Transcript OMAM theme_questions_1

Of Mice and Men
Thematic Notebook Questions
Friendship and Loneliness
1. Which of Steinbeck’s characters, if any, exhibit the
qualities of being a true friend? If none, why not?
2. How do the environment of the farm and the time
period of the Great Depression help and/or hinder the
workers’ abilities to form friendships?
3. So far, what does Steinbeck seem to be saying
about friendship and its impact on a person’s overall
quality of life? Which characters best help him to
illustrate this point?
Dreams and Reality
1. Although Candy, George, and Lennie all
share the same dream of getting a house, it is
different for each of them. Explain what causes
these differences.
2. So far, what do you think Steinbeck is trying
to say about the potential to attain our dreams?
How is this potential affected by outside
influences, a person's abilities, relationships
with others, etc.?
Discrimination and Acceptance
1. What different types of discrimination are in
the book (name at least 3)? What is
Steinbeck trying to say about each type?
2. What effects does discrimination have on
the characters’ lives? To what extent can
acceptance counteract these effects?
3. Discuss the significance of the fact that the
characters who are victims of discrimination
also happen to be the same characters on
the lower rungs of the farm’s hierarchy.
Sacrifice and Self-Absorption
1. Plot each of Steinbeck’s major characters
on a continuum. Self-absorption should be
on the left side and sacrifice on the right.
Briefly explain your reason for each
character’s placement.
2. Using the characters on both the far-left and
far-right sides of the continuum as support,
explain Steinbeck’s message in connection
to this theme. In other words, for what
purpose did he include each of these
characters?
Loyalty and Betrayal
1. Other than George or Lennie, which
character do you believe shows the most
characteristics of loyalty? Give examples as
evidence.
2. Which character shows the most tendency
toward betrayal? Explain.
3. Does Steinbeck convey what Lennie’s death
as an act of loyalty or one of betrayal?
Explain how George’s motivation for his
decision is a factor.