Of Mice and Men Vocab #1 🐭🌾🐇

morosely (adv.)

very serious, unhappy, and quiet

ex.  “George still stared _ at the fire. “When I think of the swell time I could have without you, I go nuts. I never get no peace’” (7)

pantomime (v.)

to convey emotions through actions

ex. “But Lennie made an elaborate _ of innocence. “What mouse, George? I ain’t got no mouse.’”

contemplate (v.)

to think about, ponder

ex. “Lennie hesitated, backed away, looked wildly at the brush line as though he _ running for his freedom.”

reluctant (adj.)

unwilling, stubborn

ex. “Lennie _ reached into his pocket. His voice broke a little. “I don’t know why I can’t keep it’”

brusque (adj.)

being blunt in manner or speech; seeming ungracious or very harsh

ex. He carried one small willow stick in his hand. George sat up. “Awright,” he said _.

“Gi’me that mouse!”

dejected (adj.)

disheartened, depressed 

ex. “Lennie sat down on the ground and hung his head _. “I don’t know where there is no other mouse.’”

quiver (v.)

to shake

ex. “Blubberin’ like a baby! Jesus Christ! A big guy like you.” Lennie’s lip _ and tears started in his eyes."

mimic (v.)

to imitate

ex. He took on the elaborate manner of little girls when they are _ one another. “Jus’ wanted to feel that girl’s dress’”

anguish (n.)

suffering, pain

ex. His anger left him suddenly. He looked across the fire at Lennie’s _ face, and then he looked ashamedly at the flames.

skeptical (adj.)

showing doubt; to be doubtful or suspicious of something

ex. “This Curley punk is gonna get hurt if he messes around with Lennie.”

“Well, Curley’s pretty handy,” the swamper said skeptically (14).

mollify (v.)

to calm in temper or feeling, soothe

ex. (George was mad before this) “Damn right he don’t,” said George, slightly _, “not if he wants to stay workin’ long.” 

ominous (adj.)

threatening

ex. George was watching the door. He said _, “Well, [Curley] better watch out for Lennie.”

derogatory (adj.)

belittling, rude

ex. “That’s a dirty thing to tell around,” he said. The old man was reassured. He had drawn a _ statement from George.

plaintively (adv.)

sadly

ex. “I don’t want no trouble,” he said _contorted (adj.; v.). “Don’t let him sock me, George.”

contorted (adj.; v.)

twisted, distorted (think of a contortionist)

ex. “...Look, Lennie, if you get in any kind of trouble, you remember what I told you to do?” Lennie raised up on his elbow. His face _ with thought.

apprehensive (adj.)

uneasy or fearful of something to come

ex. She was suddenly _. “’Bye, boys,” she called into the bunk house, and she hurried away.

profound (adj.)

having deep insight or understanding

ex. There was a gravity in his manner and a quiet so _ that all talk stopped when he spoke.

complacent (adj.)

pleasant, satisfied with how things are and not wanting to change them

(very negative connotation)

ex. Lennie, who had been following the conversation back and forth with his eyes, smiled _ at the compliment. 

precede (v.)

to come before

ex. Carlson stepped back to let Slim _ him, and then the two of them went out the door.

derision (n.)

contemptuous ridicule or mockery. to make fun of someone in a mean, harsh way

ex. Through the open door came the thuds and occasional clangs of a horseshoe game, and now and then the sound of voices raised in approval or _.

nuisance (n.)

an obnoxious or annoying person, thing, condition, or practice

ex. “’Course Lennie’s a God dvmn _ most of the time,” said George.

subdue (v.)

to conquer; to get control of (such as a strong emotion)

ex. Slim gazed at him for a moment and then looked down at his hands; he _ one hand with the other, and held it down…