1.1.4
Of Mice & Men
The Origins of the Title: Of Mice and Men
The Origins of the Title: Of Mice and Men
Of Mice and Men was drawn from a poem by the Scottish poet, Robert Burns.
To a Mouse
To a Mouse
- The title of the novel is thought to be taken from a poem by Robert Burns (1759-96) called ‘To a Mouse’:
- “The best laid schemes o’ mice and men / Gang aft agley / And leave us nought but grief and pain / For promised joy!”
Connections - poem and plot
Connections - poem and plot
- The line “Gang aft agley” translates roughly to “often go wrong”, and it is easy to see how this fits with George and Lennie’s ill-fated plan to own their own farm.
- The poem suggests that we are able to make plans that are well thought out and detailed, but that ultimately they can still go wrong.
Steinbeck's purpose
Steinbeck's purpose
- Steinbeck’s point seems to be that, even though these plans might not work out, they are essential because they give us the hope to keep going.
1Context & Overview
1.1Context & Overview
2Plot
2.1Section 1 - Analysis
2.2Section 2 - Analysis
2.3Section 3 - Analysis
2.4Section 4 - Analysis
2.5Section 5 - Analysis
2.6Section 6 - Analysis
3Key Characters
3.1Main Characters
3.2Minor Characters
4Themes
5Authorial Method
Jump to other topics
1Context & Overview
1.1Context & Overview
2Plot
2.1Section 1 - Analysis
2.2Section 2 - Analysis
2.3Section 3 - Analysis
2.4Section 4 - Analysis
2.5Section 5 - Analysis
2.6Section 6 - Analysis
3Key Characters
3.1Main Characters
3.2Minor Characters
4Themes
5Authorial Method
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