Of Mice and Men Scene Analysis Essay
Objectives:
 To display your understanding of the themes, characters, and arguments in Of Mice and Men by thoroughly analyzing a scene from the novel.
 To demonstrate your ability to scrutinize literature by examining imagery, word choice, characterization, etc.
 To exhibit your critical thinking skills by drawing insightful connections between literary elements and the author’s arguments.
Assignment:
Select a scene from Of Mice and Men to thoroughly analyze via essay.
Part 1: Introduction
Start with an attention getter (analogy, anecdote, statistic, related quote, striking fact, vivid description, NO
QUESTION). This paragraph must be at least five sentences in length, and should include the title and author of the novel. It must also mention the scene, themes, and arguments/messages you will analyze. Continue by focusing on a general aspect of the scene that logically leads into your thesis statement. Your thesis statement should state why your scene is worthy of analysis.
Part 2: Overview of the Scene
Begin your overview by identifying the key events and characters involved in the scene. Then dig deeper by highlighting significant literary elements such word choice, connotation, and imagery. Finally, explain the various themes and arguments/messages that are conveyed through the scene. Be as thorough as possible
(This section may be longer than one paragraph).
Part 3: Theme Connection
Select one theme in the scene to thoroughly analyze. Themes include works from the jigsaw (i.e. Jim Crow
Laws, etc.), as well as from classroom discussion (i.e. Predator vs. Prey, etc.). Hint: Use your connection reflection and mini novel notes to help you with this section. You must have three pieces of evidence in the form of properly cited quotations – use a variety of literary elements to demonstrate the scene’s connection to the theme (imagery, word choice, connotation, events, characterization). Thoroughly explain how the quotation is the literary element and how the literary element conveys the theme.
Part 4: Argument/Message Analysis
Building on part three, explain the argument the author is making through the theme. What does the author want you to believe or think about the topic after reading the scene? Dig deeper than the theme connection paragraph. How does the tone, mood, characters, cause/effect or end action/result convey the author’s attitude towards the argument/message? You must have three pieces of evidence in the form of properly cited quotations (you can further analyze the three quotes you utilized in part three OR select new ones).
Thoroughly explain how the quotation conveys the argument.
Part 5: Conclusion – “So What” Question: Why is the scene worthy of analysis?
The conclusion should be at least 5 sentences in length, and should review the theme and argument/message analyzed in the essay. The conclusion should also address the “so what?” questions: Why is the scene worthy of analysis? Why do you believe this is the most important section of the book? Consider how this scene propels the novel forward and alters your understanding of the big ideas. The final sentence should create a sense of finality.

DUE DATES:
Outline Due: Wednesday, April 13
Rough Draft Due: Friday, April 15
Final Copy Due: Monday, April 18
WRITING CHECK LIST:
A.
Final copy must be TYPED; outline and rough draft can be hand written or typed
B.
Create a TITLE PAGE – Title of paper, your name, Advanced Junior English, Ms. Burkiewicz, date
C.
Give the paper an original title
D.
Paper must be in Times New Roman 12pt font, double-spaced, with 1” margins
E.
Each paragraph must be at least five sentences – this includes introductory and conclusion paragraphs
F.
NO “So” “things” “stuff”
G.
NO text messaging lingo – write out all words
H.
Use a formal tone
I.
NO first person (I/ME/MY/MINE/MYSELFT/US/WE/OUR)
J.
NO second person (YOU/YOUR/YOURSELF/ONE/ONESELF)
K.
Book titles should be underlined OR italicized – not both. Poem titles should be in quotes
L.
Properly cite each quote. EXP: (Steinbeck 60).
M.
Include a BIBLIOGRAPHY/WORKS CITED
BIBLIOGRAPHY FORMAT
Author Last Name, Author First Name. Title of Novel. Place of Publication: Publisher, Copyright Year. Medium of Publication.

