Ch. 1 Processing: OMM
Reread p. 1-2 with its detailed description of the setting. How does Steinbeck move from description of the setting into the action and characters of the plot? Be specific!
Nellie, Savanah, Sam, Casey
--describes the setting. It's a hot day and that starts conversation when the two men enter. Also, he narrows the focus from the mountains to the stream, then to the PATH which is made by MEN and then he focuses on the two specific men that we're going to follow for a bit. Natural => human world.
Describe Lennie PHYSICALLY, using at least two direct quotations.
Jon, Liz, Matt H.
a. he's big and strong: "a huge man" (2)
b. he's very forgetful: ""Tell you what?" "About the rabbits." (13) G has told him about the rabbits a LOT but he still needs to hear the story.
Describe George PHYSICALLY, using at least two direct quotations.
Chapin, Dylan
a. "small, quick, dark of skin, restless eyes, thin and bony nose" (2)
b. "Every part of him was defined." 3
Describe Lennie MENTALLY/EMOTIONALLY, using at least three specific quotations from the book--things he says or does (indirect characterization) or things other people or the author say about him (direct characterization). Hannah M, Jacob, Shelby S, Teagan
a. forgetful, mentally. . . .limited? (4): "tried not to forget". . . but he forgets!
b. childlike (but big)
c. likes animals. . . esp small cuddly SOFT ones. ALSO means well, but gets into trouble. DOESN"T KNOW OWN STRENGTH.
Describe George MENTALLY/EMOTIONALLY, using at least three specific quotations from the book--things he says or does (indirect characterization) or things other people or the author say about him (direct characterization). Samantha, Sierra, Hannah S, Jozette
a. "Lennie, ya gonna be sick like you was last night." Protective, father-like
b. "You crazy son-of-a-b. . . . " Stressed, overwhelmed.
c. "Tell you what I"ll do. . . First thing I'll get you a pup" Cold on outside, loving on inside.
What is the story that Lennie asks George to tell him again and again? Give a general summary of it, hitting the high points. Lilly, Ebony, Tom
They're going to save up money to buy a farm together and then Lennie could have rabbits and they could be their own bosses.
WHY DO YOU THINK THIS DREAM APPEALS TO THE TWO MEN SO MUCH? What does this dream have that their current life lacks? Think about the historical setting in addition to the other info you have from the book itself. Riley, Caitlin, Seamus
Safe place: G won't need to worry about L.
HOME: same place to live and return to (security)
PRovide for themselves!!! Their work will make THEM richer, not the boss.
Steinbeck is a very skillful writer, in that he can put a lot of information into a very few words. Discuss the following sentence from p. 5: why is it a very well-constructed sentence? What would an attentive reader LIKE YOU get out of this sentence? Be specific.
Olivia, Sean, Shelby O’N
“‘Ain’t a thing in my pocket,’ Lennie said cleverly.” (5)
SHows Lennie is 'clever'--smart enough to TRY to TRICK George.
Lennie is trying NOT to lie to G outright. --means well.
Doesn't want to give up his DEAD MOUSE (ewwwww)
Gives good sense of L's personality.