Themes, Characters, Vocabulary, and literary terms

Born in Salinas, California in 1902. His most famous books were written in the 1930’s and 1940’s, and are set in California. They deal with the lives and problems of working people. Many of the characters in his books are immigrants from Mexico or from other parts of the United States who went to California looking for work and a better life. John Steinbeck died in 1968.

The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s. It was the longest, most widespread, and deepest depression of the 20th century. The depression originated in the United States, starting with the stock market crash of October 29, 1929 known as Black Tuesday, but quickly spread to almost every country in the world.

The Great Depression had devastating effects in virtually every country, rich and poor. Personal income, tax revenue, profits and prices dropped. Unemployment in the United States rose to 25%, and in some countries rose as high as 33%. Cities all around the world were hit hard, especially those dependent on heavy industry. Construction was virtually halted in many countries. Farming and rural areas suffered as crop prices fell by approximately 60 percent.

Countries started to recover by the mid-1930s, but in many countries the negative effects of the Great Depression lasted until the start of World War II.

Many were made homeless in the depression , and people had to set up camps in which to live.

Lines for charity and free food often stretched for blocks.

Following World War I, a recession led to a drop in the market price of farm crops and caused Great Plains farmers to increase their productivity through cultivation of more land. Increase in farming required an increase in spending that caused many farmers to become financially overextended. The stock market crash in 1929 only made it worse. Many farmers lost their farms.

At the same time, the increase in farming placed greater strain on the land. The soil began to erode. Many of the farms literally dried up and blew away creating what became known as the "Dust Bowl."

Driven by the Great Depression, drought, and dust storms, thousands of farmers packed up their families and made the difficult journey to California where they hoped to find work.

California was not the land of the migrants' dreams. Californians also felt the effects of the Depression. The steady stream of newly arriving migrants was more than the system could bear. After struggling to make it to California, many found themselves turned away at its borders. Those who did cross over into California found that the number of jobs were few. Even with an entire family working, migrants could not support themselves on the low wages. Many set up camps along irrigation ditches in the farmers' fields.

The dust bowl of Oklahoma literally blew the soil away.

The farming community suffered greatly during the dust storms and drought. Many died from dust particles that got into their respiratory systems

The term was first used by James Truslow Adams in his book The Epic of America which was written in 1931. He states: "The American Dream is "that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement. It is not a dream of motor cars and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position."

In the United States’ Declaration of Independence, our founding fathers: "…held certain truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness." This sentiment is considered the foundation of the American Dream.

In the early 1930's, many races were still treated as inferiors. Not only were African Americans discriminated against, but many of the oriental groups were treated the same way. White Americans still had a better life than the minorities, even though the depression greatly affected them as well.

African Americans, despite the rights they were supposed to have, were still having a major struggle with many of their rights being denied. Attempts were often made to intimidate them, and suppress their rights.

There were also many old customs that had not faded which involved restricting the rights of African Americans.

An allusion is a figure of speech that makes a reference to, or representation of, a place, event, literary work, myth, or work of art, either directly or by implication.

- she looked as beautiful as Cinderella on her way to the ball- it was as amazing as the parting of the Red Sea

Allusions for Of Mice and Men-“Bindle”“Work slips”Language of 1930’s, and of the WestTreatment of those who are handicapped

Clues the author gives to the reader about what will happen in the book.George tells Lennie to hide in the brush if there

is any trouble

Often called the 'hero' of the story, it is more accurate to say that the Protagonist is the main character- the one the audience follows for the majority of the story.

The Protagonist is the one with the obstacle to overcome.

The Antagonist is the force the main character struggles against.

The Antagonist doesn't always have to be another human character, nor does the Antagonist always have to be 'evil.' For example, a Protagonist can struggle against 'the coming storm on the horizon,‘.

Man vs. man Man vs. nature Man vs. himself Man vs. supernatural

Anti hero: a central character in a dramatic or narrative work who lacks the qualities of nobility and magnanimity expected of traditional heroes and heroines.

Epic Hero: a main character in an epic whose legendary or heroic actions are central to his/her culture, race, or nation

Tragic hero: a literary character who makes an error of judgment or has a fatal flaw that, combined with fate and external forces, brings on a tragedy

Superhero: a fictional character of "extraordinary or superhuman powers" dedicated to protecting the public.

LennieGeorgeCandyCurleyCurley’s wifeCrooksSlimCarlson

There are three types of IronyVerbal Irony: Uses words to suggest opposite

meaningsDramatic Irony: Reader is aware of something

that a character in a piece of literature does not know.

Situational Irony: The outcome of a situation is very different than what is expected.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v9yUVgrmPY

What ironies are present in Of Mice and Men?

Lennie, Crooks, and Candy

Candy and the dog1930’s and 2009

Lennie and GeorgeCurley and SlimAmerican Dream and

the Great Depression

Contrast: When two things are different

Bindle: roll of blankets of possessions worn on a traveler’s back

Jack: moneyGraybacks: liceTick: mattressBuck: a maleSkinner: A driver of a team of animalsTart: A promiscuous personMules: shoesHoosegow: jail

Hame: part of a cellar for work animalsBooby hatch: insane asylumSnooker: a card gameDerogatory: intended to lower the reputation of

a person or thingIndignation: anger aroused by something unjust

or meanMorosely: a sullen or gloomy dispositionPugnacious: a quarrelsome or combative natureContort: twist out of shape

Profound: intellectual depth or insightContemptuous: despisingBelligerent: waging warImperious: having arrogant superiority and

disdain for those one views as unworthyOminous: Foretelling evilMottle: colored with streaks or blotches of

different shadesScourge: something causing misery (bugs or

pests)