Group OMAM Chapter One

Of Mice & Men

Chapter One

Lesson Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

1. Identify the setting, characters, and tone established in Chapter One.
2. Analyze Steinbeck’s use of imagery and dialogue to reveal character relationships.
3. Explain how the setting foreshadows later events in the novel.

Do Now

• What are your first impressions of George and Lennie based on the opening pages?
• What clues does Steinbeck give about their relationship?

Setting the Scene: Salinas River Valley

• Located in California during the Great Depression (1930s)
• Rural agricultural landscape with rolling hills and river
• Harsh economic conditions create challenging environment for migrant workers
• Landscape symbolizes both beauty and isolation of workers' lives

Symbolism of the Landscape

• Salinas River represents life's fluid, unpredictable nature
• Natural environment reflects characters' emotional states
• Wilderness as both sanctuary and potential threat
• Contrast between natural beauty and human struggle

Meet George and Lennie: Unlikely Companions

• George Milton: Small, intelligent, protective companion
• Lennie Small: Large, mentally disabled man with immense physical strength
• Unique friendship that defies typical worker relationships
• Dependent on each other for survival during economic hardship

George Milton

• Intelligent and quick-witted
• Acts as caretaker and guide for Lennie
• Dreams of owning a small farm
• Struggles with responsibility of managing Lennie's behaviors

Lennie Small

• Physically strong but mentally challenged
• Loves soft things (mice, soft fabric)
• Innocent and childlike in understanding
• Unintentionally destructive due to lack of self-control

Historical Context: The Great Depression

• Massive economic downturn (1929-1939)
• High unemployment rates
• Migrant workers traveled seeking agricultural work
• Limited economic opportunities for working-class individuals

Themes of Friendship and Dependency

• Survival through mutual support
• George and Lennie's relationship challenges traditional worker dynamics
• Emotional connection transcends economic hardship
• Interdependence as a survival strategy

Foreshadowing and Tension in Chapter One

• Hints of potential future conflicts
• Lennie's inability to control his strength
• George's protective yet frustrated attitude
• Sense of impending challenge or tragedy

Essential Passages for Analysis

Opening description of the Salinas River (Paragraphs 1–3)

• Focus: Imagery, symbolism, tone.

• Question: How does Steinbeck use nature imagery to set the mood of the story?

The opening of Of Mice and Men presents the Salinas River valley as a place of natural beauty and tranquility, with detailed descriptions of the landscape, vegetation, and wildlife near the pool where the story begins. Steinbeck establishes a peaceful, almost Eden-like setting with golden foothill slopes, green willows, and sycamores along the water's edge. This serene natural environment serves as a contrasting backdrop to the human struggles that will unfold, and introduces the river as a sanctuary where the main characters, George and Lennie, will both begin and end their journey.

Essential Passages for Analysis

George’s outburst and apology to Lennie (when George yells about how easy life would be without Lennie)

• Focus: Dialogue, conflict, and empathy.

• Question: What does this exchange reveal about both characters and their relationship?

George's outburst reveals his deep frustration with the burden of caring for Lennie, as he angrily lists all the things he could do if he were alone—like stay in a cat house, play pool, and keep his entire paycheck for himself. His tirade exposes the resentment that occasionally surfaces from constantly having to protect and guide his mentally disabled companion, showing the strain their relationship places on him. However, George quickly regrets his harsh words and apologizes, demonstrating that despite his momentary anger, he genuinely cares for Lennie and recognizes that his friend depends on him for survival.

Essential Passages for Analysis

George’s outburst and apology to Lennie (when George yells about how easy life would be without Lennie)

• Focus: Dialogue, conflict, and empathy.

• Question: What does this exchange reveal about both characters and their relationship?

Essential Passages for Analysis

The dream of the farm (the “live off the fatta the lan’” passage)

• Focus: Theme of hope and the American Dream.

• Question: Why does this dream matter so much to George and Lennie?

