Of Mice and Men
Final Analysis
We’ve read the novella, now let’s
analyze!
What’s an archetype?
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Good question!
(noun) an original model or pattern
(literary term) The first symbols of humankind that
have replicated themselves in stories throughout the
ages and across all cultures
Archetypes appear in the stories of groups from
cavemen to 21st century authors
The term “archetype” was coined by Karl Jung who
used them as the basis of “collective unconscious”
theory.
More on Archetypes
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There are common archetypal plots, character
types, and patterns
They are common across all cultures and are
embedded in our past experiences
For example, the most common archetypal
character is that of the hero. He/she usually
must:
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endure some sort of ritual or test
go on a journey
perform a task
save the day
Of Mice and Men Archetypes
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Wise fool – mentally inferior but is able to bring out
the best/worst in others
Eve (as in Adam and Eve) – female who succumbs
and brings sin and death to the world
A hero/king – Shows leadership qualities and a deep
understanding of others
The “every man” – a character to which we can all
identify.
Small character who overcompensates
Character facing racism
Character facing ageism
Archetype Quotes
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Wise fool = Lennie: “I don’t like this place
George…”
Eve = Curley’s wife: “When I’m doing my hair
sometimes I just sit and stroke it cause it’s so soft”
Small man = Curley: “You tried to throw a scare in
to Slim and you couldn’t make it stick…Your as
yellow as a frog belly.”
Racism = Crooks: “Well, you keep your place then
nigger. I could get you strung up…”
Ageism = Candy: “I’ve had him since he was a pup.
God he was a good sheep dog when he was
younger..”
What’s up with the title?
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Scottish poem “To a Mouse [on turning her up
in her nest with the plough]” (Robert Burns,
1785)
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What’s a plough?
Where was this nest?
What do you think happened to the mouse?
Who’s in charge in this situation?
What connection can you already see to the novel?
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Think Lennie....hmmm....
How are mice and men similar?
How are mice and men different?
Of Mice and Men
Tone
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What’s tone, you ask? Why, it’s the author’s
attitude towards the subject matter!
How does Steinbeck feel about Lennie? How
does he feel about George?
What is Steinbeck’s view on the economical
and societal climate of the time period? (Think
“The Flood” from our author study!)
Which characters does he cast in a good light?
Of Mice and Men
Tragedy
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A classic tragedy entails...
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A main character falling from high stature
A main character who faces a reversal
A flaw in the main character that leads to a
downfall
Who is our main character? What is his flaw?
What requirement does our main character
miss?
Does this make you like him more or less?
Let’s talk style!
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Steinbeck is known for his simplistic,
understated style
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Steinbeck’s topic choices are complex
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Word choice is easy to understand
Brief but compelling descriptions of characters and
setting
Companionship, love, racism, ageism, loneliness,
struggles
How does he do it? Pack so much meaning in
so few words? We feel it....but why?
Setting as Symbols
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Ask yourself what purpose the setting serves
Ask yourself what happens in the setting
Ask yourself what broader meaning different
element of that setting could have on a broader
level
Find evidence to back up your idea
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If you can prove it, you can use it!
Let’s practice setting as a symbol
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The pool by the river
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What is the purpose of this place?
What are all of the events that happen here?
Elements of this place:
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Water
Brush
Nature
Animals
Why did the author choose to have the events
happen here?
Symbolism
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Ask yourself what purpose the item has in the novel and
whether it is something negative or positive
Ask yourself what common characteristics are
associated with the item in the novel and regularly
Ask yourself which character is associated with the item
Ask yourself what meaning this item has to this
character and if it’s different for one character versus
another character
What does this item stand for to the characters? To the
reader?
Find evidence to back up your idea
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If you can prove it, you can use it!
Let’s practice other symbols!
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Rabbits
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What purpose do the rabbits serve?
Where do you find them in the novel?
Do they have a negative or a positive connotation in
the context of the novel?
What character is associated with them? What
attitude does this character have towards them? How
do other characters feel about them?
What attributes are commonly associated with them?
Is this the same for the character or different?
Foreshadowing
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Foreshadowing is when an author has given
the reader clues to what is going to happen
You can’t analyze foreshadowing until the end
of the novel!
Let’s figure out what the clues were for each
of these events:
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Death
Killing
Secret hiding place
Theme topic – Weakness and
Human Nature
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One of the themes is that a part of human
nature is to show one’s own power and some
times those of us who would be considered
stronger prey upon those that are weak. How
do each of these characters fit this life lesson?
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George
Crooks
Curley’s Wife
Theme Topic – Loneliness and
Isolation
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Another theme is that our lives are vastly
improved if we are lucky enough to have
someone to share them with. How does the
author demonstrate this through...
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Candy
Crooks
Curley’s Wife
Theme Topic – Unfulfilled Dreams
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A last major theme in the novel is the idea that
a goal is vital to our existence even if one is
never able to reach the goal. This is
demonstrated through these characters...
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Lennie
George
Candy
Curley’s Wife