Scene Breakdown

Hung Tien Nguyen

8/4/11

Scene Breakdown

1. The plot of the scene revolves around Lennie Small and George Hicks. Both are enjoying the final evening they had before reporting to work the upcoming morning. They’ve been working from ranch to ranch without any sort of vacation and tonight is the perfect night to just relax without any worry in the world even though they’re only about a quarter miles away from the ranch. The two have been walking for hours before nightfall because the bus that they were taking dropped them off about 10 miles too early in the hottest day of the year. It’s finally nightfall and the only thing left to do is to enjoy a small meal and rest. After arriving at the location, Lennie gathers firewood and was scrolled for holding a dead mouse. George, knowing that Lennie has a childlike mentality and a soft spot for fury things, decided that he must take actions in his own hands by teaching Lennie to behave once arriving at the ranch and to hide if he ever gets in trouble at the end of the scene. However, the middle of the scene is dedicated to George’s frustration with Lennie’s childish behavior and innocence.

2. The location of the scene is in a swamp somewhere in the Midwest, specifically Northern Arizona. The temperature is about 70 degrees Fahrenheit and continued to drop as the night progresses. Behind them are bushes and the scene takes place near a log created by a fallen tree. Near them is a stream of running water and there are plenty of firewood to be gathered. George is carrying a bindle with beans that he’ll use to make dinner. Far off in the distance they can see the ranch where they’ll report in the morning from the tiny lanterns outside of the house.

3. It’s July 29th, 1941. The time is about 7 P.M. at night and the sun is setting with still enough light that enables the boys to see. However, at the end of the scene, the setting is covered with the darkness of the night and the only things that illuminate the area...