In a first step you are asked to find out more about the author of „Of Mice and Men“ and about the historical background. I have added a few links to get you started. Please do not just copy and paste, but instead use your own wording.

1. John Steinbeck
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Steinbeck
http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/johnstei.htm

Task: Read up on John Steinbeck and his life and write down the most important facts about his life and work.

2. The Great Depression
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Depression
http://history1900s.about.com/od/1930s/p/greatdepression.htm

Task: Read up on „The Great Depression“ and take notes about it. Here are some questions that you might want to answer:
a) What was the Great Depression? Name 4 possible causes.
b) How did the Great Depression affect urban/rural life?
c) What have you learnt about migration?
d) Who suffered most during the Great Depression and why?

3. Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal
http://www.bartleby.com/124/pres49.html
(refer to http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/fdr-inaugural/#documents if you want to see the copies of the original documents)

Task: Read Roosevelt's „First Inaugural Address“ (Antrittsrede). Write down the most important facts about Roosevelt's New Deal mentioning what he intended to do to improve the situation.