of mice and men questions

1. Describe Lennie's physical and mental characteristics. Of the two men, why is George "in charge" of Lennie?

Lennie is mentally challenged. He's big and slumped down and his arms hang loosely at his sides. Since Lennie is mentally challenged, George takes it upon himself to take care of him. Great strength with child's mind. Mentally deficient

Explain why George and Lennie had to leave their job in Weed.

Lennie scared a girl by petting her dress because it fascinated him. When the girl tried to get away from him, he got scared and held onto the dress. The girl started yelling and charged him for rape.

What do the girl's dress Weed and the mouse he carries in his pocket have in common for Lennie?

He likes to pet soft things and both the mouse and the girls dress were soft.

Why does George offer to give Lennie a pup?

Lennie always kills the mice he finds since they're so small. George thought if he gave him a pup he wouldn't kill it.

Why do George and Lennie feel that they are different from other guys?

They believe they have a future with a ranch of their own. They have each other

Describe how things are going to be "some-day" for George and Lennie.

Their going to own a ranch with rabbits and other animals and George will let Lennie look after the rabbits.

What instructions does George give Lennie right before they go to sleep?

Do not talk to anyone at all during the interview at the ranch. Hide in the brush by the river and wait for him if he gets into trouble.

This chapter contains various references to mice. What do mice seem to represent in this chapter? What significance might they have with regard to the title of the book, or to the story itself?

In this chapter, the mice seem to represent a source of comfort for Lennie and show that Lennie doesn't care whether they're dead or not as long as they comfort him. For the title, mice, like men, are both victim to their best laid plans going wrongly.

George remarks that he continually has to get Lennie out of trouble. What things does he say to Lennie that lead one to believe he expects trouble? Does it seem likely or unlikely that his new job will turn out differently for the two of them? Explain.

He tells Lennie to just stick to his business and not to talk to anyone. It seems unlikely that his new job will turn out differently based on the past experiences of the two.

George shows his anger with Lennie, as well as his concern for him. Why do you think George continues to, as Lennie states, "look after me"? Do you think that Lennie contributes anything to their relationship? Is there any sense in which he is able to "look after" George?

George is like a parent to Lennie because he reprimands him and takes care of him like Lennie is his son. Lennie also acts like George's child by listening to him and doing whatever George says.

Explain what makes the boss suspicious when he meets Lennie and George.

George answers all of the questions directed at Lennie, not allowing Lennie to answer for himself.

What does the boss suspect George of doing to Lennie? What makes him think this?

He suspects George wants to take Lennie's pay.

What explanation does Candy give George for Curley's treatment of Lennie?

Curley is always picking fights with the big guys in order to make himself seem tougher since he is small.

Summarize Curley's description of Curley's wife.

She's pretty, but, she's got the "eye". She gives the "eye" to a couple of the ranch workers when Curley isn't looking. Candy also calls her a tart.

Name two things George tells Lennie to do with regard to Curley.

He tells Lennie to stay away from him the best he can and don't ever speak to him.

What does George tell Lennie that Curley's wife is? What does he instruct Lennie to do about her?

A tramp and a jailbait. He instructs Lennie to not look at her or talk to her.

What does George say he's scared he'll do?

He's scared he will fight Curley instead of Lennie because he hates Curley.

George lies to the boss about being Lennie's cousin and about the cause for Lennie's condition. Why do you think he feels it necessary to tell such lies?

He lies about what they used to do for work and why they left Weed. He believes these lies are necessary because he doesn't want anyone to know that they had to run away.

George reminds Lennie, after his instructions to him about Curley, to remember the hiding place by the river. What does this suggest George is thinking?

This foreshadows that Lennie might do something bad when George is not there and will get himself in trouble.

Lennie says he wants to leave the ranch because. "It's mean here." What do you think he's trying to express?

He's trying to say that he believes that there is a lot of trouble at the ranch, which could potentially land Lennie in trouble.

Consider Carlson's suggestion about the old man's (Candy's) dog. Do you agree or disagree with his suggestion? What do you think this suggestion reveals about Carlson's character?

I agree with his suggestion about putting the dog down. It reveals that he does do things for his own personal gain but puts it in a way that's seems like he cares about others.

Describe George's reaction when Slim calls Lennie "a cuckoo."

He gets very defensive and argues that Lennie is not "a cuckoo." Replies that he is dumb but not crazy

How does George explain his relationship with Lennie to Slim?

He explains how he used to make fun of Lennie and play jokes on him because Lennie was "dumb enough" to do anything George asked. He and Lennie are from the same place and that when Aunt CLara died Lennie started to work with him

Why does George tell Slim the truth about what happened in Weed?

Slim believes that Lennie is a nice guy and doesn't mean to ever hurt anybody. George believes Slim can be trusted

Identify what Carlson asks Slim to do for Candy.