The dream of owning their own farm represents George and Lennie's shared vision of independence, security, and belonging, where they can "live off the fatta the lan'" and be their own masters. This fantasy includes having a small house, a vegetable garden, rabbits for Lennie to tend, and the freedom to work for themselves without answering to any boss. The dream serves as a powerful source of hope and comfort for both men, offering them an escape from the harsh reality of itinerant labor and giving their difficult lives meaning and purpose.

Essential Passages for Analysis

The dream of the farm (the “live off the fatta the lan’” passage)

• Focus: Theme of hope and the American Dream.

• Question: Why does this dream matter so much to George and Lennie?

This is your digital notebook. Throughout the novel you will complete slides having to do with characterization, setting, comprehension questions and analysis.

Directions: Identify at least three physical and three personality traits for each of the characters. Include a quote as concrete evidence for each character.

Directions: In the grey box, identify what each symbol represents, then find a quote to support each symbol. Finally, explain what you think it means.

Directions: Complete the chapter notes by writing a timeline that contains at least 5 important events. Summarize the major conflict from the novel and write your reflection. Then, find and type one key quotation and explain its significance.

There are comprehension questions and a writing task for each chapter.

Directions: Identify the main quotes in each chapter and tell me who said it!

Directions: Trace a particular character.

• Choose a character from the novel and “trace” their evolution from start to end.
• Include major events and quotes.

Make sure you note clearly which character you have chosen

Directions:

• Select a significant quote from the novel (aim for 1-3 sentences that reveal something important about character, theme, or conflict).
• Identify the context: Note who is speaking, what chapter it's from, and what's happening in the scene.
• Analyze the literal meaning: Explain what the quote means on the surface level—what is actually being said?
• Dig deeper: Explore what the quote reveals about the character's personality, motivations, relationships, or the novel's larger themes (dreams, loneliness, friendship, power, etc.).
• Examine Steinbeck's language choices: Look at specific words, imagery, tone, or literary devices (symbolism, foreshadowing, metaphor) and explain why they're effective.

Directions:

• Compare any two elements of the story: the setting, the characters, the the conflict, etc.
• Just make sure to note what you are comparing!

Breakout Room Activity: Chapter One – Of Mice and Men

Step 1: Assign Roles (2–3 minutes)

• Each group assigns:
• Discussion Leader – keeps group focused
• Evidence Finder – locates quotes in Chapter 1
• Recorder – types responses on shared doc/slide
• Reporter – shares during whole-class debrief

Room 1: Setting & Mood:

• Tasks
• Describe the setting at the beginning of Chapter 1.
• What words create a peaceful mood?
• How does Steinbeck’s description foreshadow future events?
• Find one quote that stands out and explain why.

Discussion Prompt: Why might Steinbeck begin the novel in this calm, natural setting?

Breakout Room Activity: Chapter One – Of Mice and Men

Room 2: Characterization – George

• List 3 traits that describe George.
• How does he speak to Lennie?
• Does he seem more protective or more frustrated? Why?
• Provide one direct quote that reveals his personality.
• What pressures might George feel in this relationship?

Room 3: Characterization – Lennie

• What physical descriptions are given?
• How does Lennie act differently from George?
• Why does Lennie like soft things?
• Provide one quote that shows Lennie’s innocence or danger.
• What early signs suggest Lennie might cause problems?

Breakout Room Activity: Chapter One – Of Mice and Men

Step 3: Whole-Class Debrief (5–7 minutes)

• Each Reporter shares:
• One key insight
• One important quote

Homework: Chapter One – Of Mice and Men Annotations

• 📖 Read: Chapter 1, pp. 12-24
• 🛑 Stop at: The sycamore leaves whispered in a little night breeze.
• Complete the vocabulary activity
• Cite three important quotations to you. Include page numbers.
• In at minimum 3 sentences, respond using one of the provided
• Write 3 questions about the reading using the Level Questions for guidance.
• Level 1 Question:
• How, where, what, who, why?
• Level 2 Question:
• How does the author explain?
• What differences exist between_______?
• Etc
• Level 3 Question:
• Do you agree with...?
• How would you determine....?
• What can you cite to defend.....?

Exit Ticket

In one or two sentences, answer:

• What do you think Steinbeck wants readers to understand about George and Lennie’s friendship by the end of Chapter One?