Friendship Unit Study Guide

Of Mice and Men

Part 1: Vocabulary Fill-in-the-Blank with Word Bank: You will fill in the blanks in each sentence using the one of the five words available for each section. All 25 of these words will be used.

Aloof:

Apprehension:

Belligerently:

Contemplated:

Contemptuously:

Craftily:

Derision:

Derogatory:

Dialect:

Droned:

Indignation:

Luger:

Mollified:

Monotonous:

Morosely:

Novella:

Ominously:

Pantomime:

Pugnacious:

Receptive:

Reprehensible:

Reverence:

Theme:

Woe:

Writhed:

Part 2: Steinbeck/Mandela/Background/Friendship Notes: Multiple Choice

What year was John Steinbeck born? What year did he die?

Where was Steinbeck born?

Where are many of Steinbeck’s most famous books set?

Name the four works of literature that Steinbeck grew up reading and listening to.

Where did Steinbeck work that helped to influence his writing?

Name the literature prize that was awarded to Steinbeck.

What types of people were Steinbeck’s more famous books about?

Steinbeck wrote books primarily about what two topics?

When is Of Mice and Men set? (I’m looking for a decade here)

In what American Era is Of Mice and Men set?

What are two of the American dreams during this era that are represented in this book?

What is unusual about George and Lennie in comparison to other migrant workers?

What is significant about Lennie’s character?

Name the title and author of the poem on which Steinbeck based his title.

What is Euthanasia, according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church?

What comparisons does Langston Hughes make to a dream deferred?

Why was Nelson Mandela put in solitary confinement?

Nelson Mandela was sent to which two prisons?

How did Nelson Mandela react to the notorious Kleynhans brothers?

What are the three types of friendship? (Know what they are and definitions/descriptions of each.)

Study notes you took over the Great Depression PowerPoint.

There will be multiple questions over the plot and characters in Of Mice and Men!!!

Part 3: Short Essays (You will choose 2 of 6) – Regular

I suggest that you practice writing this in advance!

On the back of your answer sheet, answer each question fully, using complete sentences and NEAT HANDWRITING. Each question is worth 5 points. I will be grading based on completion (fully answered question), quality (supported claim, evidence of reading), and textual support (specific examples from the novel). (Approximately 4-6 sentences) Write the letter of the question you are answering!

46A. The killing of Candy’s old dog foreshadowed Lennie’s death. Describe the two killings, pointing out specific similarities and differences between them.

46B. When all the other ranch hands go to town, Lennie, Crooks, and Candy are left behind. Describe what eachof these three do after the others leave, and explain what they have in common that causes them to be left out. Be specific.

46C. Many people in the novel suffer from disappointment. Choose any three of the following characters and discuss what reasons they have to be disappointed about their life: Crooks, Curley, George, Candy, Curley’s wife

46D. George and Lennie are saved from loneliness because, unlike the other workers, they have each other. How is the theme of friendship and loneliness explored within the novel? (Make sure to address both friendship and loneliness using multiple characters!)

46E. “The best laid plans of mice and men often go astray.” Explain the significance of this line of poetry, on which Steinbeck based the title of the novel, to the plotline and characters.

46F.The theme for this unit was Striving for Excellence. Analyze the importance of this theme as it relates to both the novel AND the American dream (past and present).

Part 4: Quotes of the Week, Extra Credit

Part 3: Long Essays (Choose 1 of 5) [15 pts] - Honors

Answer your assigned essay fully, using complete sentences and NEAT HANDWRITING. The essay should contain 3 complete paragraphs with a hook sentence and a finale sentence.

I will be grading on the following:

  • Organization (Intro Sentence, Support, Concluding Sentence)
  • Completion (Fully answered)
  • Quality (Well-thought out, Supported Claim, Evidence of reading)
  • Text (Specific examples/support from novel)

37A. Explain the patterns of destruction that exist in this novel. You should address how destruction affects 3 of the following:

  • Pride
  • Dreams
  • Life
  • Friendship

37B. At the end of the novel, George shoots Lennie because he thinks it is the kindest thing he can do. Candy also realizes that he should have shot his dog himself for the same reason. How else are animals used in the novel to help develop the themes? You should write about 3 of the following:

  • The significance of the title
  • Lennie’s love of mice
  • The story about the rabbits
  • Lennie’s puppy

37C. Discuss the 3 levels of friendship (pleasant, useful, virtuous). What is significant about virtuous friendships? What type of friendship do you believe George and Lennie share and why? (Suggestion: 1 paragraph on pleasant and useful, 1 paragraph on virtuous, 1 paragraph on George and Lennie’s friendship)

37D. How are hopes and dreams important in the novel? You should write about:

  • The theme of the American Dream
  • The significance of George and Lennie’s dream
  • The hopes and dreams of other characters

37E.The theme for this unit was Striving for Excellence. Using specific examples from the novel, notes, lessons, etc, analyze the importance of this theme as it relates to:

  • the Novel,
  • the American Dream, and
  • Life in general (friendship, success activities, video clips, etc)

Saved for Future Years

Required Long Essay – Regular Only: The theme for this unit was Striving for Excellence. Analyze the importance of this theme as it relates to: 1) the novel, 2) the American dream (interviews, discussion), and 3) life in general (friendship, success activities, video clips, movie, etc). You must use specific examples from the novel, notes, lessons, etc.

Required Long Essay: Define the American Dream. How has this dream changed over time? (Founding of America vs Grandparents’ generation vs Now) How does George and Lennie’s dream relate to the American dream? How do the dreams of the other characters relate to the American dream (be specific)?