Identity In John Steinbeck's 'Of Mice And Men'
CHARACTER
IDENTITY
PREJUDICE
LENNIE
See description in intro pages
References to his lack of ability
Comparisons with animals
Physical strength vs. mental weakness
George’s protectiveness vs. his frustration
His dream – how does it contribute to who he is?
What is the first reference to him in the book?
Around mental disability
George’s concern that others judge him before they know him
Need for Lennie to allow others to get to know him before he speaks to them
Curley’s challenges to him
His death – how did prejudice contribute to this?
CANDY
Use of the word “swamper” – what does this suggest?
Defined by the loss of his hand – physical description
How does his dog reflect him?
How does death of dog reflect Candy’s loss
of identity?
His own worries about his future and what will become of him
The need to be needed
Self-esteem raised by George and Lennie needing him
The destruction of his dream
What is the first reference to him in the book?
Around physical disability and age
Low expectations by others
Assumptions made by others about his lack of importance
The change in him when treated with respect and equality – chapter 4
How does Curley’s wife use the prejudice to control Candy – chapter 4?
CURLEY’S WIFE
Physical description on each occasion that we meet her
All other women mentioned in book are prostitutes but at least they have a name
Never given a name
Use of power and control over men
How is she shown as lonely?
Sees herself as an object for others to look at – even in “pitchers”
Feels superior and further alienates men – chapter 4
What is the first reference to her in the book?
Around being female in a male environment
Encourages the prejudice but doesn’t know what else to do
Is only treated with respect / as a real person when she is dead
How do the different men feel about her and how is this affected by their sexist attitudes to women generally?
CROOKS
See his physical description
What lies behind his identity – the truth about Crooks (chapter 4)
How is he shown as lonely?
How do others see Crooks – entertainment? Labour? An object without feelings?
What is the first reference to him in the book?
Around being a black man in an all-white environment
Accepts the prejudice as “a way of life”
Is a bitter and angry man
Uses anger as a defense against the way he is treated
What do others say about him?
Why is he jealous and how does prejudice contribute to this?
Planning your essay…..
Paragraph one – brief summary of what the book is about; main characters; themes
Paragraph two – what part does prejudice play in the book – four different types – four quotes
Paragraph three – 1st character – who are they; how are they presented to us; what part does prejudice play in the way we see the character – include at least 4 quotes
Paragraph four – 2nd character - who are they; how are they presented to us; what part does prejudice play in the way we see the character – include at least 4 quotes
Paragraph four A – 3rd character - who are they; how are they presented to us; what part does prejudice play in the way we see the character – include at least 4 quotes
Paragraph five – without this level of prejudice, how might the reader have responded to these characters
Paragraph six – overall summary of your points – the prejudice in existence in the 1930s and how it affected what people turned out to be / their expectations of life and their role in it
IDENTITY
PREJUDICE
LENNIE
See description in intro pages
References to his lack of ability
Comparisons with animals
Physical strength vs. mental weakness
George’s protectiveness vs. his frustration
His dream – how does it contribute to who he is?
What is the first reference to him in the book?
Around mental disability
George’s concern that others judge him before they know him
Need for Lennie to allow others to get to know him before he speaks to them
Curley’s challenges to him
His death – how did prejudice contribute to this?
CANDY
Use of the word “swamper” – what does this suggest?
Defined by the loss of his hand – physical description
How does his dog reflect him?
How does death of dog reflect Candy’s loss
of identity?
His own worries about his future and what will become of him
The need to be needed
Self-esteem raised by George and Lennie needing him
The destruction of his dream
What is the first reference to him in the book?
Around physical disability and age
Low expectations by others
Assumptions made by others about his lack of importance
The change in him when treated with respect and equality – chapter 4
How does Curley’s wife use the prejudice to control Candy – chapter 4?
CURLEY’S WIFE
Physical description on each occasion that we meet her
All other women mentioned in book are prostitutes but at least they have a name
Never given a name
Use of power and control over men
How is she shown as lonely?
Sees herself as an object for others to look at – even in “pitchers”
Feels superior and further alienates men – chapter 4
What is the first reference to her in the book?
Around being female in a male environment
Encourages the prejudice but doesn’t know what else to do
Is only treated with respect / as a real person when she is dead
How do the different men feel about her and how is this affected by their sexist attitudes to women generally?
CROOKS
See his physical description
What lies behind his identity – the truth about Crooks (chapter 4)
How is he shown as lonely?
How do others see Crooks – entertainment? Labour? An object without feelings?
What is the first reference to him in the book?
Around being a black man in an all-white environment
Accepts the prejudice as “a way of life”
Is a bitter and angry man
Uses anger as a defense against the way he is treated
What do others say about him?
Why is he jealous and how does prejudice contribute to this?
Planning your essay…..
Paragraph one – brief summary of what the book is about; main characters; themes
Paragraph two – what part does prejudice play in the book – four different types – four quotes
Paragraph three – 1st character – who are they; how are they presented to us; what part does prejudice play in the way we see the character – include at least 4 quotes
Paragraph four – 2nd character - who are they; how are they presented to us; what part does prejudice play in the way we see the character – include at least 4 quotes
Paragraph four A – 3rd character - who are they; how are they presented to us; what part does prejudice play in the way we see the character – include at least 4 quotes
Paragraph five – without this level of prejudice, how might the reader have responded to these characters
Paragraph six – overall summary of your points – the prejudice in existence in the 1930s and how it affected what people turned out to be / their expectations of life and their role in it