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Ap Omam
Ap Omam
Teaching Unit
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ISBN 978-1-60389-351-0
Item No. 302377
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10. understand how the Depression influenced the lives of American men and women. 11. explain the central conflicts in the novel, and explain the nature of the internal and external conflicts with which various characters cope. 12. explore the importance of the title and its relationship to one of the major themes in the novel.
OBJECTIVES
LECTURE NOTES
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10. Animal imagery is used throughout the novel to characterize certain people. Trace the appearance of the imagery and what it comes to symbolize. 11. Trace the pattern of death that is developed in the novel. 12. Steinbeck uses violence throughout the novel to relate to George and Lennie. Discuss the important of the violence as a necessity in illustrating the theme of the novel. 13. Identify the characteristics of Naturalism that are portrayed in the novel, and explain how these characteristics help define the story. 7
QUESTIONS FOR ESSAY AND DISCUSSION
STUDENT COPY
2.
Explain the rhetorical strategies used in the following line: There is a path through the willows and among the sycamores, a path beaten hard by boys coming down from the ranches to swim in the deep pool, and beaten hard by tramps who come wearily down from the highway in the evening to jungle-up near water.
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Compare and contrast the two men who come into the clearing by the river. What do you think Steinbeck wants the reader to infer about the two men based on their descriptions?
4.
Steinbeck uses several animal images to describe Lennie. Cite two examples of images that are used and explain their effect on Lennies characterization.
5.
When George and Lennie reach a clearing, George gives Lennie instructions about the water. The scene on page three serves two purposes: explain each.
STUDY GUIDE
STUDENT COPY
Chapter Three
1. Throughout the novel to this point, Steinbeck has used several occasions to comment on the relationship between George and Lennie. How does Steinbeck comment on the relationship at the beginning of this passage? Why do you think he feels that it is necessary to revisit the nature of relationships between men in the Depression?
2.
What does the reader learn about the relationship between George and Lennie as George talks to Slim?
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Why does George reveal to Slim what happened to them in Weed? What is Slims response? Explain the irony in Georges confession.
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What do George and Lennie talk about when Lennie comes into the bunk house? How are Lennies actions similar to the events that happened earlier when Lennie and George were coming to camp?
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How does Steinbeck use a discovery in a pulp magazine to reinforce one of the themes of the novel?
STUDY GUIDE
STUDENT COPY
Chapter Five
1. Despite the descriptive setting of the barn and the quiet Sunday afternoon, Chapter Five begins with an accident. Explain what happened and why Lennie is so worried. What are the larger implications that Steinbeck wants the reader to consider?
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Describe the instance where the reader sees Lennies irrational anger when he does not understand what is going on, or when he is worried about something that is going to happen.
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How is Curleys wife described when she comes into the barn? Why do you think Steinbeck describes her in this way?
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When Lennie is explaining to Curleys wife what happened to the puppy, she responds, Dont you worry none. He was jus a mutt. You can get another one easy. The whole country is fulla mutts. Explain the symbolism in her statement.
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Describe the similarities between Lennie and Curleys wifes conversation and the conversation between Lennie and Crooks.
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STUDY GUIDE
STUDENT COPY
Chapter Six
1. Compare the beginning of Chapter Six with the beginning of the novel. Explain why Steinbeck would begin this chapter in the same way that he began the first?
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Steinbeck uses an image of nature to comment on the action at the ranch. Describe the image and explain its connection to the themes in the novel.
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What delusion does Lennie experience as he is waiting for George? Why do you think he remembers this experience?
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When George finds Lennie, what does Lennie expect him to do? How does George respond?
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How does the reader know that Lennie does not realize that he has done something wrong?
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How is the fact that George tells Lennie the story of the farm significant?
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STUDY GUIDE