He asks Slim to give Candy one of his newborn pups in order for Candy to get rid of his old dog.

What does George ask What about the "new kid," Curley's wife?

He asks if there's been any trouble since she got here.

Why does George refuse to go with What to see whether Slim and Curley will get into a fight?

He doesn't want to get caught up in any trouble.

Describe the offer Candy makes to George. What is George's first reaction? What is his final reaction?

Candy offers to put $350 in for the rabbit ranch if George allows him to come with them. George tries to dismiss it by saying that he'll think about it. When Candy offers to leave his will and make a share for them just in case he dies before they leave, George agrees to allow him to come.

What does Candy say to George about his dog?

He says that he should've shot his dog himself, and shouldn't have let a stranger do it.

Why does Curley attack Lennie? What is the result of his attack?

Lennie was smiling because he was thinking of the rabbit ranch but Curley thought he was laughing with the guys that were making fun of Curley. Lennie tried to stop Curley but crushed his hand.

Explain what Slim makes Curley agree to.

Slim makes Curley agree to saying that he got his hand crushed in a machine.

George tells Slim that he used to play jokes on Lennie but that he finally stopped. What does this indicate to you about George's character?

George realizes that he went too far when Lennie almost drowned and knew he had to stop because Lennie couldn't protect himself.

Slim remarks that Lennie is "jes like a kid." Is that description accurate, in your opinion? Support your answer with reasons.

This description is accurate in my opinion because Lennie's mind hasn't evolved from being a child. He can't take care of himself and doesn't what's right or wrong.

Carlson assures Candy that he can shoot Candy's old dog without him feeling any pain and demonstrates how he would do it. What does this scene reveal about Carlson's character? Why do you think he wants to see the dog killed?

Carlson is revealed as being selfish and pushy because he keeps bugging Candy about his dog.

Slim protects George and Lennie after Lennie's confrontation with Curley. Why do you think he does this? What does this suggest to you about Slim's character.

This reveals that Slim is observant and fair. Slim is a compassionate man and understand Lennie's limited capacities. Fed up with Curley and protects Lennie

Describe how Crooks differs from other ranch hands.

Crooks is African American and a cripple. Because he is alone he can leave things lying around and is more permanent than the other men.

What does Crooks say will happen to Lennie if George doesn't come back?

They will tie him up with a collar like a dog. They'll take him to the booby hatch

In your own words, describe what, according to Crooks, happens to a man if he doesn't have somebody.

If a man doesn't have somebody they would go crazy.

Explain the offer Crooks makes to Candy and Lennie with regard to the place they and George intend to acquire.

Crooks said that he could work for free for nothing except his keep

Briefly restate Curley's wife's explanation for the reason guys don't talk unless they are alone.

If she talks to a guy when they are alone they are fine around her but if there are more of them hey don't want anything to do with her. They're scared of each other.

What does Curley's wife say she might have done instead of marrying Curley?

She might of been in the pictures or moved to Hollywood.

Why does Curley's wife threaten Crooks? What does she threaten him with?

She threatens him because he told her to get out of his bedroom. She threatens him in saying she could get him killed easily and no one would believe his word over her own. She tells him to keep his place, she can get him hanged.

What does Curley's wife say to Lennie about Curley?

She's glad he broke his hand because maybe he would stop trying to beat up bigger guys and teach himself a lesson.

Crooks tells Lennie he now knows why his old man didn't like his playing with white kids. What do you think he means by this? What does he now "know"?

He means that the white kids thought they were better than him and that they were to not be trusted. Adults don't have the capacity to be accepting of anyone different.

10. Crooks says, "Everybody wants a little piece of land' ... and nobody gets no land. It's just in their head." Is it possible that George, Lennie, and Candy will be the exception to this? Explain.

It is possible that they could be the exception to this because it seems as though they have a lot planned out already but with how Lennie is something like that could never happen.

Curley's wife indicates that she doesn't like her husband. Why do you think she married him? Base your answer on what you know about her character.

She married him because she thought she would have more money and could have more control over her own life after falling in love with the first guy she saw. To get away from a dead end situation.

Crooks tells Candy to forget what he said about hoeing and doing odd jobs on their dream ranch, saying that he didn't mean what he said, and that he wouldn't want to go to a place like that. Do you believe that he didn't mean what he said? What other reason might he have for changing his mind about joining the others.

I don't believe he didn't mean what he said but from how Curley's wife treated him it made him doubt if it was a good idea and if it was going to work which made him say we didn't want to be a part of it. To avoid rejection

Explain why Lennie gets angry at his dead puppy.

He got angry at his puppy because if George found out he killed it he thought he wouldn't let him tend the rabbits.

