Context

• What does the exam ask you to explore regarding the novella "Of Mice and Men"?

  Interpretations of the novella with reference to its social and historical influences
• How does Steinbeck’s depiction of time and place relate to societal attitudes?

  It examines societal attitudes and historical events
• What should you explore in your answer regarding the text's reception?


  The context in which the text has been received and its literary context or genre
• What are the main topics linked to Steinbeck’s ideas in "Of Mice and Men"?

  • Dreams
  • Loneliness
  • Discrimination
  • Power
• What significant event occurred in 1929 that affected the American economy?

  The New York Stock Exchange collapsed
• What was the impact of the Great Depression on businesses and employment?

  Businesses went bankrupt and unemployment increased dramatically
• How does "Of Mice and Men" reflect the American Dream during the Great Depression?

  It can be considered a work of social protest about the futility of dreaming in such conditions
• What do the dreams of the characters in "Of Mice and Men" represent?

  A desire for freedom and the ability to make one's own decisions
• What does Steinbeck raise questions about in "Of Mice and Men"?

  The exploitation of workers and their hopelessness
• How does Steinbeck describe the living conditions on the ranch?

  The bunk-house is infested with bugs and offers limited privacy or comfort
• What does the work on the ranch represent in "Of Mice and Men"?

  It is hard and dangerous
• Which other novel did Steinbeck write that examines similar themes as "Of Mice and Men"?

  The Grapes of Wrath
• What does George's desperation for a job reflect in "Of Mice and Men"?

  The limited choices of itinerant workers
• What historical event led to families being separated during the Great Depression?

  Men began to search for work across the country
• What environmental disaster affected midwestern regions of America during the 1930s?

  A drought that created black blizzards
• What was the Dust Bowl migration?

  An exodus of families experiencing unemployment and food shortages who abandoned their homes
• Where is the novella "Of Mice and Men" set?

  In California, on a ranch called Soledad
• What does the name "Soledad" translate to in Spanish, and what does it signify?

  It translates to "solitude," emphasizing the men’s isolation
• How does Steinbeck portray the experiences of marginalized individuals in "Of Mice and Men"?

  Through characters who represent minority groups and their suffering
• What physical injuries do characters Candy and Crooks have in "Of Mice and Men"?

  Candy is physically maimed, and Crooks has a crooked back
• What does George say about Lennie’s mental impairment?

  He tells Lennie that it was caused by a horse kicking his head, but this is a lie
• How does Steinbeck illustrate the theme of isolation in "Of Mice and Men"?

  By showing how characters are segregated and have limited status and autonomy
• What does Curley’s wife represent in the novella?

  The only female on the ranch who is in an oppressive marriage
• How does Steinbeck depict the social dynamics on the ranch?

  By showing how characters are isolated due to their differences
• What does Candy’s use of sexist and racist slurs imply about societal attitudes in "Of Mice and Men"?

  It implies that such comments are normalized in the society of the time
• Why was "Of Mice and Men" banned in certain states?

  Due to the inclusion of racial slurs and the constancy with which they are used
• What does Steinbeck suggest about the American Dream in "Of Mice and Men"?

  It is inaccessible in harsh conditions
• How does Steinbeck depict the characters' desperation for happiness and success?

  Through their dreams of owning a piece of land
• What does the title "Of Mice and Men" refer to?

  A poem by Robert Burns about a mouse whose home is destroyed
• How does Steinbeck's cyclical story and tragic ending relate to the characters' dreams?

  It suggests that achieving their dreams is impossible due to powerful opposition
• What does Curley’s wife feel trapped by in the novella?

  A loveless marriage with an angry husband
• How does Steinbeck illustrate the destructive effects of weakened individuals in society?

  By showing how a desire for individual success creates a competitive environment

  
• What violent actions does Lennie commit in "Of Mice and Men"?

  He kills a mouse, a puppy, and then Curley’s wife
• How does George resolve his impossible dilemma at the end of the novella?

  He resorts to violence
• What is the exam tip regarding context in essays?

  • Context should not be "additional information"
  • Avoid "bolt-on" context that is unrelated to the theme
  • Integrate contextual points into your argument