Outline Due: April 22

Topics:

1. Examine the relationship between Lennie and George. Be sure to focus on both the negative and positive aspects of the relationship.

2. Using any pairing of characters in the novel, explain how Steinbeck explores a person’s responsibility to another person.

3. Compare and contrast the instance where Carlson takes Candy’s dog away to kill it, and George shoots Lennie. What does each of the instances add to the novel’s theme of people’s responsibility to one another and the importance of friendship?

4. “Soledad” means loneliness. Using specific references from the novel, explain how this concept is related throughout the novel.

5. Explain how the theme of power is explored throughout the novel.

Here is a sample outline:

I.    Introduction
a.    Attention getter
b.    Story Summary
c.    Thesis

II.    Body

A. Topic 1
a.    Topic Sentence
b.    Concrete Detail
c.    Commentary
d.    Commentary
e.    Concluding Sentence
B. Topic 2
a.    Topic Sentence
b.    Concrete Detail
c.    Commentary
d.    Commentary
e.    Concluding Sentence
C. Topic 3
a.    Topic Sentence
b.    Concrete Detail
c.    Commentary
d.    Commentary
e.    Concluding Sentence
III.    Conclusion
a.    Restate Thesis
b.    Leave reader with provoking thought