Name_______________________________ English 9

Of Mice and Men: Chapter 3

Close Reading Questions

1. At one point, George describes playing jokes on Lenny but then he stopped. Why did he
stop? What did we learn about the loyalty in George and Lennie’s relationship? Pg. 40

2. What are Carlson’s reasons for shooting Candy’s dog?

3. What are Candy’s reasons for not shooting the dog?

4. In what ways is Candy like his dog?

5. George asks the others if they want to play Euchre. What is the significance of Euchre as
a partner’s game rather than an individual game like poker or solitaire which they usually
play? Pg. 48-49

6. On pages 48 and 49, what is personified in the room? What effect does this have on the
scene?
7. Discuss the simplicity of George and Lenny’s dream. What role does the dream of “livin’
off the fatta the lan’” play in Chapter 3? How does the dream affect the characters?
What mood does it create in this scene? Why is that important? (hint – think about what
else happens in the chapter) Pg. 56-61

8. Why should Candy have shot his dog instead of letting Carlson do it? Do you agree?
Explain. Pg. 61

9. Discuss the power relationship between Slim and Curley. What do their fights seem to
result in? Why? What does this exchange reveal about these characters?