Of Mice and Men: Plot Structure

Climax

The climax of the book was when Lennie accidentally killed Curley's wife in the barn. This happened when Lennie and Curley's wife were talking about how they like to touch soft things, like velvet. Curley's wife allowed Lennie to touch her hair, but when she told him to stop, he didn't let go. When she struggled to escape from Lennie and started screaming, Lennie put his hand over her mouth and nose. A quote from the peak of the climax is,"Don't you go yellin'," he said, and he shook her; and her body flopped like a fish. And then she was still, for Lennie had broken her neck" (pg. 100). This is the climax because it is a huge turning point in the story. Right after killing her, Lennie realized that what he did can't be undone. On pg. 100, he said," I done a bad thing. I done another bad thing." He has come face to face with the conflict, which his him not being able to control himself. By not controlling his actions, Lennie has killed Curley's wife. The events that happen next are all up to George and Lennie, and makes the reader wonder what will happen next.

Of Mice and Men

Plot Structure

Falling Action

Rising Action

1. George and Lennie had to leave their old town, Weed, because they got kicked out from their job. For this reason, they have to get a new job. "Run us out, hell," George said disgustedly. "We run. They was lookin' for us, but they didn't catch us" (pg. 7).

1. Lennie runs away from the barn and hides in the brush outside. Lennie finally processes what he has done and realizes how much trouble he is in. "I done a real bad thing," he said. "I shouldn't of did that. George'll be mad. An'...he said...an' hide in the brush till he come" (pg.100).

2. Candy finds the dead body of Curley's wife. He tells George, and they make a plan so Curley doesn't suspect that George killed Curley's wife. "You don't know that Curley. Curley gon'ta wanta get 'im lynched. Curley'll get 'im killed" (pg.103).

3. The rest of the men come and find Curley's wife's dead body. Curley plans his cruel revenge on Lennie. "I'm gonna get him. I'm going for my shotgun...I'll shoot 'im in the guts" (pg.106).

4. Curley leads the mob of men to search for Lennie. They even drag George along, to make sure that he didn't kill her. "You George! You stick with us so we don't think you had nothin' to do with this" (pg.108).

5. George finds Lennie in the brush, and comforts him about their future on the ranch with the rabbits. Emotionally, George shoots Lennie in the back of his head. "The crash of the shot rolled up the hills and rolled down again. Lennie jarred, and then settled slowly forward to the sand, and he lay without quivering" (pg. 117).

2. Lennie doesn't listen to George and keeps forgetting everything. George has to constantly remind Lennie about what he has to do.

3. George and Lennie are late to their new job. The boss gets mad at them for not being there on time.

4. The boss does not trust George and Lennie. He finds it strange that George does all the talking, since Lennie didn't say a word. "He turned abruptly and went to the door, but before he went out, he turned and looked for a long moment at the men" (pg.25).

5.George and Lennie meet Curley. Curley is very rude, especially towards Lennie, even though Lennie didn't do anything.

6. Curley's wife comes, and even though she is also rude, Lennie likes her. However, George thinks she is dangerous and tells Lennie to stay away from her. "Well you keep away from her, 'cause she's a rat-trap if I ever seen one" (pg.36).

7. Lennie wants to keep a puppy. George refuses because Lennie is not very gentle with animals.

8. The other workers find it strange that Lennie and George travel together everywhere.

9. George tells how they have been together so long. "'Course Lennie's a nuisance most of the time," said George, "But you get used to goin' aroung with a guy an' you can't get rid of him" (pg.45).

10. George confesses to the other workers about why they actually left their old job. He was hesitant at first about whether or not to tell them. "'Course he ain't mean. But he gets in trouble alla time because he's so dumb, Like what happened in Weed-...You wouldn't tell nobody?" (pg. 45)

11.Candy overhears George and Lennie talking about their future on the ranch they were going to buy. He convinces them to let him join, because he has money saved up.

12. Curley and Lennie get in a huge fight. Lennie ends up breaking Curley's hand, and they tell Curley to lie and say that he got his hand caught in a machine if someone asks. "The next minute Curley was flopping like a fish on a line, and his closed fist was lost in Lennie's big hand" (pg. 69).

Why do we still read this novella?

We still read Of Mice and Men because it provides the reader with a releastic story. Throughout the book, there are many themes that are shown, such as bullying and friendship. Many people, especially teens, can make a connection to the story through these themes, even thought it took place years ago. Not only that,but it gives a releastic representation of what people had to go through during the Great Depression.

Why do some want it banned?

Although the book is still read today in many schools, there are still people who want to ban the book. People think that the book is too negative and dark. It also contains lots of profanity, which people think is not appropriate to read in school. People have tried to ban this book, however it is still such a huge and famous part of literature.

Resolution

Exposition

The resolution of the story was when George killed Lennie, his best friend. He shot Lennie in the back of his head, while they were alone in the brush. He was telling Lennie about their life on the ranch that they were going to buy. George was also indirectly saying goodbye to Lennie, by comforting him and saying how they would always have each other. I think that George shot Lennie as an act of kindness. If George hadn't shot Lennie, Curley and his men would have eventually found him. They would probably have tortured him, before even shooting him. George saved Lennie from all the brutal punishments he would have to face.

Characters:

• Lennie Small: Lennie is forgetful and naive.
• George Milton: He is short tempered, dominant, and like a caretaker for Lennie.
• Curley: Curley is mean, arrogant, and takes advantage of being the boss's son.
• Curley's wife: She is rude and speaks her mind. She later reveals how lonely she is.
• Candy: He is hopeful, positive, and kind.
• Slim: He is compassionate for animals, especially his old dog.
• Crooks: He is defensive and can be a bully to people who are "less" than him, however he is very lonely.
• Boss: The boss is powerful and serious.
• Aunt Clara: She is Lennie's aunt.
• Carlson: He is a bitter and mean worker, who took the responsibility for killing Slim's dog.

Setting: The story takes place in a working ranch, a few miles south of Soledad, near the Salinas River.

What does this novella reveal about the life of a migrant worker?

The novella reveals about the life of migrant workers through George and Lennie. Just like migrant workers, George and Lennie had to move around through jobs with very few possesions. They couldn't get too attached to a place, because once their job is done, they move onto a next job. They didn't have easy conditions to live in and they didn't get very good pay, but they still worked hard on their jobs.

Conflict: The conflict of the story is the close relationship between George and Lennie. Lennie has trouble controlling his actions, and George is left to take care of him, wherever they go. 'Suddenly Lennie let go of his hold. He crouched against the wall. "You tol' me to George," he said miserably"'(pg. 70).