OF MICE AND MEN
Writing Assignment
English 9
Mr. Castellano
Your writing assignment for Of Mice and Men will have two parts. One will be of a more
traditional nature in which you explain and explore an idea fully; the other will be more like
writing a short story (somewhat like another personal narrative). The two parts will be interconnected in that part one will explain what you are doing in part two and why. I believe and
hope this assignment will give you an opportunity to show me what you understand about the
novel and the importance of point of view; you will also be able to use your creative writing
skills. Although the two parts are inter-connected, you will get a separate grade for each part: 50
points each, for a total of 100 points. This is a chance for you to show me some talents you
have not yet had a chance to demonstrate. Have fun with it. Do your best.
PART ONE: When we talked about the short stories, we talked a lot about point of view and
how it can make an important impact on us as readers. Think about the point of view Steinbeck
uses in Of Mice and Men. (Remember: it’s third person, mostly limited.) Change the point of
view to first person. You can pick any character, even someone who dies (like Curley’s wife or
Lennie). How would the novel be different if that character were the narrator? What might be
gained and lost through such a narration? What effect would that point of view have on you as
a reader? Think of other concerns that a first person point of view might raise. Write one good,
thoughtful paragraph, with a good topic sentence, about how the novel would be changed and
different if the character you chose were the narrator. Pick anyone you want: be imaginative.
This part of the assignment should be about 2-3 sides, double-spaced, handwritten, or 1-1 ½
pages, typed, double-spaced.
PART TWO: Now pick a scene or, better yet, part of a scene and write the narration from the
point of view you discussed in Part One. For example, if you discussed how the novel would be
different if George were the narrator, you might want to have him narrate the last scene when he
kills Lennie. Or you could have Lennie narrate the scene when he kills Curley’s wife. Your
ability to write a good narration from your character’s point of view will influence the character
you pick for Part One of the assignment. Remember to stay in character: in other words, now
you are not writing the way you write but writing the way this character would. Keep in mind
diction and perspective. This part (I hope) should be fun and challenging. Please do not feel you
have to narrate the entire scene. Certainly don’t make it just dialogue. I want you to show me
how your character would do the narrating of the scene: again, what would he or she include and
leave out that Steinbeck’s narrator does and does not. I think you can show me what you are
thinking in 3-4 sides, double-spaced, handwritten, or 1-2 pages typed, double-spaced. Use your
imagination and creativity.
This assignment is due WEDNESDAY, 8 NOVEMBER.
Do your best.
Of Mice and Men Assignment
Writing Sample
English 9
Mr. Castellano
For your assignment, you have two parts to do: a paragraph in which you discuss how the novel
would be different if it were narrated by a character (of your choosing) from the novel, and a
short sample of that narration. I have written abbreviated examples below. Your paragraph
should be 1-2 pages, double-spaced; your narration should be longer than that. (We’ll discuss
this in class.) Be imaginative. Do your best.
PART ONE:
If Slim narrated John Steinbeck’s novel Of Mice and Men, the book would be radically
different. First of all, Slim is absent from some of the most important scenes in the novel; so his
narration of these events would have to be based on what he heard from other characters.
Further, Slim is an important character, but not a central one. His narration would necessarily
reflect the fact that he is outside the central conflict of the novel. But Slim would also bring
some advantages to his narration. Because he is not involved in the dream about getting the
land, he would be able to view the action in a more objective or neutral way. We also know that
the other ranch hands respect Slim much, so I imagine he would have thoughtful insights into the
actions of the story.
[To do a good job on this part, I would have to go on and explain and defend my comment here.
Refer to specific details in supporting your ideas. I would also need to give other advantages and
disadvantages of Slim’s narration. But I hope you get my point.]
PART TWO:
Bang!! As we walked out of the woods into the clearing, I could hear the sound of a
single gunshot. I wondered what it could be. Then we saw them: George was sitting on the
ground, Lennie was lying in front of him.
Curley ran right up to them. He couldn’t wait to get his hands on Lennie. I knew he was
still smoking about Lennie breakin’ his hand. But he sure had it comin’, that’s what I say. I
know Lennie had killed Curley’s wife and all, but I can’t believe Lennie would do it mean. He
just didn’t know his own strength.
“What happened?” Curley asked George.
For a long time, George didn’t say anything. Carlson stepped up. “You got him, by
gosh. You got him.”
“Yeah, I did,” George said flatly.
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.
[And so on. To do this part well, I would need to give much more of the narration. I could use
some of the dialogue from Steinbeck’s novel. But the bulk of my narration should be giving my
ideas about what Slim would notice and how he would tell the story. Again, I hope you get the
idea.]
Writing Dialogue
English 9 - Mr. Castellano
In writing your narration, you will need to write some dialogue. Most important, you want to
make sure that the dialogue sounds as if the characters would say it. Remember: people do not
always talk in full sentences. Remember, too, that a character’s diction should reflect and reveal
his or her personality; this includes the language of the narration.
Generally speaking, whenever the speaker changes, you should start a new paragraph. Beyond
that, you should follow the general rules of grammar and punctuation. I have written some
examples below of how to punctuate dialogue. Please see me if you have a different situation or
if you are unsure how to write your dialogue. Do your best.
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George said, “I could have such a good time if it wasn’t for you.”
“I could have such a good time if it wasn’t for you,” said George.
“If it wasn’t for you,” George said, “I could have such a good time.”
“Can I still take care of the rabbits?” Lennie asked.