Of Mice and Men English Study Guide

What are some physical character traits of George as described in chapter 1?

Small and quick, Restless(always moving) eyes & sharp strong features, dark skin(tan) & lean(muscular)

What does George seem like in chapter 1?

He seems angry with life and has a quick temper, cares for Lennie, can also be bossy when looking after Lennie.

Why is George considered a leader?

He helps himself and Lenny find jobs and also coaches Lennie on how to keep it.

What does George say life would be like for him if he didn’t have to watch over Lennie?

He would be able to live life much easier not having to worry about Lennie’s well-being, he also said that at the end of the month he could take his $50 and go spend it like all of the other guys.

What are some physical character traits of Lennie as described in chapter 1?

A huge man(tall and strong), Large pale eyes, wide sloping shoulders, walks heavily(drags his feet like a bear), and a shapeless face(no prominent features)

What does Lennie seem like in chapter 1?

Not very smart(forgets everything), sensitive, likes soft things(pets the mouse), innocent(means no harm), manipulative(threatens to leave if George says he can), and dependent on George for guidance.

What kind of disability does Lennie have?

Down syndrome

What are some of Curley’s character traits?

Small but super aggressive, married, bossy, mean, big ego, cocky, scary, showoff, light-weight boxer, skilled in the ring, acts like the boss because he’s the boss’s son, doesn’t like big people, can fight anyone on the ranch because he’ll never get fired.

What is Curley’s role?

antagonist

What would it mean if Curley fought someone bigger than him?

If he would fight someone bigger and lose, then it would look unfair because the other guy was bigger, but if he were to win, then he would be seen as tough.

What are some of Candy’s character traits?

Knowledgeable, caring, welcoming, reassuring, old, disabled(missing a hand), swamper(cleans the bunkhouse and areas around the ranch)

What is Candy’s role?

Catalyst - he sets things in motion(Ex. ch2 helps George and Lennie get to know the ranch)

What are some of Slim’s character traits?

Friendly, wise, respected, skilled worker, “Gravity in his manner”(pulls people in),has a calming presence, a natural leader, empathetic, gentle voice, commanding presence ordering people’s attention, neat and put together.

What are some of the ways Slim is described?

Has an aura about him(everyone stops and listens when he talks), Ear hears more than what is said(understands beyond thought), moves with majesty only achieved by royalty, he is considered the prince of the ranch because he is so respected, authority is so great that his word is taken on any subject.

What is Slim’s role?

minor character but a significant one.

What are some of Carlson’s character traits?

Hates Candy’s dog(it’s smelly) and wants to put it down-Selfish for not caring about Candy when he wants to shoot the dog, friendly to George and Lennie

What is Carlson’s role?

Stock character- a stereotypical ranch hand

What are some of Curley’s wife’s character traits?

Flirty, called a tart, pretty, lonely- wears a full face of makeup and hair done, and wears shoes typically worn to a dance.

When Curley’s wife walks around the ranch talking to guys…

she’s lonely and bored and looking for someone to talk to.

What is Curley’s Wife’s role?

antagonist, she could tempt Lennie who had problems with a girl in weed.

When Carlson was trying to get Candy to let him put his dog down, what was Slim’s reaction to Candy?

When Candy looked at him for help, Candy realized that his dog was going to no matter what. Slim showed sympathy and understanding, but ultimately supported Carlson's decision.

What realization did Candy have?

Candy realizes that once he is useless, he will be kicked off the ranch and left to die.

What happens after Carlson loses horseshoes to Crooks in chapter 3?

Carlson is angry about it and takes his anger out on Candy’s dog saying he wants to shoot it, Candy then looks at Slim to see if he’ll want the dog to be put down and although Slim doesn’t say anything, he gives Candy a sympathetic look, confirming his support for Carlson's decision.

Why does Slim think Candy’s dog should be put down?

The dog is old, in pain, and suffering which is why he thinks it should be put out of its misery.

What does it mean when they say Slim has “God-like eyes” and his “opinions were law”?

He has authority and sees everything and understands.

When Carlson leads the dog out, what is Candy’s reaction?

He’s sad; he’s laying on his bed facing up because he does not want to watch his dog get shot.

How does Candy offer to help join George and Lennie’s dream?

He offers his life savings to help buy a piece of land which they negotiate down and pay the rest later.

Why does Candy want to join the dream?

It will save him from life on the streets, and it will finally be a home for him where he feels useful.

Why did Curley punch Lennie?

It was because Curley didn’t like big people and Lennie was also smiling after talking about the dream, but Curley thought he was laughing at him. Curley then wants to prove himself.

What is Lennie’s first reaction to when Curley was trying to fight him?

He was frozen in fear.

What does Lennie do to Curley?

