Education Secretary Michael Gove has called for
children to read more books, again noting that John Steinbeck's novella
Of Mice and Men dominates in many schools. Why should one American book
be chosen by so many English teachers?
Michael Gove says children are reading too few books.
He says that some students only read two books in an academic
year, and that a departmental survey in England suggested that "over
90% of schools teach Of Mice and Men to their GCSE students".
But why does a novella written in 1937 about displaced ranch
workers during the Great Depression hold such enduring popularity in
schools?
The answer is that Steinbeck's classic is short, comprising
only six chapters, and that its themes continue to be considered
relevant to 21st Century society.
Nicola Williams, a senior English teacher at Charlton School
in Shropshire, admits the length of the novella is a factor in its
appeal, suggesting that "the reading is not too onerous when we are so
pushed for time in the curriculum". But she believes the true draw of
the novella lies in its accessibility to students across a range of
academic abilities.
The answer
- The book is just six chapters long - good for time-pressed staff and pupils
- But its themes of bullying and compassion ring true in schools
"Students often struggle to
understand why George shoots Lennie," she says, "particularly at the
lower end of the ability spectrum, but once explained they do get it."
"Steinbeck offers a lot for more able students too with his
references to light and noise and his presentation of the six clear
scenes in a cyclical style."
Williams describes the relationship between main characters
George and Lennie as the topic that provokes the most debate. She says:
"Interestingly, a lot of students jump to the conclusion that the two
main characters must be gay as they travel together, and that, I think,
is due to modern representations of male relationships.
"It's really gritty because of the issues it deals with."
What is Of Mice and Men about?
The story of two ranchers who travel between jobs during the
great depression. The committed George and the childlike giant Lennie
attempt to achieve their dream of owning their own ranch and living off
the land, but meet various problems along the way
Susan Van Kirk, author of the
Cliff Notes Revision Guide for Of Mice and Men agrees, commenting:
"Thousands of books are written and printed every year, but very few
stand the test of time and speak of enduring human values.
"Of Mice and Men has universal themes that can be read in any
culture and time. John Steinbeck wrote of lessons of the heart, lessons
that teach children what it is to be a human being with compassion for
his fellow humans and a social conscience."
Van Kirk believes the theme of bullying is of great relevance to teaching children in society today.
"Currently in Western culture, there is much discussion about
school bullying. This book is certainly a bullying antidote. Teenagers
often feel lonely and powerless and they can identify with many of the
characters in this novel." 50 books a year.
WHO, WHAT, WHY?
A part of BBC News Magazine, Who, What, Why? aims to answer questions behind the headlines
With Gove announcing plans to
restructure the curriculum, there is a possibility mainstay works such
as Of Mice and Men may see their regular position on reading lists
placed under threat.
Gove believes that children from the age of 11 should be
reading up to 50 books each year and suggests that an over-reliance on
longstanding core texts is working to the detriment of the curriculum. But whether or not Gove's plans become reality, it is
difficult to imagine a short, accessible, and perennially relevant
novella like Of Mice and Men being abandoned.
(Souce:
BBC.com)
