Of Mice and Men
By John Steinbeck
Steinbeck’s Style
What words would be used to describe
Steinbeck’s style?
What techniques does he use in the novel?
Allegory
Of Mice and Men has an allegorical quality, with each
character possessing a specific trait that represents
something or some group in society. Interpreted closely,
the book could read as a heavy-handed treatise about
people’s chief wrongs against each other, including
ageism, racism, sexism, and discrimination against
those with disabilities. Are all of these wrongs treated as
equally evil? Does the author mean to create a laundry
list of mankind’s bad habits? Do we then believe in the
characters as real, individual people, or are they merely
types/symbols?
Justice
Is it true that the ranch has its own kind of justice? What are
the variables that factor into that justice? What’s most
influential in deciding justice – ethics, the law, social status,
intention, etc.?
Is Lennie justified in crushing Curley’s hand? Is Slim justified in
threatening Curley about letting anyone know what really what
went on?
Is it reasonable to let Slim be the arbiter of justice on the
ranch?
Do you think the decisions Slim makes in that position are
good ones?
Did Curley’s wife get what she deserved?
Analogy
How are the deaths of Candy’s dog and Lennie
related? Why do the two have to die? Is it fair to
draw a comparison between these two events?
Are Candy’s dog’s death and Lennie’s death just
different degrees of the same kind of thing?
Prejudice
Is there any character who is not the victim of prejudice? Is
there any character who is not prejudiced? Given everyone’s
interaction with each other, how does prejudice actually
operate in the novella? Is prejudice just a codeword covering
for some larger human failing and tendency towards suspicion
and isolation?
How can prejudice be maintained in an isolated environment
where people interact so constantly?
How can we tell the line between being prejudiced and simply
being discerning? If the boss had known what happened in
Weed and refused to hire Lennie, would that have been
discrimination, or sensible and life-saving?
The Decision
Slim came directly to George and sat down beside him,
sat very close to him. "Never you mind," said Slim. "A
guy got to sometimes.
Does George have the right to kill Lennie? Legally?
Ethically? How does Steinbeck’s treatment of Lennie’s
murder color the way the reader interprets the event?
What does George’s action suggest about justice –
within the novel and in the world as a whole?
Moral Argument
Egoism
Utilitarianism
Formalism
Rights and Fairness
Divine Command
Egoism
a person’s behavior is solely based on self
interests.
A ruler takes land by decree because it will make
him or her more powerful.
Examples from the novel
What would George do using this philosophy?
Utilitarianism
a person’s behavior is based on what will bring
the greatest good to the greatest number of
people
Example: A general order the rationing of all
supplies so that more soldiers will live longer.
Examples from the novel
What would George do using this philosophy?
Formalism
a person’s behavior is based on strict laws or
rules, regardless of the context or situation
It is never right to steal because it is against the
law.
Example from the novel
What would George do using this philosophy?
Rights and Fairness
Human Rights—certain fundamental civil, political, and
economic rights merit protection or respect because
they pertain to the dignity of a human being
Justice/Fairness-how fairly or unfairly actions distribute
benefits and burdens among the members of the group
Example from the novel
What would George do using this philosophy?
Divine Command
a person’s behavior is based on commandments
by a divine or supreme being
Opposing capital punishment because it is never
right to kill another human being
Example from the novel
What would George do using this philosophy?