Following a discussion in the NATE conference, it was discussed that one way to teach OMAM was to read section 1, and then section 6. This then allows the intelligent reader to foreshadow the events leading up section 6. While it somewhat debunks the entertainment of ‘discovering’ the events of section 6, I think that matters little.
Below is a copy of the materials to be used this week:

Analyse and evaluate the way Steinbeck describes the fight between Lennie and Curley in Section 3 of Of Mice and Men.C-B: You analyse quotations that describe the fight.
B-A: You are able to make reference to repeated motifs that occur throughout the novel.
A-A*: You are able to show how Steinbeck wants the reader to side with Lennie and George and/or how the fight foreshadows the events in section 6.
A*: You make an original point about how the language reflects the perception of the various characters in the scene.You are going to plan and write an essay on section 3, from page 89 where it says “voices were approaching” to the end of the chapter.It will be marked as if it was an exam piece of writing.
Therefore, you only need:
Introduction (and your thematic point about the fight/essay) 3 sentences
5 paragraphs of Analysis: 5-8+ sentences each
Conclusion (and your thematic point about the fight/essay) 3 sentences
Tips:

Use quotations and references from outside the section to frame your points.
Have a final point that you essay works towards. Your paragraphs can link towards this final point.
Make some reference to structure – that is, repeated motifs that occur throughout the novel.


Some suggested quotations

‘all of sudden some day we’ll go…’

George discussing dream with Candy. Despite planning their dream farm, there is the suggestion that it will suddenly happen.

 

 

‘I ought to of shot that dog myself…’

After discussing dream farm, Candy is empowered to realise he should enact his responsibilities.

 

 

‘…pretty soon you’re gonna have some’pin on your hands…’

colloquial attack by Slim. Reference to hands is significant.

 

 

‘Curley whipped on Carlson’

Curley is trying to physically intimidate Carlson. Whip implies authority, through slavery. Physically light, yet dangerous.

 

 

‘You God damn punk.’

Carlson is even more masculine than Curley, and intimidates him in return.

 

 

Curley stepped over to Lennie like a terrier.

Connotations of a terrier – persistant, dogged(!) and aggressive. And small.

 

 

‘slashed…smashed…’

Dramatic verbs show Curley’s power and physical prowess.

 

 

‘Blood welled from his nose’

Word well implies the blood has a life-giving property (as it does.) Also evokes its quantity.

 

 

‘huge paws…bleated with terror.’

Repeated reference to Lennie as an animal. Terror referred to also. Is the terror physical or something else? See last quotation.

 

 

‘cupped his hands and yelled, “Get ‘im Lennie!”’

George repeatedly insists that Lennie needs to attack Curley, despite knowing what he is capable of. How much is the reader encouraged to want Lennie to defend himself, too?

 

 

“Curley was flopping like a fish.”

Was are the connotations of this image? How does sound imagery aid this?

 

 

“…the flopping little man.”

Why is Curley now being described with a definite article, or without a personal pronoun? How is this trying to manipulate the reader’s sympathies?

 

 

‘Candy nodded solemnly’

The word solemn is to be analysed – what has been affected?

 

 

‘I can still tend the rabbits, George?’

Lennie’s only interest – suggests what?

 

 

‘I d’n’t mean no harm, George’

Does intention matter when it comes to violence?