5.1.1

Dialogue

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Steinbeck's Use of Dialogue

Dialogue is when characters are speaking directly to each other. There are large sections of the novel which are comprised almost entirely of dialogue between characters.

Purpose of dialogue

Purpose of dialogue

  • The use of dialogue gives a more realistic feel to the novel.
  • The characters communicate in a way that would have been typical of 1930s ranch workers, and this helps the reader to imagine the scene more clearly.
Choice of language

Choice of language

  • Steinbeck carefully chooses the words that each character uses in order to reveal aspects of their personalities. This helps the reader to understand, and empathise with, the characters more easily.
Phonetic spelling

Phonetic spelling

  • Steinbeck uses phonetic spelling as a technique to create realistic dialogue.
  • Phonetic spelling is when words are spelt how they sound in the accent of the speaker.
    • For example, Steinbeck often uses “an’” for ‘and’ and “jes’” for ‘just’.
  • This allows us to read the dialogue in the voices of the characters.
Slang

Slang

  • Steinbeck also often uses slang.
  • Slang, which refers to commonly used, normally informal, words.
    • For example, in the novel, Steinbeck refers to the local brothel as the “flop”.
  • Slang changes all the time, and it is therefore a useful way of placing the novel in a particular time period: the slang used in Of Mice and Men is typical of the 1930s.
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1

Context & Overview

1.1

Context & Overview

1.1.1The Great Depression1.1.2Racism1.1.3The American Dream1.1.4Of Mice & Men
1.2

John Steinbeck

1.2.1John Steinbeck's Life1.2.2End of Topic Test - Context & Overview
2

Plot

2.1

Section 1 - Analysis

2.1.1Section 1 - Plot2.1.2Section 1 - Overview
2.2

Section 2 - Analysis

2.2.1Section 2 - Plot2.2.2Section 2 - Overview
2.3

Section 3 - Analysis

2.3.1Section 3 - Plot2.3.2Section 3 - Overview2.3.3End of Topic Test - Sections 1-3
2.4

Section 4 - Analysis

2.4.1Section 4 - Plot2.4.2Section 4 - Overview
2.5

Section 5 - Analysis

2.5.1Section 5 - Plot2.5.2Section 5 - Overview
2.6

Section 6 - Analysis

2.6.1Section 6 - Plot2.6.2Section 6 - Overview2.6.3End of Topic Test - Sections 4-6
3

Key Characters

3.1

Main Characters

3.1.1George3.1.2Lennie - Strength3.1.3Lennie - Innocence & Dependence3.1.4Slim3.1.5Curley3.1.6Curley's Wife - Flirtatious3.1.7Curley's Wife - Lonely & Heartbroken3.1.8Crooks3.1.9Candy3.1.10End of Topic Test - George & Lennie3.1.11End of Topic Test - Slim, Curley & Curley's Wife
3.2

Minor Characters

3.2.1Minor Characters3.2.2End of Topic Test - Crooks, Candy & Others
4

Themes

4.1

Key Themes

4.1.1Hopes, Dreams & Reality4.1.2Racial Prejudice4.1.3Loneliness & Companionship4.1.4The Weak & Strong4.1.5Women4.1.6End of Topic Test - Key Themes
5

Authorial Method

5.1

Writing Techniques

5.1.1Dialogue5.1.2Imagery5.1.3Light5.1.4Sound5.1.5Symbolism5.1.6Structure5.1.7End of Topic Test - Writing Techniques
6

Recap: Main Quotes

6.1

Quotes per Section

6.1.1Section 1 - Quotations6.1.2Section 2 - Quotations6.1.3Section 3 - Quotations6.1.4Section 4 - Quotations6.1.5Section 5 - Quotations6.1.6Section 6 - Quotations
6.2

Text Structure - Quotes

6.2.1Imagery - Quotations6.2.2Light - Quotations6.2.3Sound - Quotations6.2.4Symbolism - Quotations

Practice questions on Dialogue

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  1. 1
    What kind of feel does dialogue give to the novel?Multiple choice
  2. 2
    What type of spelling does Steinbeck use in dialogue?Multiple choice
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End of Topic Test - Key Themes

Imagery