Themes, Characters, Vocabulary, and literary terms
 Born in Salinas, California in 1902. His most famous
books were written in the 1930’s and 1940’s, and are set
in California. They deal with the lives and problems of
working people. Many of the characters in his books
are immigrants from Mexico or from other parts of the
United States who went to California looking for work
and a better life. John Steinbeck died in 1968.
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade
preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in
most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s. It was
the longest, most widespread, and deepest depression of the 20th century. The
depression originated in the United States, starting with the stock market crash of
October 29, 1929 known as Black Tuesday, but quickly spread to almost every country
in the world.
 The Great Depression had devastating effects in virtually every country, rich and poor.
Personal income, tax revenue, profits and prices dropped. Unemployment in the
United States rose to 25%, and in some countries rose as high as 33%. Cities all around
the world were hit hard, especially those dependent on heavy industry. Construction was
virtually halted in many countries. Farming and rural areas suffered as crop prices fell by
approximately 60 percent.
 Countries started to recover by the mid-1930s, but in many countries the negative
effects of the Great Depression lasted until the start of World War II.

Many were made
homeless in the
depression , and people
had to set up camps in
which to live.
Lines for charity and free
food often stretched for
blocks.
 Following World War I, a recession led to a drop in the market price of farm
crops and caused Great Plains farmers to increase their productivity through
cultivation of more land. Increase in farming required an increase in spending
that caused many farmers to become financially overextended. The stock
market crash in 1929 only made it worse. Many farmers lost their farms.
 At the same time, the increase in farming placed greater strain on the land.
The soil began to erode. Many of the farms literally dried up and blew away
creating what became known as the "Dust Bowl."
 Driven by the Great Depression, drought, and dust storms, thousands of
farmers packed up their families and made the difficult journey to California
where they hoped to find work.
 California was not the land of the migrants' dreams. Californians also felt the
effects of the Depression. The steady stream of newly arriving migrants was
more than the system could bear. After struggling to make it to California,
many found themselves turned away at its borders. Those who did cross over
into California found that the number of jobs were few. Even with an entire
family working, migrants could not support themselves on the low wages.
Many set up camps along irrigation ditches in the farmers' fields.
The farming community suffered
greatly during the dust storms and
drought. Many died from dust
particles that got into their
respiratory systems
The dust bowl of Oklahoma literally
blew the soil away.
 The term was first used by James Truslow Adams in his book The Epic
of America which was written in 1931. He states: "The American
Dream is "that dream of a land in which life should be better and
richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each
according to ability or achievement. It is not a dream of motor cars
and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which each man
and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which
they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they
are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position."
 In the United States’ Declaration of Independence, our founding
fathers: "…held certain truths to be self-evident, that all Men are
created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain
unalienable Rights, that among these are life, Liberty and the
Pursuit of Happiness." This sentiment is considered the foundation
of the American Dream.
 In the early 1930's, many races were still treated as inferiors. Not only
were African Americans discriminated against, but many of the
oriental groups were treated the same way. White Americans still had a
better life than the minorities, even though the depression greatly
affected them as well.
 African Americans, despite the rights they were supposed to have, were
still having a major struggle with many of their rights being denied.
Attempts were often made to intimidate them, and suppress their
rights.
 There were also many old customs that had not faded which involved
restricting the rights of African Americans.
 An allusion is a figure of speech that makes a reference
to, or representation of, a place, event, literary work,
myth, or work of art, either directly or by implication.
 - she looked as beautiful as Cinderella on her way to
the ball
- it was as amazing as the parting of the Red Sea
 Allusions for Of Mice and Men “Bindle”
 “Work slips”
 Language of 1930’s, and of the West
 Treatment of those who are handicapped
 Clues the author gives to the reader about what will
happen in the book.
 George tells Lennie to hide in the brush if there is any
trouble
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Often called the 'hero' of the story, it is
more accurate to say that the Protagonist
is the main character- the one the
audience follows for the majority of the
story.
The Protagonist is the one with the
obstacle to overcome.

The Antagonist is the force the main character
struggles against.

The Antagonist doesn't always have to be
another human character, nor does the
Antagonist always have to be 'evil.' For
example, a Protagonist can struggle against
'the coming storm on the horizon,‘.

Man vs. man

Man vs. nature

Man vs. himself

Man vs. supernatural
 Anti hero: a central character in a dramatic or narrative work who lacks
the qualities of nobility and magnanimity expected of traditional
heroes and heroines.
 Epic Hero: a main character in an epic whose legendary or heroic
actions are central to his/her culture, race, or nation
 Tragic hero: a literary character who makes an error of judgment or has
a fatal flaw that, combined with fate and external forces, brings on a
tragedy
 Superhero: a fictional character of "extraordinary or superhuman
powers" dedicated to protecting the public.
 Lennie
 George
 Candy
 Curley
 Curley’s wife
 Crooks
 Slim
 Carlson
 There are three types of Irony
 Verbal Irony: Uses words to suggest opposite meanings
 Dramatic Irony: Reader is aware of something that a
character in a piece of literature does not know.
 Situational Irony: The outcome of a situation is very
different than what is expected.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v9yUVgrmPY
 What ironies are present in Of Mice and Men?
Parallel: When two
things are similar
Contrast: When two
things are different
 Lennie, Crooks, and
 Lennie and George
Candy
 Candy and the dog
 1930’s and 2009
 Curley and Slim
 American Dream and
the Great Depression
 Bindle: roll of blankets of possessions worn on a
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traveler’s back
Jack: money
Graybacks: lice
Tick: mattress
Buck: a male
Skinner: A driver of a team of animals
Tart: A promiscuous person
Mules: shoes
Hoosegow: jail
 Hame: part of a cellar for work animals
 Booby hatch: insane asylum
 Snooker: a card game
 Derogatory: intended to lower the reputation of a
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person or thing
Indignation: anger aroused by something unjust or
mean
Morosely: a sullen or gloomy disposition
Pugnacious: a quarrelsome or combative nature
Contort: twist out of shape
 Profound: intellectual depth or insight
 Contemptuous: despising
 Belligerent: waging war
 Imperious: having arrogant superiority and disdain for
those one views as unworthy
 Ominous: Foretelling evil
 Mottle: colored with streaks or blotches of different
shades
 Scourge: something causing misery (bugs or pests)