Of Mice and Men NotesOf Mice and Men Notes

Use these notes to help you Use these notes to help you understand the novellaunderstand the novella

Vocabulary Chapter 1Vocabulary Chapter 11.1. BindleBindle (noun) – a bundle of bedding carried by a traveler (noun) – a bundle of bedding carried by a traveler

2.2. JackJack (noun) – slang term for money (noun) – slang term for money

3.3. MoroselyMorosely (adverb) – with sadness (She (adverb) – with sadness (She moroselymorosely took took the test because she knew she hadn’t studied very hard.)the test because she knew she hadn’t studied very hard.)

4.4. PantomimePantomime (verb) – to copy (The toddler (verb) – to copy (The toddler pantomimedpantomimed his mother’s actions.) his mother’s actions.)

5.5. DroneDrone (verb) – to go on and on in a monotone (The math (verb) – to go on and on in a monotone (The math teacher teacher droneddroned on about fractions.) on about fractions.)

6.6. ContemplateContemplate (verb) – to think about deeply (He (verb) – to think about deeply (He contemplatedcontemplated his next move very carefully.) his next move very carefully.)

Allusions and Historical References Allusions and Historical References Chapter 1 – Soledad, CAChapter 1 – Soledad, CA

Allusions and Historical References Allusions and Historical References Chapter 1 – Salinas RiverChapter 1 – Salinas River

Allusions and Historical References Allusions and Historical References Chapter 1 – Weed, CAChapter 1 – Weed, CA

Allusions and Historical References Allusions and Historical References “watchin the blackboard”/ work “watchin the blackboard”/ work

cardscards

Literary Terms Chapter 1 Literary Terms Chapter 1 Imply – To guess what the meaning is based on information Imply – To guess what the meaning is based on information

gathered. (I can imply that you had math homework last gathered. (I can imply that you had math homework last night because I see many of you trying to finish it right night because I see many of you trying to finish it right now.)now.)

Allusion – a reference in literature to something that the Allusion – a reference in literature to something that the author assumes is within the readers’ frame of reference. author assumes is within the readers’ frame of reference. (Weed, CA)(Weed, CA)

Exposition – The very beginning of the novel (How Exposition – The very beginning of the novel (How everything starts out)everything starts out)

Setting – Time, place and historical context of the story Setting – Time, place and historical context of the story (What’s the setting of this novel?) (What’s the setting of this novel?)

Point of view – The perspective from which the story is told Point of view – The perspective from which the story is told (What are the different points of view in literature? What is (What are the different points of view in literature? What is this story told in? Check the first page!)this story told in? Check the first page!)

Vocabulary Chapter 2Vocabulary Chapter 21.1. Swamper (noun) – handyman; someone who Swamper (noun) – handyman; someone who

performs odd jobs (What job might this performs odd jobs (What job might this person be responsible for on a farm?) person be responsible for on a farm?)

2.2. Tick (noun) – A mattress cover; like a thick Tick (noun) – A mattress cover; like a thick sheetsheet

3.3. Stable buck (noun) – A stable is a place for Stable buck (noun) – A stable is a place for horses, A buck is used in this instance as a horses, A buck is used in this instance as a derogatory term for a black man. Therefore, derogatory term for a black man. Therefore, a stable buck is a black man that works in a a stable buck is a black man that works in a stable with the horses. stable with the horses.

4. Skinner (noun) – a person responsible for driving the 4. Skinner (noun) – a person responsible for driving the mules (in this case a job that requires a higher level of mules (in this case a job that requires a higher level of skill than your average farm worker) skill than your average farm worker)

5. Cesspool (noun) – An stagnate pool of water that 5. Cesspool (noun) – An stagnate pool of water that usually has algae growing in it among other thingsusually has algae growing in it among other things

6. Ominously (adverb) – Ominous means foreboding or 6. Ominously (adverb) – Ominous means foreboding or dangerous so doing something ominously would be dangerous so doing something ominously would be doing it in such a way that it causes suspicion or feardoing it in such a way that it causes suspicion or fear

7. Pugnacious (adjective) – Filled with anger; 7. Pugnacious (adjective) – Filled with anger; argumentativeargumentative

8. Mollified (verb) – to feel appeased; to have feelings 8. Mollified (verb) – to feel appeased; to have feelings of anger grow less intense of anger grow less intense

Vocabulary Chapter 2Vocabulary Chapter 2

Literary Terms: Chapter 2Literary Terms: Chapter 2 Dialect – Language used by a specific group of Dialect – Language used by a specific group of

people (Southern dialect vs Californian dialect) people (Southern dialect vs Californian dialect) Novella – A short novel Novella – A short novel Irony – When the opposite of what you expect to Irony – When the opposite of what you expect to

happen, happenshappen, happens Direct Characterization – When the author gives you Direct Characterization – When the author gives you

a specific description. (What is a piece of direct a specific description. (What is a piece of direct characterization for George?)characterization for George?)

Indirect Characterization – When an author sets up a Indirect Characterization – When an author sets up a situation where you learn about the character based situation where you learn about the character based on his or her actions. (What is a piece of indirect on his or her actions. (What is a piece of indirect characterization for Lennie?) characterization for Lennie?)

Impressions/PredictionsImpressions/Predictions

Vocabulary Chapter 3Vocabulary Chapter 31.1. Derision (noun) – ridicule or mockery; making fun Derision (noun) – ridicule or mockery; making fun

of someone. (The of someone. (The derisionderision in the classroom caused in the classroom caused much commotion.) much commotion.)

2.2. Receptive (adjective) – willingness to receive (The Receptive (adjective) – willingness to receive (The students were students were receptivereceptive of the information that the of the information that the teacher provided.)teacher provided.)

