Exploring the American Dream through "Of Mice and Men
This content discusses the concept of the American Dream and its relevance to issues in America, particularly examining how it is portrayed in the literary work "Of Mice and Men." It delves into the themes of hope, perseverance, and the belief that anyone can achieve success through hard work regardless of background. The Statue of Liberty's poem, the notion of equality, and the idea of a land of hopes and dreams are also explored. The text prompts reflections on the American Dream and its manifestations in both literature and reality.
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LO: What is the American Dream? Can I link issues in America to Of Mice and Men ? Of Mice and Men will appear in your Literature iGCSE paper. The essay is worth 30 marks and you will have a maximum of 45 minutes. It will be closed book so you must know quotations off by heart!
LO: What is the American Dream? Can I link issues in America to Of Mice and Men ? What are your impressions of America? What are your impressions of America? Write down three statements. 1. I think America is... 2. To me, America means... 3. America brings up images of...
LO: What is the American Dream? Can I link issues in America to Of Mice and Men ? A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame. "Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she with silent lips. This poem is inscribed inside the statue of liberty. What does it suggest about America? Worldwide all are allowed yearning to breathe free those who feel trapped will receive freedom in America. "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!" Lady Liberty welcomes all of the poor, tired and struggling to come in to live in America.
LO: What is the American Dream? Can I link issues in America to Of Mice and Men ? The American Dream It doesn t matter who you are or where you come from. In America, with hard work and perseverance you can achieve anything. Anyone can be rich and successful. Do you think this is true? Discuss in pairs.
LO: What is the American Dream? Can I link issues in America to Of Mice and Men ? In it s simplest form the American Dream is the belief that anyone can succeed through hard- work regardless of background, race, gender, class, religion. "life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement America was an unexplored land for most Europeans and thus the idea of going somewhere far away brought many people new hopes; hopes of owning land and creating businesses and escaping their current situation. A land of hopes and dreams. all men are created equal
LO: What is the American Dream? Can I explore the way it is presented in Of Mice and Men ? Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world. They got no family. They don t belong no place. They come in to a ranch an work up a stake and then they go inta town and blow their stake, and the first thing you know they re poundin their tail on some other ranch. They ain tgot nothing to look ahead to. Read what George says to Lennie. What does this suggest about the future for migrant workers? Challenge: Can you link this to the American Dream?
LO: What is the American Dream? Can I explore the way it is presented in Of Mice and Men ? Well 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 rom blowin in our jack jus because we got no place elese to go. If them other guys gets n jail they can rot for all anybody gives a damn. But not us. Why is it different for George and Lennie compared to all other migrant workers? Challenge: Why has Steinbeck suggested it is different for George and Lennie? How can you relate this to the American Dream? What is the effect?
LO: What is the American Dream? Can I explore the way it is presented in Of Mice and Men ? Point: Steinbeck suggests that the American dream is not a reality for the migrant workers and in fact they have no future. Write a paragraph answering this question: How does Steinbeck present the lives of migrant workers? Evidence: George states: They don t belong no place . Analysis: The suggestion that the workers have no place goes against the idea of the American dream. The land has rejected these men and even though they work hard they clearly have not been rewarded. Challenge: Explain why Steinbeck has made it seem different for George and Lennie.