OUTLINE FORMAT
I.
Introduction a.
Thesis Statement: Why is your scene worthy of analysis
II.
Overview of Scene – List the: a.
Key events and characters b.
Significant Literary Elements – i.e. word choice, imagery, characterization, connotation, etc. c.
Themes – i.e. Jim Crow Laws, Predator vs. Prey, etc. d.
Arguments – The author’s message/lesson about and through the themes
III.
Theme Connection a.
Main Idea sentence that introduces the theme to be analyzed b.
Evidence/Quote #1 c.
What literary element is the quote? d.
How does the literary element convey the theme? e.
Evidence/Quote #2 f.
What literary element is the quote? g.
How does the literary element convey the theme? h.
Evidence/Quote #3 i.
What literary element is the quote? j.
How does the literary element convey the theme?
IV.
Argument/Message Analysis a.
Main Idea sentence that introduces the argument/message to be analyzed b.
Evidence/Quote #1 c.
Thoroughly explain how the quotation conveys the argument. d.
Evidence/Quote #2 e.
Thoroughly explain how the quotation conveys the argument. f.
Evidence/Quote #3 g.
Thoroughly explain how the quotation conveys the argument.
V.
Conclusion (Review the theme and argument analyzed) a.
Answer the “so what” questions: Why is the scene worthy of analysis? Why do you believe this is the most important section of the book? Consider how this scene propels the novel forward and alters your understanding of the big ideas.

OUTLINE FORMAT
I.
Introduction a.
Thesis Statement: The introduction of George and Lennie’s dream of the farm is a significant scene because it introduces the American Dream theme, the dynamic of Lennie and George’s relationship, and the argument that a dream is an important source of hope that helps people
move forward during challenging times.
II.
Overview of Scene – List the: a.
Key events and characters: George and Lennie retell their dream of owning a farm and being
their own boss. Lennie hopes to tend the rabbits. b.
Significant Literary Elements – i.e. word choice, imagery, characterization, connotation, etc.:
imagery, word choice, characterization c.
Themes – i.e. Jim Crow Laws, Predator vs. Prey, etc.: American Dream, Migrant Worker, The
Great Depression d.
Arguments – The author’s message/lesson about and through the themes: A dream is an important source of hope that helps people continue to preserver through hard times. The
American Dream is thought of as this great ambition that everyone should have, when it reality it isn’t achievable. The old adage: “You can achieve anything you put your mind to” is
a lie – factors beyond an individual’s control often prevent her from achieving her dream.
III.
Theme Connection a.
Main Idea sentence that introduces the theme to be analyzed: Of Mice and Men examines the concept of the American Dream. This theme is introduced through Lennie and George’s
discussion of their dream farm. b.
Evidence/Quote #1: “We’ll have big vegetable patch and a rabbit hutch and chickens. And
when it rains in the winter, we’ll just say the hell with going to work…” (Steinbeck 14). c.
What literary element is the quote?: This quotation paints an image of the farm in the reader’s
mind. d.
How does the literary element convey the theme?: Through this image, the reader sees that the American Dream during the Great Depression was a simple one. Since everyone had very little, all each person wanted was to have their basic needs met – food through a ‘vegetable patch’ and ‘chickens’, companionship through the shared plan, and being one’s own boss
through having ability to decide to ‘say the hell with work’. e.
Evidence/Quote #2 f.
What literary element is the quote? g.
How does the literary element convey the theme? h.
Evidence/Quote #3 i.
What literary element is the quote? j.
How does the literary element convey the theme?
IV.
Argument/Message Analysis a.
In Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck argues that a dream is an important source of hope that helps
people to continue to preserver through hard times. b.
Evidence/Quote #1: “We’ll have big vegetable patch and a rabbit hutch and chickens. And
when it rains in the winter, we’ll just say the hell with going to work…” (Steinbeck 14). c.
Thoroughly explain how the quotation conveys the argument: The word choice “hell” indicates that work is hell and the dream farm continues to give them hope to persevere. This conveys
Steinbeck’s argument that a dream is actually a survival technique; in order to survive
hardships, one must have hope for the future.

d.
Evidence/Quote #2 e.
Thoroughly explain how the quotation conveys the argument. f.
Evidence/Quote #3 g.
Thoroughly explain how the quotation conveys the argument.
V.
Conclusion (Review the theme and argument analyzed) a.
Answer the “so what” questions: Why is the scene worthy of analysis? Why do you believe this is the most important section of the book? Consider how this scene propels the novel forward and alters your understanding of the big ideas.