Journal

1. Journal • What does friendship mean to you? • How important is it to have a place where you belong, where there are people who know and love you? • What is something that you are responsible for caring for? How do you feel about that person/thing and how do you feel about that responsibility?

2. Of Mice and Men By John Steinbeck “The free exploring mind of the individual human is the most valuable thing in the world.”

3. Biography • Born in Salinas, CA, in 1902 • Much of his work was rooted in CA, but interests are universal • Attended Stanford but didn’t graduate • Worked as a NY reporter, chemist, fruit picker, freight handler • For a time he lived off the sea, fishing from Monterey Bay

4. Fun facts about Steinbeck • An early draft of Of Mice and Men was eaten by his dog. • He used 300 pencils writing East of Eden – he started every day with 24 sharpened pencils. • He wrote a book about King Arthur. • He traveled with an Okie family from OK to CA for research when writing The Grapes of Wrath. • Received death threats for his portrayal of field workers, so he bought two pistols.

5. Writing • Cup of Gold (1929) was his first novel – financial failure • Tortilla Flat (1935) – critical and financial success • Of Mice and Men (1937) • Grapes of Wrath (1939) -bestseller, controversial expose, Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece • The Pearl (1947) • Travels With Charley (1962)

6. Political interests • 1930s – concerned with the plight of migrant workers • 1940s – concerned with the rise of fascism (form of radical, right-wing, authoritarian ultranationalism, characterized by dictatorial power, forcible suppression of opposition, and strong regimentation of society and of the economy) • 1960s – Travels With Charley refuses to ratify and stereotype in contemporary society

7. Personal life • Married 3 times and had 2 sons with 2nd wife • Won 1962 Nobel Prize for literature (not a popular choice among critics) • In his address he said he felt called “to declare and to celebrate man’s proven capacity for greatness of heart and spirit – for gallantry in defeat – for courage, compassion, and love.” • Died December 20, 1968 of a heart attack

8. The philosopher • Emphasized a “moral ecology,” emphasizing the need for humans and nature to be in partnership • Interested in what unites humanity, rather than what isolates • Work focuses on outcasts of society – the poor, the demented, the uneducated, and the rebellious • Reveled in the simple joys of life and splendors of nature • Compassion infused his writing, allowing him to simultaneously express anger, sympathy, and sorrow in lyrical and touching language

9. The Technician of of Mice and men • Recurring symbols • Hands (capture essence of character) • Animal symbolism (characters are compared subtly) • Evocative names (Candy, Crooks, Curley, Lennie Smalls, George Milton=John Milton and Paradise Lost) • Dramatic nature (novella, play, film, opera) • Simple, colloquial, vulgar American dialogue • Narrator is omniscient, although limited – only reveals a character’s thoughts through dramatic means – an action, gesture, facial expression, or dialogue • Steinbeck’s primary aim is showing rather than telling

10. Theme • Peculiar kind of American alienation (loneliness) • Except George and Lennie whose chance and destitution have brought them together and they believe they are different • American romanticism – America is the land of opportunity and bounty • Realism

11. Characters • George • Lennie Smalls • Curley • Curley’s wife • Candy • Crooks • Slim

12. Vocabulary • Bridle • Anguish • Pantomime • Morose • Yammer • Ominous • Slough • Derogatory • Solitaire • Flounce • Plaintive • Brusque • Apprehensive • Complacent • Derision • Rivet • Aloof • Disarm • Sullen • Contempt • Indignation • Avert • Subside • Bewilder • Snivel • Recumbent • Resign • Contemplate • Imperious • Gesture

13. Reading schedule • Section 1 & 2 Quiz • Section 3 & 4 Quiz • Test (Sections 5 & 6 included)