Chapter 2

As you read, use context clues and any prior knowledge to determine the meaning of the
following words. The page numbers where you can find the words in the text are included in
parenthesis, but we use a different version – so add 3 to all of the page numbers. Refer to a
dictionary if necessary.

Chapter 2: Vocabulary

Bunk house (19) The place where they sleep, house with beds

Vials (19) Small container for holding liquid medicines

Graybacks (20) Body lice, bed bugs

Skinner (22) A person who skins animals

Relish (22) Great enjoyement

Stocky (23) Sturdily buildt

Stetson hat (23) The typical “cowboy hat”

Cultivator (24) Prepare land for crops

Bale (24) A bound bundle of hay

Mollified (27) Reduce the severity of a situation

Calculating (28) Acting a scheming way

Gingerly (28) Careful or cautious matter

Scrappy (29) Determined, argumentative, pugnacious

Ominously (29) Worryingly – like something bad would happen

Cockier (30) Think very highly of your own abilities, in a bold way

Derogatory (30) Showing a disrespectful attitude

Solitaire (31) A card game

Mules (34) Open, high heeled shoes/ a hybrid animal (horse and donkey)

Nasal (34) A way to speak, breath resonating in the nose

Apprehensive (35) Anxious for something bad to happen

Chapter 2: Study questions

1. What evidence to we have that suggests that the boss is not a working man?

The boss wore a Stetson hat, high heeled boots and spurs to show that he was not a
working man.

2. Describe Curley's personality. Why do you think he acts the way he does?

Curly has a cocky personality, he walks around like he owns the place and think he´s
untouchable. He seems to want to show off lately because he got married. It is also
mentioned that he wore high heeled boots like his father, so he might want to prove
himself to the boss too.

3. What advice does George give Lennie after Curley and the swamper leave?

George advises Lennie to stay away from Curly to keep him out of trouble. He knows that
Curly won´t hesitate if he gets a chance to try to hurt or get Lennie in trouble.

4. Why does Carlson suggest shooting Candy's dog? How does Candy respond?

Carlson wants to shoot Candy´s dog because he is old and stinks up the whole bunk
house. Carlson also thinks that the dog is useless because it has no teeth, can´t eat and is
almost blind. When Candy later finds out, he is not very pleased. He on the other hand
likes to take care of his dog and they have been together since he was a puppy. He finally
lets Carlson shot him because he sees that others agree with him.

5. How is Candy's connection to his dog similar to George's relationship with

Lennie?

Candy´s dog is old and not able to take care of himself, the same applies to Lennie, except
that the old is traded for dumb. George knows that Lennie can´t take care of himself, and
it even gets him in trouble, so George sticks around.

6. What does Slim have that Lennie wants?

Lennie is interested in Slim´s puppies.

7. How do George and Lennie react to seeing Curley's wife for the first time? What is
her name? Why do you think Steinbeck chose to name her this way?

Lennie and George react differently to seeing Curly´s wife for the first time. George
immediately assumes that he knows her type, because he has had some experience in the
 past, whilst Lennie is mesmerized by her but George tells him to stay away. The guys in
the book call her “jailbait” or “tart”, so they objectify her and I guess that the author
wanted to describe her personality and her role in the book.

8. Why do Curley and his wife pose such a threat to George and Lennie? What
George worried about?

George is worried that Lennie will make the same mistake that he did in Weed, and get
them into more trouble and get them fired. Curly is ready to throw some fists at Lennie,
so his wife may also play a role in his emotions.