3.3. Reprehensible (adjective) – deserving blame (If Reprehensible (adjective) – deserving blame (If someone is someone is reprehensiblereprehensible, he or she has done , he or she has done something bad or wrong.)something bad or wrong.)

4.4. Reverence (noun) – a feeling of deep respect. (I Reverence (noun) – a feeling of deep respect. (I show show reverencereverence when meeting an award-winning when meeting an award-winning author. I have respect for her work.)author. I have respect for her work.)

Chapter 3Chapter 3Allusions and Historical ReferencesAllusions and Historical References

Luger – German semiautomatic pistol Luger – German semiautomatic pistol

Chapter 3 Literary Terms Chapter 3 Literary Terms Theme – The central lesson that the author is Theme – The central lesson that the author is

trying to convey. trying to convey. (Topic + Opinion = Theme)(Topic + Opinion = Theme) Imagery – Description that creates a mental Imagery – Description that creates a mental

picture for the reader. (Uses all 5 senses)picture for the reader. (Uses all 5 senses) Onomatopoeia – A word that sounds like its Onomatopoeia – A word that sounds like its

meaning. (pop, sizzle, cuckoo) meaning. (pop, sizzle, cuckoo) Foreshadow – When an author gives hints Foreshadow – When an author gives hints

about what is coming up in the novel. about what is coming up in the novel.

Chapter 3 Literary TermsChapter 3 Literary Terms

Conflict – The problems that arise during the Conflict – The problems that arise during the course of the novel. course of the novel. Man vs ManMan vs Man Man vs NatureMan vs Nature Man vs SocietyMan vs Society Man vs SelfMan vs Self

Chapter 4 VocabularyChapter 4 Vocabulary1.1. Aloof (adj): reserved, indifferent (The aloof Aloof (adj): reserved, indifferent (The aloof

student sat in the back of the classroom and student sat in the back of the classroom and hardly participated. )hardly participated. )

2.2. Fawning (verb): to seek notice or favor by a Fawning (verb): to seek notice or favor by a servile demeanor, obsequious (The fawning servile demeanor, obsequious (The fawning mother continued to brag about her child’s mother continued to brag about her child’s award.) award.)

3.3. Apprehension (noun): nervous about an Apprehension (noun): nervous about an outcome (The students faced much outcome (The students faced much apprehension while waiting for their AP Euro apprehension while waiting for their AP Euro test to be returned. )test to be returned. )

Chapter 4 Vocabulary ContinuedChapter 4 Vocabulary Continued

4. Indignation (noun): strong displeasure at 4. Indignation (noun): strong displeasure at something considered unjust or offensive something considered unjust or offensive (She had much indignation when she was (She had much indignation when she was passed over for a promotion because she was passed over for a promotion because she was pregnant.) pregnant.)

5. Crestfallen (adj): dejected, sad (The 5. Crestfallen (adj): dejected, sad (The crestfallen child cried after she lost the soccer crestfallen child cried after she lost the soccer game.)game.)

Chapter 4 Literary TermsChapter 4 Literary Terms Verbal irony: When a person says or writes one Verbal irony: When a person says or writes one

thing but means another; the words are meant to thing but means another; the words are meant to convey a meaning opposite of a literal meaningconvey a meaning opposite of a literal meaning Saying, “Terrible weather we're having!" on a Saying, “Terrible weather we're having!" on a

beautiful, sunny spring day.beautiful, sunny spring day. Symbolism: Symbols used to represent Symbolism: Symbols used to represent

something with a larger meaning (the dream something with a larger meaning (the dream farm for Lennie, George and Candy represents farm for Lennie, George and Candy represents what on a greater scale? what on a greater scale?

Chapter 5 and 6 VocabularyChapter 5 and 6 Vocabulary1.1. Woe (noun): Deep suffering (She was filled with Woe (noun): Deep suffering (She was filled with

woe when she heard that her dear aunt had passed.)woe when she heard that her dear aunt had passed.)

2.2. Writhed (verb): To twist in pain (The caterpillar Writhed (verb): To twist in pain (The caterpillar writhed when the little boy pierced him with the writhed when the little boy pierced him with the stick.)stick.)

3.3. Belligerently (adverb): ready to fight (The student Belligerently (adverb): ready to fight (The student belligerently yelled at the teacher and then ran out belligerently yelled at the teacher and then ran out the door.)the door.)

4.4. Monotonous (noun): same thing again and again Monotonous (noun): same thing again and again (Math is sometimes monotonous.)(Math is sometimes monotonous.)

Chapter 5/6 Literary TermsChapter 5/6 Literary Terms

Protagonist: The main character who faces Protagonist: The main character who faces conflicts throughout the novelconflicts throughout the novel Who is the protagonist in the novel? Who Who is the protagonist in the novel? Who

encounters the most problems? encounters the most problems? Personification: Giving human-like qualities to Personification: Giving human-like qualities to

non-human things non-human things Example: The sun is smiling down his happy rays Example: The sun is smiling down his happy rays

of golden delight! of golden delight!

Chapter 4 ParagraphChapter 4 Paragraph Topic sentence: In Topic sentence: In Of Mice and Men Of Mice and Men

Steinbeck explores the idea that life is not Steinbeck explores the idea that life is not complete with out having a person to share it complete with out having a person to share it with. He focuses on this theme through several with. He focuses on this theme through several characters who are faced with loneliness. For characters who are faced with loneliness. For example, ________ says, “…” This example, ________ says, “…” This demonstrates…Another character, _________ demonstrates…Another character, _________ shows (his/her) longing for a companion when shows (his/her) longing for a companion when …. ….