Of Mice and Men Essay Introductions

577 Words3 Pages
STARTER – This STARTER has 3 PARTS – a, b & c. a Match these essay questions to the introductory paragraphs that follow. Write the number of the question next to the correct paragraph 1 How far do you think that Steinbeck presents dreams as futile in Of Mice and Men? 2 How does Steinbeck present loneliness and isolation in the novel? 3 Choose two characters from Of Mice and Men, say why you think they are important in the novel and how Steinbeck presents them. 4 “I never seen no piece of jail bait worse than her” (George). What is the reader supposed to think about Curley’s wife? 5 Hopes and Dreams are important in ‘Of Mice and Men’ – discuss. 6 Many readers find that Of Mice and Men is a sad book. How far do you agree? A C B Two characters that are important in Of Mice and Men are Curley’s Wife and Crooks. Steinbeck uses these characters to communicate how American society in the 1930s was sexist and racist. From His presentation of Curley’s Wife and Crooks, through what they say and do and what other characters say about them, Steinbeck shows that he did not share society’s prejudices and we see how hard life was for women and black people. Of Mice and Men is a novel that celebrates friendship and the power of dreams; it is also a novel that ends with the tragic deaths of Curley’s Wife and Lennie. It is easy to understand therefore why some readers find the novel hopeful while others find it sad; I think that ultimately the novel is optimistic because both deaths bring peace and an end to the characters’ suffering. Of Mice and Men is a novel that has loneliness and isolation as a major theme. Steinbeck communicates this theme in a variety of ways including through the setting, through the characters and through the action. The American Dream is central to the novel Of Mice and Men. George and Lennie dream of
Open Document