Name ______Date ______Period ______
English 9: Of Mice and Men
Characterization Paragraph
Directions: Review the sample paragraph below, and label the following: topic sentence, ICE, closing sentence.
In the novella Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck uses characterization to show that Curley feels insecure. When the reader first meets Curley, Candy explains that Curley is pugnacious because he is “like a lot of little guys. He hates big guys. He’s alla time picking scraps with big guys. Kind of like he’s mad at ‘em because he ain’t a big guy” (Steinbeck). This is characterization because it shows Curley’s physical appearance and actions. From this, the reader learns that Curley is short in height and needs to fight taller men to prove that he is not weak, thus revealing his insecurity. This insecurity is also shown in his relationships with other people, especially his wife. When Curley comes into the bunkhouse, he asks the men, “Any you guys seen my wife?” (Steinbeck). At this point, Curley “…looked threateningly about the room…” (Steinbeck) and asks where Slim is. When Curley confronts Slim about his wife, Slim responds, “Well you been askin’ me too often. I’m gettin’ God damn sick of it. If you can’t look after your own God damn wife, what you expect me to do about it?” (Steinbeck). This example of characterization shows what Slim thinks of Curley, and it also illustrates Curley’s actions. Curley has obviously asked Slim about his wife’s whereabouts many times before, and Slim is tired of being indirectly accused of having an affair with Curley’s wife. This shows how insecure Curley is, as he feels the need to constantly check up on his wife. Since he is such an insecure character, his actions will have a profound impact on other characters in the novella.
Directions: Conduct a close reading of the provided passage from chapter four. Annotate the text, focusing on Steinbeck’s use of characterization.
“You’re nuts.” Crooks was scornful. “I seen hunderds of men come by on the road an’ on the ranches, with their bindles on their back an’ that same damn thing in their heads. Hunderds of them. They come, an’ they quit an’ go on; an’every damn one of ‘em’s got a little piece of land in his head. An’ never a God damn one of ‘em ever gets it. Just like heaven. Ever’body wants a little piece of lan’. I read plenty of books out here. Nobody never gets to heaven, and nobody gets no land. It’s just in their head. They’re all the time talkin’ about it, but it’s jus’ in their head.” He paused and looked toward the open door, for the horses were moving restlessly and the halter chains clinked. A horse whinnied. “I guess somebody’s out there,” Crooks said. “Maybe Slim. Slim comes in sometimes two, three times a night. Slim’s a real skinner. He looks out for his team.” He pulled himself painfully upright and moved toward the door. “That you, Slim?” he called.
Candy’s voice answered. “Slim went in town. Say, you seen Lennie?”
“Ya mean the big guy?”
“Yeah. Seen him around any place?”
“He’s in here,” Crooks said shortly. He went back to his bunk and lay down.
Candy stood in the doorway scratching his bald wrist and looking blindly into the lighted room. He made no attempt to enter. “Tell ya what, Lennie. I been figuring out about them rabbits.”
Crooks said irritably, “You can come in if you want.”
Candy seemed embarrassed. “I do’ know. ‘Course, if ya want me to.”
“Come on in. If ever’body’s comin’ in, you might just as well.” It was difficult for Crooks to conceal his pleasure with anger.
Candy came in, but he was still embarrassed, “You got a nice cozy little place in here,” he said to Crooks. “Must be nice to have a room all to yourself this way.”
“Sure,” said Crooks. “And a manure pile under the window. Sure, it’s swell.”
Lennie broke in, “You said about them rabbits.”
Candy leaned against the wall beside the broken collar while he scratched the wrist stump. “I been here a long time,” he said. “An’ Crooks been here a long time. This’s the first time I ever been in his room.”
Crooks said darkly, “Guys don’t come into a colored man’s room very much. Nobody been here but Slim. Slim an’ the boss.”
Based on the passage above, how would you characterize Crooks? ______
Name ______Date ______Period ______
English 9: Of Mice and Men
Directions: Write a paragraph explaining how Steinbeck characterizes Crooks in the provided selection. Follow the steps below to help you complete this task.
First, write the topic sentence using TAG. Your topic sentence must include an adjective to describe Crooks. Use the following sentence frame.
In the novella Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck uses characterization to show that Crooks is
______.
(adjective)
· Next, include textual evidence (quotes) that support your claim.
Introduce the quote (provide background information)
Cite the page number in parenthesis ().
Explain the quote and how the quote supports the inference made about your character (This means/This shows…)
· Repeat for second textual example. Don’t forget to use a transition.
· Finally, write a concluding sentence to restate your topic sentence and wrap up your paragraph.
Name ______Date ______Period ______
English 9: Of Mice and Men
Directions: Write a paragraph explaining how Steinbeck characterizes Crooks through chapter four. Be sure to include a topic sentence, two pieces of textual evidence, and a closing sentence.