Of Mice and Men Socratic Seminar. Name: Grade: Class: Period:

Transcription

1 Of Mice and Men Socratic Seminar Name: Grade: Class: Period: Socratic Seminar is a method of student discussion where you and other classmates will sit and discuss the novel Of Mice and Men. A question will be posed and students will respond by agreeing or disagreeing with thoughtful opinions and textual evidence. Grades will be based on the number of times you respond during the discussion, on the quality of your responses, and on your written preparation. Tasks: 1. Wild Card Question : Create at least 1 burning question that you have about the text. This question must NOT be a yes or no question, but one that prompts a plethora of answers, opinions, and point of views. You should attempt to answer your own question with thoughtful ideas and evidence from the text. 2. Use the Prep Chart to focus on three questions with answers and evidence. Make sure you have cited textual support. Of Mice and Men Socratic Seminar Questions 1. What is the meaning of the novella s title? How is the title appropriate for the characters, plot, and themes in the novel? 2. Why does the book begin and end at the pond? Why does Steinbeck set the death of Lennie in the same location as the opening scene? What does this setting represent to Lennie and George and why is it ironic that Lennie meets his death here? What does that suggest in a larger sense about society? 3. Did George do the right thing by shooting Lennie? Why or why not? 4. At one point, George imagines what life would be like without Lennie. Why do you think he stays with Lennie instead of going on alone? 5. What is your opinion of Curley s wife? How did it change throughout the book? 6. Discuss how a character in the novella struggles to free himself or herself from the power of others or seeks to gain power over others. Be sure to demonstrate in your response how Steinbeck uses this power struggle to enhance the meaning of the work. 7. Explain how the alienation of one or more of the characters illuminates the meaning of the work as a whole. 8. What extent can Lennie s death be considered symbolic? What dies with Lennie? What values did Lennie represent that are arguably lost with his life? 9. How does placing the dream directly prior to the shooting of Lennie affect our perceptions of the dream, or rather the possibility of the dream s realization? 10. Explain the meaning of the closing lines of the story. What do the lines reveal about Curley and Carlson? 11. Is killing ever justifiable? Explain your answer using examples from the text and history./current events.

2 12. Was George justified in how he handled Lennie s mistake? Defend your answer with evidence. 13. Should the mentally ill be treated the same as any other criminal? 14. Define friendship. What role does friendship play in the novel? 15. Define the American Dream. What role does the American Dream play in this novel? 16. What does Candy s life show about the treatment of the elderly in the 1930 s? 17. Aristotle defined tragedy as a play about a basically good person, important to society, who suffers a fall brought about by something in his or her nature, provoking the emotions of pity and fear in the audience. Based on the above definition, show how the novel Of Mice and Men is a tragedy. Based on this definition show how it is not a tragedy. 18.Research the Great Depression: What was happening in the country at that time economically, socially, and politically? How is the novel a product of its historical context? 19.Do you think it is an oversight on Steinbeck s part that Curley s wife was never given a name? If not, what are some of the reasons the author might have chosen to leave this character nameless? 20.Steinbeck has his characters use racially derogatory terms. Why do you think he uses this language? Given the context of the story, are these terms necessary? Is there any evidence to suggest that Steinbeck shares his characters bigoted views of minorities? 21.Loneliness is a major theme in the novel. It is expressed in many of the things that the characters say and do. Cite how loneliness is a part of the life of each of the following characters: a. Crooks b. Candy c. Lennie d. George e. Curley s wife 22.The literary device of foreshadowing, or giving clues in advance of an important event, is used effectively in this novel. Identify as many of the incidents and bits of dialogue as you can that provide clues to the outcome. 23.This novel portrays several killings: Carlson killing Candy s dog Lennie killing the pup Lennie killing Curley s wife George killing Lennie Compare the motives for each of these killings and determine whether each was justified. 24.Research Of Mice and Men author John Steinbeck. What elements of Steinbeck s life are apparent in the novel? 25.Devise your own Wild Card question(s) to ask the group. Be specific and detailed about what you want to discuss.

3 Fitz will use this grid to help keep track of your participation: Comment 1 Comment 2 Comment 3 # of Questions posed Wild Card A = Thought provoking comment with quotes B = Adequate comment with quote C-D - = Repetitive or obvious statement, no quote D = No comment or comment pulled out by teacher/peers

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5 re-seminar worksheet Handout adapted from handouts by BHS, Wayzata Public Schools, Hart High School