Why does Curley's wife say she wants to talk to Lennie?

She wants to talk to Lennie because she wants to flirt with him. She gets lonely and wants to talk to people

What does Curley's wife give Lennie as the reason for her having married Curley?

She wanted to explain her life to him and so he could understand what she had to do. She married him because she thought he would give her opportunity

Explain why Lennie becomes angry with Curley's wife. What is the result of his anger?

He becomes angry with Curley's wife because she wouldn't stop screaming as he is choking her. He breaks her neck

What does Candy tell George they should do about Lennie?

Candy says they should let him get away

What does George tell Candy he has known all along?

George knew that something like that would happen again and Lennie would get into trouble. He always knew but he kept telling George they were

What does Slim tell George might happen to Lennie if they bring him in?

Slim tells George they would either take him to jail, an asylum, or kill him.

What does George suggest about Carlson's gun?

Lennie took it with him when he ran away. Carlson might of lost his gun

What does Curley say he's going to do to Lennie?

Curley says he is going to gut Lennie for crushing his hand and killing his wife.

Curley's wife tells Lennie she could have been in the movies, could have made something of herself, had it not been for her mother's interference. Consider Steinbeck's description of her after Lennie has left the barn. Do you think she is deluding herself or not? Explain.

She is deluding herself to something that could've never happened. Lacked talent discipline and responsibility.

Candy knows that he and George won't get the place together. Why do you think George is unwilling to go in with Candy?

Since George and Lennie had come up with the plan from the beginning George wouldn't feel right doing it without him.

Slim tells George it wouldn't be good for Lennie to be locked up, strapped down, and put in a cage. What do you think he is suggesting to George? Do you agree or not? Explain your reasons.

Slim is suggesting that George kills Lennie so he doesn't have to go through that kind of pain. I agree but also think Lennie should have a punishment.

Carlson states that Lennie stole his pistol, that it wasn't lost. Is there another possible explanation for the missing gun?

George took it and hid it so he had something to use on Lennie. Protection for himself or Lennie

What does Lennie repeatedly tell his "Aunt Clara" when she accuses him of doing bad things and not minding George?

He tells her George will forgive him and that he isn't mad at him. He tried and tried but couldn't help it

Identify the statement the gigantic rabbit repeats to taunt Lennie.

The rabbit repeats to Lennie that George won't let him tend the rabbits and that he's gonna beat him with a stick. George is going to leave him

Describe George's reaction and reply when Lennie says he thought George was mad at him.

George is quiet and then starts yelling at Lennie saying he's not mad at him and he's not gonna give him hell. He's not mad

What does Carlson assume happened to Lennie? What does George say?

Lennie had his gun but George got it from him and was able to shoot Lennie in the head.

Describe what Slim does at the end of the novel. What does he tell George?

Slim tries to console George and tells him that he had to or else Lennie would end up somewhere worse. He did what he had to do

Both Lennie's Aunt Clara and a gigantic rabbit appear while Lennie waits for George. What might each of these figures represent? Support your answer with evidence from the novel.

Lennie's Aunt Clara represents what sense of reason Lennie might have while that rabbit is more of a realist in the situation. Berates him for not being good. Rabbit represent Lennie's deepest fear of being abandoned by George

Lennie tells Aunt Clara that he "tried and tried" but that he "couldn't help" doing bad things. Were the things Lennie did "bad"? Could he "help it"?

Lennie did really bad things but based on his psychological abilities and his childlike mind these things could not of been helped.

George tells Lennie he isn't mad at him and never has been. And that he wants Lennie to know that. In your opinion, why does George say this? Do you think he is telling Lennie the truth? Support your opinion with facts form the novel.

George says this so Lennie knows in the very end that George doesn't hate him. I think he is telling Lennie the truth despite what kind of things Lennie has done. George has been angry with him before but mostly frustration in taking care of Lennie

Slim tells George, in essence, that he did what he had to do about Lennie. Do you agree or disagree with Slim? Explain. Are there others possibilities that George could have considered? If so, what are they?

I agree with Slim because if George hadn't killed Lennie then Lennie would of been sent off somewhere by himself and wouldn't of lasted very long. Some other possibilities that George could have considered might of been seeking help from someone when giving more money or finding someone to look after Lennie.

Compare and contrast George and Lennie both physically and mentally. Are they static characters who remain essentially the same throughout the novel, or dynamic characters who undergo change and development? Support your answer with evidence from the novel.

George is a small and skinny farmer that is somewhat smart. Lennie is a large strong man that is also mentally challenged causing him to act like a child. In the beginning of the novel, George did not seem to have anything to do with any other workers. His main priority was to keep Lennie out of trouble. As they moved to the new bunkhouse, George became more involved with other people. Lennie's character remained almost the same throughout the novel. In the beginning of the novel, when George was describing his life without Lennie, Lennie said he could go into a cave in a mountain and never talk to George again, and he continues to say the same thing to his mother later in the novel.

