Of Mice and Men Annotating Chapter One. 1. Nature is disturbed by man. Note the movement from harmony to discord.

( This appears in most detailed settings that Steinbeck creates. 2. The description at the beginning is similar to the description at the end but the atmosphere is different. 3. George is the character in charge. 4. George is a cautious character. 5. Lennie follows George. 6. Lennie is described as various animals. The animal images are important to show his brute like strength and animal-like innocence. The bear has a tendency to hold onto things. 7. Lennie has the temperament of an animal. He is devoid of caution. He drinks from the green pool. He is described as a horse. Like an animal he satisfies his immediate desires. He is unable to see the consequences even though he was sick the previous night. Being unable to learn from past experience is one of Lennies most dangerous failings. 8. George has taken on the responsibility of protecting Lennie. 9. Description makes George and Lennie seem well suited to each other. They complement each other. Lennie is slow, clumsy and George is quick and precise. 10. George shows his intelligence as he is aware of the dangers of the environment. He knows that the water is dangerous. 11. Lennie uses a paw helps to reinforce the image of him being animal-like. 12. George knelt beside the pool This develops our understanding of the relationship between Lennie and George. Lennie looks up to George as a model of behaviour like a parent child relationship. Lennie tries to please George. 13. What does each get out of this relationship? Why do they stay together? 14. Lennie is not able to remember things easily. 15. The hell with rabbits George reminds Lennie of the trouble that caused them to lose their previous work. 16. Physical petting of small animals fulfils Lennies need for some physical contact. He is unable to control this need to display physical warmth. He is unable to discriminate between living and dead creatures. 17. Give it here at times George needs to be forceful with Lennie to control him. (Parent/child, master/ animal relationship). 18. George and Lennie are like two sides of man, the ego and alter ego, the rational and the instinctive. 19. They were hounded out of their last employment because Lennie did bad things. The event, although Lennie laughs, was extremely serious. It will have consequences for George and Lennie. Steinbeck reveals information a little at a time device to keep audience interested. 20. George lay back on the sand first example of dreams. Dreams are very important in this novel. 21. Lennies demand for ketchup shows his need to satisfy his desires.

22. The day was going fast now - sense of harmony. The water-snake becomes a victim at the end of the novel, creates discord wherer there was once harmony. 23. Lennie lumbered to his feet Stresses the importance for Lennie to find something to pet. 24. What mouse, George/ I aint got no mouse. Lennie is reluctant to let go of the mouse. This prepares us for things to come- the killing of creatures by petting. 25. the flame of the sunset lifted.. Powerful sense of hidden things emerging the big carp rises, sinks and leaves rings on the waters surface. Reminds us of Lennies paw in the water earlier. Suggests that there will be increasing repercussions from Lennies actions. 26. Well, we aint got any. Steinbeck reveals the link between petting mice and the girls that delighted him. Lennie is unaware of the basic drives that prompt his actions. He is without malice. His innocence is connected with the world of nature. 27. Soledad Spanish name for loneliness. George describes himself and Lennie as the loneliest guys in the world. Ranch hands see that they travel together to avoid loneliness. 28. George enjoys companionship and sense of responsibility. These rewards are greater than the empty reward of the itinerant workers- drink, food, women and gambling. 29. Lennie upset by Georges rejection of him. He reacts in a child-like way. 30. Lennies solution is animal-like living in a cave and lying in the sun. He react intuitively just like an animal. 31. George profits from this relationship he gets physical protection, a selfconfidence boost and a feeling of superiority. 32. At the end of the novel George has little interest in the dream farm. 33. George promises Lennie a dog. This leads to his downfall. He spends a lot of time in the barn. This leads to the contact with Curleys wife. 34. Somebodyd shoot you for a coyote This is ironic as he shoots Lennie . 35. Georges myth represents paradise 36. Ends with peace and harmony.