Name ______________________________________________ Period_______

Of Mice and Men

Chpt. 1
1. Describe the atmosphere that is created in the first two paragraphs of the novel.
It sounds like there in a forest; trees, a river, critters, bugs, etc. It’s a very peaceful, calming scenery.
2. Describe the two men you are introduced to in this chapter. How are they different physically?
How are the different mentally?
George is a scrawny, small man who has tactic brain. Lennie is a big, built man who is dim witted.
3. Why does George get angry with Lennie after they arrive in the clearing?
Lennie want’s ketchup for the beans.
4. What does the dead mouse in his jacket reveal about Lennie?
Lennie is just a big softy, he has a gentle heart, and he struggles to let go of things (physically and
mentally). And he likes soft things.
5. Why does George urge Lennie to remain quiet when they meet the boss at the ranch where they’ll
be working?
Because off Lennie they were kicked out of there old place. Lennie saw a girls dress and thought it looked
soft so he gripped it firmly and would not let go.
6. Is Lennie capable of manipulating George? Give an example from this chapter.
Yes, he keeps reminding Lennie that he could easily leave him and that his life would be so much better if
he did.
7. What is the purpose of the story of the rabbits that George tells Lennie?
To calm down Lennie and tell him that they can live their dreams.
8. Is George resentful to Lennie? What does George wish he could do? Provide evidence from the
book to support your answer.
George always has to take care of Lennie and get him out of trouble. George just wants to be able to keep
a job and his own food, maybe even settle down with a woman.
9. Why does George say that migrant workers who travel from farm to farm are the loneliest people
in the world?
They don’t have any family, they don’t belong anywhere, and have nothing to look forward to.
10. What dream do George and Lennie share?
To own a big house on a farm and live a carefree life; and to own color, fluffy bunnies.
11. Why do George and Lennie feel they are different from other men?
Because the others don’t travel with others, they travel by themselves.
12. Where does George tell Lennie to go if he gets into trouble? Why do you think George makes it a
point to be sure Lennie understands this?
He tells Lennie to hide in the Brush. He points this out because he is fairly aware of how
easily Lennie can get into trouble as Lennie is not the smartest. That being said Lennie is
also a very forgetful person.

13. Steinbeck describes Lennie like an animal. Give two examples of this. Why does Steinbeck do
this?

14. You may have noticed that Steinbeck uses a lot of slang--- even some curse words and foul
language. Why do you think Steinbeck does this? What effect does the use of this language have
on the way the story is told? How might the story be different if Steinbeck avoided this
technique?
With the curse words it gives more of a rough look onto the characters. It shows that these
characters have been through some crap. With the slang it shows that the characters were
not well nourished, probably didn’t get a good education and are most likely struggling in
life.