that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world. They got no family. They don’t belong no place. . . . With us it ain’t like that. We got a future. We got somebody to talk to that gives a damn about us. We don’t have to sit in no bar room blowin’ in our jack jus’ because we got no place else to go. If them other guys gets in jail they can rot for all anybody gives a damn. But not us.”

–Chp.1 Of Mice and Men

First, I’ll do a little presentation on literary terms in Of Mice and Men. We’ll look at characterization and theme.

Then, groups will choose either George or Lenny and they’ll go through the methods of characterization and quote from chapter 1 a short sample that show that method and what it says about the character. Handout

Next, we’ll read a bit from chapter 2 and talk a bit about the new characters. I’ll then ask you to respond in a short writing assignment to the following prompt:

Take the discussion between George and the Boss.  What happens? What theme do you think Steinbeck is working with here and what is he saying?

Put your answer here.

Finally, we’ll take some time to work in memorizing pairs and work together to get the poems memorized.

HW: Read chapter 2 (pgs. 16-37).  Keep memorizing.  Remember, we see each other for a full A-day Monday.

Welcome Back! I hope your Thanksgiving was ridiculously fun and meaningful.

We’ll start up with some questions from the first chapter of OMM to make sure we understand what’s going on in the book.

Next, I’ll present a short Keynote about Characterization and theme and a bit about theme.

Then, I’ll ask you to write for me:

Write a 200+ short scene where 2 people are talking in a park.  Use at least 3 of the charcterization techniques I talked about to give each of your characters depth.  You’ll get 2 adjectives to choose from at each table.

Then, we’ll share.

Finally, I want to give you some reading time for Chapter 2.

HW: Chapter 2 and be ready for quiz on 1-2 as well as on what characterization is.

Image Credit: reviewplays.com