Associated Resources
- Of Mice and Men Revision Guide on Loneliness.doc
This revision guide takes you through the central theme of loneliness in the novella “Of Mice and Men”.
Questions at GCSE often focus on this theme.
Consider the central theme of loneliness in the novel, Of Mice and Men.
Where and when is the novel set? Look on the first line of the first page. The action is set around Soledad. What does soledad mean in Spanish? Do you think it is a coincidence that this placename is chosen to set the tale?
Who are the two central characters? What kind of life do these people have? Look up the phrase “itinerant labourers”. What does that mean?
There are other characters in the novel who are also lonely. What makes them lonely? Think of factors such as age, disability, race and gender.
Consider the protagonists - George and Lennie. Now think of the terms parasitism and symbiosis. Do they have a parasitic or symbiotic relationship? What does George think of Lennie? How does Lennie feel about George? Who is in control? Why do they travel together?
Is their dream of a place of their own realistic or fantasy? If it is real, why does George go into town to spend money at the earliest opportunity and why do the two protagonists have virtually no savings?
George seems to be of two minds when it comes to Lennie. He complains...
