Literature Review: Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men

Vocabulary flashcards covering key characters, settings, expressions, and plot points discussed in the lecture on the opening chapters of the novel.

Weed

The town that George and Lenny had to flee after Lenny touched a woman's pretty dress and caused trouble.

The Great Depression

The historical era during which Steinbeck grew up and set his novel, influencing the depiction of transient labor and the treatment of women.

Curly's wife

A character featured and spoken of throughout the novel who is never referred to by an individual personal name.

Ranch hands

Seasonal workers who rotate from ranch to ranch, stay for short periods of time, and typically travel alone without family.

Candy's dog

An aging animal that Candy had owned for a long time before acquiescing to having it put down in Chapter 3.

Slim

The ranch worker who questions why George travels with Lenny, prompting George to recount their past and explain his role as Lenny's protector.

Aunt Clara

Lenny's late relative who used to give him mice to pet, after whose death George assumed responsibility for Lenny.

Whit

A ranch character who describes Curly's agitated behavior to George using the expression 'ants in the pants.'

Ants in the pants

A colloquial phrase used by Whit to describe Curly's inability to remain still or calm.

Curly

An aggressive ranch character who exchanges heated words with another individual, picks a fight with Lenny, and suffers a hand injury.

Ageless master crossman

The phrase used to describe the tall, thin master figure on the ranch.