Of Mice and Men

John Steinbeck

An American author who wrote 27 books and won the Nobel Prize in 1962.

Salinas, California

The small town where John Steinbeck grew up.

Migrant workers

Individuals who travel from place to place to find work, particularly in agriculture.

Great Depression

The severe worldwide economic depression that took place during the 1930s.

Divorce

The legal dissolution of a marriage.

Hollywood

The district in Los Angeles, California, known for being the center of the film industry.

Extended absences

Long periods away from home or work.

Elene Scott

John Steinbeck's third wife.

Heart failure

A medical condition where the heart is unable to pump sufficiently to maintain blood flow.

American Dream

The national ethos of the United States, which promotes the idea of freedom and the opportunity for prosperity.

The Grapes of Wrath

A 1940 novel by John Steinbeck that won the Pulitzer Prize.

Wall Street crash of 1929

The stock market crash that marked the beginning of the Great Depression.

Hobo rail-riding

The act of traveling by illegally hopping onto freight trains.

Murray and Ready’s

A farmwork agency that connected farmers with available workers.

Idiom

A figure of speech or expression that isn't meant to be taken literally.

Slang

Nonstandard vocabulary used informally, particularly by specific groups.

Dialect

A particular form of a language that is peculiar to a specific region or social group.

Pantomime

Acting that consists mostly of gestures and not words.

Reluctantly

Unwillingly; hesitantly.

Mimicking

Imitating.

Contemplated

Considered thoughtfully.

Dejectedly

Sadly; depressed or disheartened.

Skeptically

Showing doubt or disbelief.

Mollified

Pacified, calmed.

Apprehensive

Uneasy or anxious.

Profound

Complete; coming from the depth of one's being.

Complacently

In a self-satisfied manner.

Lead

To guide or direct.

Disarming

Endearing, tending to remove hostility or suspicion.

Indignation

Anger aroused by something unjust or unfair.

Bemused

Put into deep thought or confused.

Consolation

Comfort received after a loss or disappointment.

Innocuous

Not harmful or offensive.

Belligerently

Hostilely, aggressively.

Belligerent

Inclined to or exhibiting assertiveness or aggressiveness.

Quivering

Trembling.

Sulkily

Gloomily.

Writhed

Twisted or contorted.

Sniveled

Cried or wept with sniffling.

Confided

Told private matters not intended for public knowledge.

Retorted

Replied sharply.

Appraised

Evaluated.

Mauled

Handled roughly; beaten up.

Meager

Deficient in quantity or quality.

Plight

A dangerous, difficult, or otherwise unfortunate situation.

Homeostasis

The body's ability to maintain stable internal conditions.

Irony

A figure of speech in which the intended meaning is opposite of the literal meaning.

Foil

A character that contrasts with another character.

Theme

The central topic or idea explored in a text.

Symbolism

The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities.

Imagery

Visually descriptive or figurative language.

Isolation

The state of being separated from others.

Lennie

Tall, strong, with shapeless facial features and bear-like hands.

George

Shorter, wiry, sinewy, muscular, with sharp facial features.

George's first complaint to Lennie

George complains that Lennie drinks the same type of stagnant water that made him ill earlier.

Trouble in Weed

Lennie tried to 'pet' a girl's soft dress, leading to them being run out of town.

Lennie's Behavior Expectations

Lennie is not supposed to speak to the boss to avoid jeopardizing their jobs.

Aunt Clara's Gift

Aunt Clara gave Lennie live mice, but she stopped because he accidentally killed them.

Lennie's Offer to Leave

Lennie offers to leave and live in a cave, but George responds that he wouldn't survive on his own.

Dream of the Farm

George and Lennie's dream to tend their own land, which provides them hope, differentiating them from other migrant workers.

Camping Overnight Reason

George wants to minimize Lennie's social contact before they see him work.

Boss's Anger

The boss is angry at George and Lennie because they were supposed to arrive the night before.

Curley's Behavior

Curley picks fights with bigger men to maintain his superiority.

Crooks' Role

The stable buck who takes care of horses; he is literate and mistreated.

Bosss' Suspicions about George

The boss suspects George is taking advantage of Lennie because it's unusual to see two men traveling together.

George's Explanation to Boss

George says he and Lennie are cousins to rationalize taking care of Lennie.

Curley's Character

Curley is aggressive, cocky, and insecure about his size and marriage.

Curley's Wife Description

Flirtatious, pretty, dressed up for ranch life, seeking companionship but avoided by men.

Slim's Role

The jerkline skinner, respected and admired for his character; he understands George and Lennie's bond.

Slim's Action with Pups

Slim kills four pups to ensure some can survive due to scarce resources.

Lennie's Puppy Wish

Lennie wants George to ask Slim for a puppy as a pet.

Traveling Together Reason

Lennie and George travel together for companionship and mutual support.

Lennie's Childhood

Raised by Aunt Clara; possibly abandoned or lost to circumstances.

George's Story of Weed

The girl screamed when Lennie tried to pet her dress, leading to trouble.

Carlson's Reason for Shooting Dog

Carlson believes Candy's dog is old and no longer able to function.

Slim's Advice to Carlson

Slim instructs Carlson to take a shovel to bury the dog.

Whit on George and Lennie's Purpose

Whit states they must have come to work because they arrived on a Friday.

Curley's Wrong Assumption

Curley thinks Slim is with his wife, but he is actually tending to a mule.

George's Fear with Ranch Dream

He worries others will want to join or take advantage, risking their jobs.

Lennie's Smile Reaction

Lennie smiles thinking of the farm; Curley misinterprets it as mockery.

Curley and Lennie's Confrontation

Curley attacks Lennie; Lennie crushes Curley's hand when given permission to fight.

Crooks' Initial Reaction to Lennie

Crooks initially reacts with anger but warms up to Lennie after realizing his limitations.

Lennie in the Barn

Lennie goes to the barn to see his puppy.

Crooks' Family Background

Crooks' father was a chicken farmer and landowner, taught Crooks about racial dynamics.

Crooks' Opinion on Farm Dream

Initially dismissive, Crooks changes his view once he sees real hope in George and Lennie's dream.

Candy's Plan with Lennie

Candy devises a scheme to profit from raising rabbits.

Crooks' Thoughts on George's Money

Crooks suspects George is spending his money on liquor, cards, and women.

Curley's Wife's Discontent

She dislikes Curley and seeks companionship from other men.

Curley's Wife's Observation

She notices Lennie's bruises are due to Curley's aggression.

Curley's Wife's Threat

She threatens Crooks, asserting her power in response to her mistreatment.

Crooks' Last Words to Candy

He admits to Candy that what Curley's wife said was true, rejecting the farm plan.

Lennie Alone in the Barn

He visits to see his puppy but accidentally kills it.

Lennie's Response to Curley's Wife

He initially tells her he is forbidden to talk to her.

Curley's Wife's Motive to Talk

She seeks companionship and conversation.

Curley's Wife's Missed Opportunity

She claims her mother stopped her from pursuing a career in show business.

Curley's Wife's Marriage Reasoning

Married Curley to escape her mother's control, found herself trapped instead.

Curley's Wife's Soft Item

She encourages Lennie to touch her hair.

Lennie's Accident with Curley's Wife

Lennie accidentally kills her by snapping her spine.

Candy's Initial Reaction to Curley's Wife's Death

Candy first assumes she is sleeping, then blames her for ruining his plans.

Candy's Question to George

Candy asks if the future farm is still possible.