George and Lennie are alike only in their dress (denim trousers, coats, with brass buttons etc) but they are the opposite physically.

Describe the relationship between George and Lennie. Why did the boss and others find their relationship so unusual?

The relationship between George and Lennie is dependent on their strengths. Because George can find them jobs and Lennie is so strong, they both can find jobs a lot easier. Others found their relationship unusual because most migrant workers travel alone, and are very independent.

Lennie explains the realtionship between him and George, stating "I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you."

Boss and others find relationship unusual because they are migrant workers

Migrant workers are typically loners

Curley says that they have an abnormal relationship

Identify the character traits of Crooks, the stable hand. What function does he serve in the novel, in your opinion? Describe his reaction to George and Lennie's dream.

in your opinion? Describe his reaction to George and Lennie's dream.

Crooks is a spiteful and bitter stable hand. Because he is isolated and works so hard for little to no pay, he is eager to hear about Lennie's dream farm and offers to help in the fields when they get the land. His reaction to George and Lennie's dream was surprised and eager because he knows the idea is unrealistic but eager to ask if he can help on their farm.

Crooks is "a proud, aloof man. He kept his distance and demanded that other people keep theirs."

He is bitter, lonely with a slightly mean streak

Reveals bitterness to Lennie because he says he is a black man

Says to lennie that he is lucky to have george if he doesn't understand everything

Jealousy of George and Lennie relationship erupts when he taunts Lennie with the suggestion that George might not come back

Trace the development of the relationship between George and Slim from the beginning of the novel to the end. How would you describe their relationship? How does it differ from George's relationship with Lennie?

Slim empathizes George's situation with Lennie, and their relationship is different from George's relationship with Lennie because, George does not need to look out for Slim the same way he looks out for Lennie.

Relationship develops at their first meeting

Slim's tone is friendly

George feels like slim is someone he can talk to and trust

After george kills lennie, it is slim who takes charge and tries to comfort George by telling him he had done what he had to do.

Analyze the function of the author's use of mice in chapter 1 with regard to the development of the plot

The author's use of mice foreshadows what will happen to Curley's wife. The mice are found dead and "broken" by Lennie, as he doesn't realize his own strength; this also happens when he accidentally breaks Curley's wife's neck shaking her to stop screaming.

Chapter 1: george on 2 occasions takes mice away from Lennie

One already dead and other George says was "broken" from too much petting

Uses to establish Lennie's passion for stroking soft things

Evaluate the conflict between Curley and "other men" in general and between Curley and Lennie in particular.

Curley feels the need to make himself dominant among "other men" because of his insecurity about his size. Curley specifically targets Lennie moreso because Lennie is very big.

According to candy, the conflict between Curley and "other men" stems from the fact that Curley is not a big man

Curley beating lennie is an extension of Curley's insecurity

Trace and describe the progression of the "bad things" Lennie did from the beginning of the novel to the end.

Lennie "broke" the mice, touched the girl's dress and was accused of rape as a result, he crushed Curley's hand, accidentally killed his puppy, and accidentally killed Curley's wife.

Compare and contrast the encounters between Lennie and the girl (in Weed) in the red dress and between Lennie and Curley's wife in the barn. Explain how each of these encounters contributes to the development of the plot.

The encounter between Lennie and the girl in the red dress was a minor situation exaggerated by the girl, but Lennie's character develops and now he is more sensitive, and panics much more, which is illustrated in his encounter with Curley's wife in the barn.

Identify the setting of each chapter of the novel and label the pattern Steinbeck establishes through the sequence of theses settings. What time span is covered in the novel.

Chapter 1: Weed & river, chapter 2 & 3: ranch bunkhouse, chapter 4 & 5: barn, chapter 6: edge of river. Steinbeck establishes a circular pattern in his settings, having the story come full circle with the beginning and ending both taking place near a river. He also sets up his story with 3 main locations, acting like acts in a play. (river, bunkhouse, bunkhouse, barn, barn, river)

Describe the function and appearance of the bunkhouse. Explain how the description of the bunkhouse contributes to the author's general portrayal of ranch hands as transient loners who connected to nothing.

The author exaggerates the negative features of the bunkhouse, such as the whitewashed walls and unpainted floors. Because the bunkhouse was so simple, it emphasized that the ranch hands were only there for a short time. (p. 17)

Identify the point of view Steinbeck employs in telling his story. How does the point of view contribute to the story's effectiveness?

Steinbeck's point of view contributes to the story's effectiveness because it is written in the 3rd person which limits the reader's insight into the characters minds.