He crushes Curley’s hand.

Why was Lennie confused?

George told him to fight back but when he crushed Curley’s hand he told him to let go.

Why was the fight between Curley and Lennie significant?

It showed that Lennie can pose a threat to the other ranchers seeing as how he doesn’t know his own strength, but Lennie did not mean to do this much damage.

What could happen to George and Lennie after the fight?

They could be fired, but Slim tells Curley to say that it was an accident so that they can keep their job.

Instead of going to work, George decides to go into the natural clearing, why do you think that is list 2?

It could’ve been because of what Lennie did in weed, but it could have also been because he wanted a last sense of freedom.

How is George and Lennie’s dream more like the natural setting(the brush) instead of the man made setting(the ranch)?

Their dream of owning a farm is more like the natural setting because they explain that they want to live off of what the land provides including growing their own crops while Lennie tends to the rabbits. They also wouldn’t have to take orders and George wouldn’t have to worry about Lennie.

What is Crooks’s life like?

He is forced to live in a room off the barn because of his skin color(racism), and he is often isolated from the other workers. Crooks experiences significant loneliness and seeks companionship, revealing his desire for connection.

How is Crooks treated by the other ranchers?

With disrespect and is called racial slurs, sometimes threatened(ex. Curley’s wife)

How does Crooks respond to this treatment?

Shuts down and has no emotions, he’s responds this way because he wants to protect himself from people who treat him poorly.

Ableism

The discrimination of someone with a mental disability.

What is Lennie’s life like?

He has down syndrome and acts like a young child.

How is Lennie treated by others?

Treated as useless band doesn’t have much to bring to the table.

How does Lennie respond to this treatment?

He doesn’t understand things and constantly relies on George for guidance and protection.

What is Candy’s life like?

Old and full of fear and loneliness

How is Candy treated by others?

No respect

How does Candy respond to this treatment?

He knows nobody will listen to him and once he gets older he’ll be thrown out on the street.

What is Curley’s wife’s life like?

She’s lonely and unhappily married, with no friends or family. Steinbeck not giving her a name shows how she really is a nobody.

How is Curley’s wife treated by others?

They call her names, judge her for the way she dresses, and spread rumors.

How does Curley’s Wife respond to this treatment?

She goes around the ranch looking for people to talk to.

What was Curley’s Wife’s dream?

She wanted to be an actress, she met an actor who said he could put her in the show but her mom said she was too young, later on she met another actor who said he would write to her but never did.

Why didn’t Curley’s wife get to live her dream?

She was held back by her mother's strictness and later let down by the promises of an actor so she then marries Curley who she doesn’t even like.

Did George have another choice than to shoot Lennie?

No, Curley would’ve killed Lennie anyway which would’ve been more painful and if he were to be locked up, he wouldn’t know why he was there in the first place(forgetful).

Slim said that George had to shoot Lennie as a…

act of mercy

Do Candy and George go on to live their dream?

No, they do not achieve their dream of owning a piece of land together, as their plans are ultimately shattered by Lennie's death. George also said that w/o Lennie he’d work a month, get his money, spend it, repeat.

What was Curley’s dream and how did it fail?

His dream was to become a boxer but then failed when Lennie crushed his hand.

When Curley’s dream failed, what was the effect of him?

He became more angry and wouldn’t be able to take his anger out on boxing which made him feel like he had power.

What was Lennie’s dream and how did it fail?

To have a farm and tend to the rabbits, but later on he died.

What was Crooks’s dream and how did it fail?

To join George and Lennie with their dream, but he was then reminded by Curley’s wife that he’s black and it won’t happen.

What was the effect on Crooks after being reminded by Curley’s wife his dream won’t ever happen?

He becomes emotionless and lost, then starts to get defensive saying she should leave.

What was Candy’s dream and how did it fail?

To live on a farm with George and Lennie, but after Lennie's death, he realizes it will never come true.

What was the effect on Candy after finding out his dream with George and Lennie won’t come true?

He feels deep despair and hopelessness, realizing he will die alone without companionship.

What was George’s dream and how did it fail?

To get enough money to buy land with Lennie, it failed because he killed Lennie.

What was the effect on George after no being able to fulfill his dream?

Lost motivation and became a stereotypical ranch hand, no more purpose, just another “Carlson”(Stock character)

How does Candy remain a catalyst after chapter 2?

Gets the dream in motion by offering money to go in with them.

What is the theme of Of Mice and Men?

Even the best laid plans don’t work out sometimes.

What is irony?

contrast between expectation and reality, often involving saying the opposite of what's meant

What is foreshadowing?

A literary device that hints at future events in a story, creating suspense or expectation.

What is personification?

A figure of speech where human qualities are attributed to animals, inanimate objects, or abstract concepts.