Of Mice and Men

Chapter One
1/ Look at the way that George and Lennie speak. What do their word choices and overall style of
speaking reveal about their characters? Does their style of speech seem realistic? Explain.





2/ Think about Lennies desire to pet soft things: the dead mouse, the girls dress, the rabbits. What
does this tell you about Lennie? What future problems might this desire cause Lennie and George?





3/ How does George react to Lennies forgetfulness, this attempt to hide the mouse and his wish for
ketchup? Why does George react this way?

























4/ Why is the idea of owning land so appealing to George and Lennie? To whom does the dream seem
more important, George or Lennie? Why?














Chapter Two

1/ We learn a lot about the person who once had Georges bunk.
i) What does Candys attitude seem to be toward the man?





ii) What does that mans behaviour suggest about the lives
of ranch hands in general?



2/ Candy recalls a fight between the still unnamed black stable hand and Smitty.
i) What was the reason for the fight?



ii) How did the other ranch hands respond to it?



iii) How do you feel toward the ranch hands because of this incident?

3/ George shows himself to be extremely loyal to Lennie.
i) What does he do?





ii) How does Lennie show his loyalty to George?





iii) Why do you think they remain loyal to each other?





iv) How do the other men react to the loyalty between them?




4/ Curly shows himself to be very insecure.
i) In what ways does he show this?






ii) How is his behaviour different from Slims?



iii) What lessons might Curly learn from Slim?



5/ There is clearly trouble coming for Lennie and George.
i) Which characters might cause them the most trouble?
ii) Which characters might befriend them?




Chapter Three
1/ Slim refuses Candys silent appeal to let the old dog live.
i) Why might Slim think that the dog is better off dead?





ii) What does this attitude say about ranch life?




iii) Do you think that in this instance Slim acts in a God-like manner? Explain.


2/ Whit shows a magazine containing a letter written by a former ranch hand.
i) Why are Whit and the others so impressed by the letters publication?




ii) What does this show about the social lives and ambitions of ranch workers?




3/ George has known Candy for less than a day, yet he quickly agrees to let him share in the farm.
i) Why might George include Candy so readily?






ii) If you were in Georges shoes, would you share your dream with a stranger? Explain.




4/ The fight between Lennie and Curley shows us a more dangerous side of Lennie.
i) Was the fight with Curley in any way Lennies fault, or was it unavoidable?




ii) Why does George stop Slim from helping and instead urge Lennie to fight?




iii) Do you think George should have let Slim go to Lennies aid? Why or why not?



5/ Curley agrees not to tell the truth about the fight.
i) Do you feel that trouble with Curley is over for George and Lennie? Why or why not?
ii) What do you think would be the best way to settle the quarrel?





Chapter 4
1/ We meet Crooks.
i) How is he different from the other ranch hands?







ii) How is he both inferior and superior to the others?





iii) How does he maintain his dignity, despite the abuse he receives?






2/ Crooks joins the dream ranchers.
i) What attracts Crooks to George and Lennies dream of buying a farm?





ii) What causes him to change his mind about wanting to join the others in buying the farm?







iii) Is his pride a weakness or a sign of strength in this instance?






3/ We also meet Curleys wife.
i) What does her life suggest about opportunities for women during the 1930s?





ii) Why is she so isolated on the ranch?






iii) Is she more a victim of her time or of her personality?







4/ George reacts strongly when he learns that Candy and Lennie have revealed their plan to Crooks.
i) Why do you think George responds this way?



ii) In what way is Georges attitude about the plan different from Candys and Lennies?




iii) Why might he have that different attitude?



Chapter Five-Six
1/ Curleys wife seeks out Lennie.
i) Why do you think she does this?




ii) What seems to have led her to marry Curley?



iii) Why is she dissatisfied with her marriage?




iv) What are her dreams and how do they compare to George and Lennies?





2/ Candy berates Curleys dead wife by saying, Everybody knowed youd mess things up. You wasnt no
good.
i) Is his anger justified?

ii) What else might he be angry at?





iii) Why is he so bitter even though George remains calm and quiet?






3/ Analyse the ranch hands reaction to the murder.
i) Why are they so eager to track Lennie down?




ii) What other incidents in the book indicate how theyd likely treat Lennie if they catch
him?





4/ Lennie imagines Aunt Clara and a rabbit accusing him of being a burden on George.
i) What do these visions tell you about Lennies state of mind?





ii) What do they say about Lennies relationship with George?



5/ George decides to shoot Lennie.
i) What are his alternatives?



ii) Did he make the best choice? Why or why not?