OF MICE AND MEN
BACKGROUND NOTES
WHAT ARE INTELLECTUAL AND
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES?

The definition used most often in the U.S. is from the American Association
on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD). According to AAIDD,
an IDD is a disability that occurs before age 18. It is characterized by
significant limitations in intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior as
expressed in conceptual, social and practical adaptive skills. It is diagnosed
through the use of standardized tests of intelligence and adaptive behavior.
AAIDD points out that both functioning and adaptive behavior are affected
positively by individualized supports. AAIDD, (formerly AAMR -- American
Association on Mental Retardation) is the oldest and largest interdisciplinary
organization of professionals and citizens concerned about intellectual and
developmental disabilities.
INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES:

Lower intelligence and limited skills
Conceptual skills: reading/writing; money
→
→
Social skills: friendships; responsibility; rules (written
and unwritten)
→
→
Practical skills: eating; hygiene
→
→
GREAT DEPRESSION 1920’S-30’S
Migrant
workers:
Move from place to place to make money
Construction, mining, farming
Mostly men –some as young as 14
Earned $2.50-3.00/day
New Deal programs –find work through agencies
GREAT DEPRESSION 1920’S-30’S (CONTINUED)
Dialect:
Reflection of time, place, educational
background and social status
TIME:
1920-30’s: tart 1950’s: neato
1960’s: groovy
1970’s: far out
1980’s: rad
1990’s: phat
2000’s: snap – dog
PLACE:
Northeast: soda – sneakers
Midwest: pop – tennis shoes
South: Coke – y’all
GREAT DEPRESSION 1920’S-30’S (CONTINUED)
Dialect (continued):
Reflection of time, place, educational background and social status
EDUCATIONAL:
SOCIAL STATUS:
amount of education (schooling)
at this time, working was more
important than going to school
born into the “right” family (with
money)
manners; larger vocabulary
words: not appropriate for an
educated person to use
not for shock value
for artistry; realistic
GREAT DEPRESSION 1920’S-30’S (CONTINUED)
The Great Depression began on October 24,
1929 with the crash of the stock market.
 The state of the Union was very low.
 There were no jobs to be had and those who
had jobs were losing them.
 The value of the dollar was almost zero.
 In order to obtain goods, people had to barter
or trade.

GREAT DEPRESSION 1920’S-30’S (CONTINUED)
1928
Hoover was elected
President
1929
October 24, “Black
Thursday”
1932
Emergency Relief and
Construction Act
1933
Economy begins to recover
Federal Emergency Relief
Act
1933
Farm Relief Act
Home Owners’ Loan Act
Farm Credit Act
1933
Adolf Hitler named
Chancellor of Germany
1934
Securities Exchange
Commission Act
Federal Farm Bankruptcy
Act
1932
Franklin D. Roosevelt
defeats Hoover to become
President
1935
Farm Credit Act
Social Security Act
Soil Conservation Act
GREAT DEPRESSION 1920’S-30’S (CONTINUED)
The Great Depression ended when the US
joined forces in WWII in 1941.
 FDR was elected to serve 4 terms in office, but
died in his last term and therefore did not serve
the entire 4 terms.
 FDR is best known for the New Deal Era (the
implementation of government social services).

GREAT DEPRESSION 1920’S-30’S (CONTINUED)

Think about:
 Why
did the joining of the war end the depression?
 What is so important about the Acts that were
passed in the above timeline?
 Who and what are they meant to serve and help?
OF MICE AND MEN
Setting:
 on a ranch (farm) in the town of Soledad; on
the Salinas River in California;
 1929-1930s= Great Depression

OF MICE AND MEN

Author: John Steinbeck


Born:1902 in Salinas, CA
Education: went to Stanford University (CA)
Never graduated – dropped out
 Couldn’t choose one area of study







1935-Tortilla Flat: 1st book to make money
1937-Of Mice and Men: best seller
1939- Grapes of Wrath: most popular/about the dust bowl
1962- wins Nobel Prize for Literature
Writing: focused on people
Died: 1968
WESTERN UNITED STATES