chapter 1
Francis GilbertFrancis Gilbert
www.francisgilbert.co.ukwww.francisgilbert.co.uk

2. What happens?What happens?
• Lennie and George arrive in the bush, LennieLennie and George arrive in the bush, Lennie
drinks from the pool, they eat beans, argue, talkdrinks from the pool, they eat beans, argue, talk
about Weed and dream of what life might be…about Weed and dream of what life might be…

3. Your reactions to the chapterYour reactions to the chapter
• How well does Steinbeck set the scene?How well does Steinbeck set the scene?
• How good is this as an introduction?How good is this as an introduction?
• Who do you feel sympathy for?Who do you feel sympathy for?

4. Synthesize and collateSynthesize and collate
• What do we learn about the problems of theWhat do we learn about the problems of the
characters in this first chapter? What do we learncharacters in this first chapter? What do we learn
about their friendship?about their friendship?
• Evaluating effectiveness of the writing.Evaluating effectiveness of the writing.
• How effective is this as an opening chapter?How effective is this as an opening chapter?
What is it about the language and structure thatWhat is it about the language and structure that
makes it interesting?makes it interesting?

5. Author techniquesAuthor techniques
• An author uses language to make a piece ofAn author uses language to make a piece of
writing interesting:writing interesting:
• Alliteration (repeated letter soundsAlliteration (repeated letter sounds
EMPHASIZE certain ideas or themes)EMPHASIZE certain ideas or themes)
• Onomatopoeia (sound words are used toOnomatopoeia (sound words are used to
EVOKE an atmosphere)EVOKE an atmosphere)
• Varying sentence structures (long/shortVarying sentence structures (long/short
sentences: simple, compound, complex)sentences: simple, compound, complex)
• Language which provokes EMOTIONS in theLanguage which provokes EMOTIONS in the
reader...

6. Authorial techniques: sympathyAuthorial techniques: sympathy
• Steinbeck takes great care to make Lennie andSteinbeck takes great care to make Lennie and
George sympathetic?George sympathetic?
• How and why does he do this?How and why does he do this?
• When are you surprised by Lennie? Touched byWhen are you surprised by Lennie? Touched by
him? Find him funny? Mysterious?him? Find him funny? Mysterious?
• When does George appeal to you and why?When does George appeal to you and why?

7. Authorial technique: descriptionAuthorial technique: description
• Steinbeck describes the countryside and the twoSteinbeck describes the countryside and the two
men briefly but decisively.men briefly but decisively.
• When and why?When and why?

8. Authorial technique: ComedyAuthorial technique: Comedy
• There is comedy in this scene, particularly whenThere is comedy in this scene, particularly when
Lennie drinks from the pool and asks for theLennie drinks from the pool and asks for the
ketchup…ketchup…
• How does Steinbeck create comedy in thisHow does Steinbeck create comedy in this
scene?scene?

9. Authorial techniques: DialogueAuthorial techniques: Dialogue
• Steinbeck has a “great ear” for how the ordinarySteinbeck has a “great ear” for how the ordinary
working men, the “bindle stiffs”, talk. Find anworking men, the “bindle stiffs”, talk. Find an
example of some great dialogue…example of some great dialogue…

10. Building tension and suspenseBuilding tension and suspense
• There is real mysteryThere is real mystery
about Lennie’sabout Lennie’s
behaviour.behaviour.
• About the relationshipAbout the relationship
between the men.between the men.
• The “dream”…The “dream”…
• WHY and HOW?WHY and HOW?

11. Authorial techniques: very distinctiveAuthorial techniques: very distinctive
characterisations.characterisations.
• Steinbeck is brilliant at creating believable,Steinbeck is brilliant at creating believable,
sympathetic characters…sympathetic characters…

12. ThemesThemes
LonelinessLoneliness
MasculinityMasculinity
ResponsibilityResponsibility
PovertyPoverty
NatureNature
The American DreamThe American Dream
Anything else?Anything else?