Exploring American Society in Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men
The opening of "Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck paints a vivid picture of the American landscape, with detailed descriptions of the Salinas Valley and its surroundings. The imagery evokes a sense of new beginnings and opportunities, symbolizing America as a land of strength, beauty, and potential. The idyllic setting reflects a positive and hopeful mood akin to the aspirations of immigrants arriving in the country.
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LO: Can I explore the ways American society is presented in the opening of Of Mice and Men ? How do these images make you feel?
LO: Can I explore the ways American society is presented in the opening of Of Mice and Men ? A few miles south of Soledad, the Salinas River drops in close to the hillside bank and runs deep green. The water is warm too, for it has slipped twinkling over the yellow sands in the sunlight before reaching the narrow pool. On one side of the river the golden foothills slopes curve up to the strong and rocky Gabilan mountains, but on the valley side the water is lined with trees willows fresh and green with every spring, carrying in their lower leaf junctures the debris of the winter s flooding; and sycamores with mottled, white recumbent limbs and branches that arch over the pool. On the sandy bank under the trees the leaves lie deep and so crisp that a lizard makes a great skittering if he runs among them. Rabbits come out of the brush t sit on the sand in the evening, and the damp flats are covered with the night tracks of coons, and with the split-wedge tracks of deer that come to drink in the dark. Read the first passage of the novel. What impression do you get of the place being described?
LO: Can I explore the ways American society is presented in the opening of Of Mice and Men ? Why does Steinbeck describe the nature and surroundings in so much detail? the debrisof the winter s flooding debris suggests winter is over so it is clearly spring time spring represents new beginnings. the golden foothills slopes curve up to the strong and rocky How does this relate to ideas about America? What do the adjectives strong and golden suggest to you, the reader? How might they represent American society?
Steinbeck opens the novel The use of the adjectives strong / golden suggests to the reader that Steinbeck has described the Soledad valley in this way because (explain effect on reader you)
LO: Can I explore the ways American society is presented in the opening of Of Mice and Men ? next_btn_colour
LO: Can I explore the ways American society is presented in the opening of Of Mice and Men ? Steinbeck opens the novel with an idyllic description of the Salinas valley: golden foothill slopes curve up to the strong and rocky Gabilan mountains . The use of the adjectives golden and strong depict the landscape as beautiful and majestic to the reader. Steinbeck s description of the land could be seen as a metaphor for America as a country; the land is strong and thus can look after it s citizens and the adjective golden may imply wealth and opportunity. Alternatively, strong can also imply that the land is tough and relentless, not giving the citizens what they need. The idyllic setting sets a positive and hopeful mood much like that of the people s upon their first arrival in America. Read the example paragraph. In pairs identify the: Point, Evidence, Analysis and Link to question.
LO: Can I explore the ways American society is presented in the opening of Of Mice and Men ? Steinbeck opens the novel with an idyllic description of the Salinas valley: golden foothill slopes curve up to the strong and rocky Gabilan mountains . The use of the adjectives golden and strong depict the landscape as beautiful and majestic to the reader. Steinbeck s description of the land could be seen as a metaphor for America as a country; the land is strong and thus can look after it s citizens and the adjective golden may imply wealth and opportunity. Alternatively, strong can also imply that the land is tough and relentless, not giving the citizens what they need. The idyllic setting sets a positive and hopeful mood much like that of the people s upon their first arrival in America. The dark blue shows you what parts are evidence and analysis. The pruple ia an A* skill. How could this paragraph be improved? .
LO: Can I explore the ways American society is presented in the opening of Of Mice and Men ? 1. Choose a quote from the opening passage in pairs. 2. You need to pick out words or language devices like the examples. A-A* Challenge: Consider two interpretations of your chosen quote. Remember to consider why Steinbeck has done this? If you are stuck choose one of these quotes: a path beaten hard by boys and beaten hard by tramps the limb is worn smooth by the men who have sat on it an ash pile made by many fires
LO: Can I explore the ways American society is presented in the opening of Of Mice and Men ? Point: In the opening chapter Steinbeck creates an idyllic setting Evidence: Steinbeck describes the [insert quote] Analysis: The use of [pick a word or language technique] suggests that Link to question: Steinbeck describes the scene in this way to suggests that America is a land of hope and promise. The reader feels Challenge: Can you give two different interpretations for one quote? An alternative interpretation is needed for A-A* Use these sentence starters and your quote from earlier to write your own paragraph.
LO: Can I explore the ways American society is presented in the opening of Of Mice and Men ? Success Criteria: Swap paragraphs with your partner. There is a strong/definite point being made. A quote has been used. Words or language techniques have been picked out of the quote. There is a link to Steinbeck s message about America. Identify the: Point Evidence Analysis Link to question Look at the success criteria WWW and EBI. Challenge: An alternative interpretation has been offered.
