Of Mice and Men s3

Name:

Mrs. Gillum

English 2

Of Mice and Men

Grade 10

Character List

1. Lennie:

2. George:

3. Candy:

4. Curley’s wife:

5. Crooks:

6. Curley:

7. Slim:

8. Carlson:

9. The Boss:

10. Aunt Clara:

11. Whit:

Themes/Motifs

· Theme – the message the author is trying to teach

· Motifs – recurring (returning or frequent) sub-themes; smaller messages within the story

Directions: Pull quotes or lines from the chapters that illustrate the themes or motifs listed below.

Themes:

1. The predatory nature of human existence (seeking to destroy those weaker than themselves)

2. Fraternity (brotherhood or friendship):

3. The impossibility of the American Dream (the ideal life; having a place to call your own):

Motifs:

1. The corrupting power of women:

2. Loneliness (the life of a migrant worker):

3. Strength and Weakness:

* Lennie doesn’t recognize his own strength – “…and I pinched their heads a little and then they was dead…”