Lesson 4: Chapter 1

Learning Intentions

Predict the themes of Of Mice and Men after looking at Burns’ To a Mouse.
Consider the ways in which setting and characters develop themes in the exposition of a novel.
Consider how allusion to another text can develop a novel’s themes.

Essential Question

How can an author develop a theme early in a novel through characterization, setting, and allusion?

BEFORE CLASS

You may use the audiobook with text aid boxes (right).

In this video, there are extra analysis sections after each stage which I encourage all students watch.

Alternatively, you can click the button below to read the text without text aid assistance.

Click here to read without text aids

Task 1: Supported Reading

Read the poem To a Mouse by Robert Burns.

This poem is important as Of Mice and Men borrows its name from a famous line within the poem. Understanding the poem can help us interpret themes better AND have something extra when it comes to our level 3 connections.

Task 2: Predictions

Using what you have learnt about the poem, answer these three questions:

- Based on the poem, what do you think some of the key themes for Of Mice and Men might be?
- Based on the poem, what kinds of conflict might the central characters face?
- John Steinbeck thought that the American Dream was a lie. How might the poem’s themes connect to this?

Task 3: Analysis

Complete the analysis table. Find three literary devices or interesting pieces of lexical choice used by the author which develop themes and add to the story.

Task 4: Consider This!

Answer ALL of the Consider This questions.

Four of the five can be answered in note or bullet format. However, ONE question must be answered in CL.E.A.R paragraph format. It is up to you which one.

Question One: John Steinbeck was born in the Salinas Valley, California. Do you think Steinbeck likes the place? Why or why not?

Question Two: In what ways does Steinbeck use setting to develop one of the following themes:

a) Loneliness

b) The weak and the strong

c) The relationship between mankind and nature

Question Three: What is the significance of the animal imagery used to describe Lennie? Does it develop a theme?

Question Four: One of the major themes of the book is ‘The American Dream’ – the hope of creating a better life. Look at the description of Lennie and George’s dream to own a farm. How does this story relate to ‘The American Dream’?

Question Five: George and Lennie have a very unique relationship. In what ways is it clear that George truly cares for Lennie and loves him like a brother?

Task 5: Reflect

Click the button below which will take you to a reflection video to check your own work.

How well did you do?

What was one strength you had?

What is one thing you'd like to improve for next lesson?

Chapter One Reflection

BEFORE NEXT LESSON