Creative Responses
Critical Responses
Researching the Pulitzer Prize
Comparing and Contrasting a Novel and a Play
Comparing and Contrasting Themes
Researching Migrant Farm Working
Creative Responses
Critical Responses
Researching the Pulitzer Prize
Comparing and Contrasting a Novel and a Play
1. A Diary Entry. Imagine that you are George Milton. A month has passed since you shot Lennie to prevent his being hurt or locked up. You, of course, still have very mixed feelings about the event. Although you are not in the habit of writing, you have decided that putting your thoughts on paper may help you to sort them out. In a diary entry, express your current feelings about what you did on the river bank, as well as your reasoning at the time which prompted you to take the action you took. (Remember that George is not an educated man, so his written language will reflect that. Write the entry as he would "talk" it.)
2. Reaching a Verdict. You are a juror in the murder trial of George Milton, accused of killing his friend Lennie Small. The trial is over and the judge has instructed the jurors to clearly formulate their positions before the final verdict is determined. She has asked that each of you write down your position, which you will present to the other jurors. Whichever position you take, be sure to give specific reasons for your decision, based on your knowledge of the entire situation and the events that lead up to the killing.
3. Preparing for an Interview. You are a reporter for the Salinas Chronicle, the local newspaper. Your editor has assigned you the task of interviewing Slim, the jerkline skinner at the ranch, about the recent murder of Lennie Small. You have no information about Lennie's death except that his friend George Milton shot him. Prepare the questions you will use in your interview with Slim.
After you have completed the questions, switch roles. You are now Slim. A reporter from the Salinas Chronicle has provided you with some questions he will ask you on Saturday. Prepare the answers to the questions so that you will be ready for her.
4. A Letter of Refutation. You are a professor of English and a Steinbeck scholar, and you have recently read a critical review of Of Mice and Men which asserts that the novel's theme is, "If you have a dream, it will, more than likely, turn into a nightmare." Write a letter to the author of the review in which you refute her summation of the theme and inform her of the actual theme of the book. Because you are a scholar, you will, of course, make specific references to the novel to support your position.
5. Comparing Two Novels. Read Steinbeck's novel East of Eden. Compare and contrast the treatment of good versus evil in this novel with its treatment in Of Mice and Men.
6. Researching the Pulitzer Prize. Research and write a report on the history of the Pulitzer Prize. Prepare a time line or chart showing the recipients of the Prize for fictional works, including the titles of their works, from its inception through the current year.
7. Comparing and Contrasting a Novel and a Play. Steinbeck also wrote a stage play of Of Mice and Men. Locate the script of the play, and compare and contrast it with the novel. What differences, if any, do you see between the novel and the play? In a brief essay, report your findings.
8. Writing an Author Profile. Read a biography of Steinbeck and write a character profile of him, with special attention to the details of his life that might account for the realism he achieved in Of Mice and Men.
9. Summarizing an Article. Locate and read a copy of Steinbeck's obituary, which appeared in the December 21, 1968 issue of the New York Times. Summarize each section of the article in your own words.
10. Comparing and Contrasting Themes. Read Robert Burn's poem "To a Mouse." Summarize the poem in your own words. Then compare and contrast the theme of the poem with the events and outcome of Of Mice and Men.
11. Analyzing Critics' Comments. Read two or three critical analyses of Of Mice and Men. Compare and contrast the critics' findings.
12. Presenting a Pro/Con Argument. Research the subject of "mercy killing." Present the arguments, both pro and con, in a report. Do you think that George's killing of Lennie could be considered a mercy killing? Support your opinion.
13. Researching Background. Research types of mental retardation. Present your findings in a report. Attempt to classify Lennie's condition, based on both his abilities and disabilities as presented in the novel.
14. Researching Migrant Farm Working. Research migrant farm working in the United States. Present your finding in a report, particularly noting any changes that may have occurred in the system since the publication of Of Mice and Men in 1937.
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