Describe George.
small, quick, dark face, restless eyes, sharp strong features
Describe Lennie.
large man, shapeless face, large pale eyes, wide shoulders.
What does Lennie take out of his pocket that gets him yelled at by George? What did Lennie want to do with this item?
He took out a mouse because he wanted to pet it.
Where are George and Lennie going? From where are George and Lennie coming?
They are going to a ranch to work and they are coming from Weed.
What can we infer about Lennie and George's past based on the statements in chapter 1? Defend your answer.
They do not have much luck with work, and George is annoyed with Lennie often. Because they move from town to town and George yells at Lennie a lot
Who used to give Lennie mice? Why did she stop giving Lennie mice?
Aunt Clara used to give Lennie mice but she stopped because he would kill them
What does George imply happened in Weed with the girl?
Lennie wanted to feel a girls dress and pet it as if it were a mouse, and he grabbed the dress, men were searching for George and Lennie and they had to flee the area.
What dream does George and Lennie share?
They both dream of a better life owning their own land and being their own boss
Where does George tell Lennie to go if he gets in trouble?
George tells lennie to hide in the bushes near where they are camping
Explain the relationship that exists between George and Lennie based on Chapter 1 of the book.
The relationship between George and Lennie based on the information we're given in Chapter One, would be that of a parent/child or older/ younger sibling relationship. Regardless, we understand from the first chapter that it is impossible for Lenny to tak
stable buck
a stable is a building where horses are kept. A buck, in this case, is a derogatory word for
a black man. A stable buck, then, would be a black man who works in a stable.
skinner
a mule driver
cesspool
an underground container for the temporary storage of liquid waste and sewage.
irony
the use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning. Often Lennie doesn't understand irony.
What is an example of something ironic from this chapter?
The Boss of the ranch asks what George and Lennie did in Weed. George answers, "We...we was diggin' a cesspool". - The irony is that they were actually hiding in a cesspool to escape the men and their dogs hunting them down in Wee
direct characterization
George is a sharp, small man with distinctive features and restless eyes. He is also said to be very defined in every way.
indirect characterization
George often is very questioning and critical of most everything. This shows his intrusive, almost apprehensive, way of thinking about things. He wants to know everything about something before he accepts it.
1. According to the old man, why was the boss mad at George and Lennie?
because he was expecting them and they never came for work.
2. What does George find in the box by his bed and what does he assume?
small yellow can. he assumes that the bed is filthy with lice and roaches.
3. Describe the "stable buck." What physical attributes does he have? What does the boss use him for?
Black, crooked back, he gets beaten up by the boss.
4. Describe the fight between the "stable buck" and Smitty.
Smitty started the fight, but the rest of the guys wouldn't let Smitty use his legs because of Crooks' bad back. Crooks beat him up and Smitty just made excuses why he didn't win.
5. What is Lennie's last name?
small
6. What does the boss suspect George of doing to Lennie? What makes him think this?
The boss thinks that George is taking Lennie's money (selling him out). He thinks this because George won't let Lennie talk.
7. What reason does George give for taking care of Lennie?
He lies and says they're cousins and that he promised his "old lady" that he would look after him.
8. What is George's last name?
Milton
9. Who is Curley?
The boss's son, thin, brown eyes, tightly curled hair, 1 work glove, high-heeled boots
10. What does the swamper tell George about Curley's left hand?
He keeps a glove full of Vaseline on it to keep it "soft" for his new wife.
11. Describe Curley's wife.
She gives people the eye, she is very pretty.
12. Why does she come into the bunkhouse?
She came in looking for Curly but we can infer she came in to show off.
13. Describe Slim. What is his job on the ranch? What are some of his character traits?
Slim is a jerkline skinner, who works with mules, he is very nice to people.
14. What did Slim do to four of his pups? Why?
He drowns four because the mama couldn't feed them all.
15. What does Lennie want George to ask Slim?
He wanted to ask Slim if he had a brown or white dog that Lennie could have.
Describe the atmosphere of the ranch and bunkhouse. Be sure to include characteristics of different characters that were formally or informally introduced to us in this chapter.
While the bunkhouse is friendly enough, there is a sense of "keep to yourself" amongst every person. No one really forms long lasting relationships because they know that anyone of them could head out the next day for another job. There isn't a lot of tru
Luger
German semi automatic pistol
theme
the main message in the story
What is a theme of the novel so far?
isolation, discrimination, friendship, the American dream
Eternal conflict
man vs man
Lennie vs Curly
Man vs Nature
Lennie vs Water
man vs. Society
Lennie vs Society (education)
George and Lennie vs Government (need work)
Internal conflict
person vs self
george vs decision to stay with Lennie
1. What does Slim say he would have done to the dog if he hadn't given it to Lennie?
Killed them/it
2. What does Slim say he finds funny?
That George and Lennie travel together.
George says if he were really smart he would be doing what?
Own his own land and not work like a dog for someone else to profit
4. What is the story behind why Lennie and George travel together?
George knew Lennie's from the time they were kids and when Lennie's Aunt Clara died, George promised he'd look after him.
5. What can the reader infer about Lennie's childhood and family life?
Aunt Clara took good care of him, but he struggled with his peer groups which made fun of him and played tricks on him.
6. What did George do once that made him stop playing jokes on Lennie?
He told Lennie to jump into a lake, and Lennie couldn't swim, but he did it anyway and almost drowned
7. What card game does George play?
solitaire
8. What does George tell Slim happened in Weed?
Lennie tried to pet a girl's dress because he thought it was soft; she screamed, so he grabbed her dress harder; when she got away, she claimed Lennie raped her.
9. What sneaky thing does Lennie try to do?
Bring his puppy from Slim into the bunkhouse
10. What game has the other guys been playing while George and Slim talk?
Horseshoes
11. What is Carlson's problem and what does he tell Candy to do?
He doesn't like Candy's dog because he smells bad and is too old to do anyone any good; he tells Candy to shoot the dog.
12. What reasons does Carlson give for wanting Candy's dog shot?
The dog smells bad; has no teeth; can barely walk; can't do Candy any good; can't do itself any good
13. What does Whit show Slim?
A magazine with a letter published in it from a former ranch hand
14. What does Carlson say he has?
a Luger�a pistol
15. What does Slim tell Carlson to take with him when goes to shoot Candy's dog? Why?
A shovel to bury the dog.
16. Whit says that George and Lennie must have come to work. What reason does he give?
Because they came on Friday and have to work all day Saturday before they get their day off on Sunday and the three free meals that come on their day off
17. What does Whit invite George to do "tomorrow" night?
Go to town to Susy's brother
18. Why don't the guys visit Clara's house instead of Susy's?
Because Susy's is "cleaner" and cheaper; Susy tells good jokes and doesn't mind if the guys just want to buy a shot and not have a "flop" with a prostitute
19. Why does George say he will go and get a drink but that he isn't going to pay for a flop?
Because he doesn't want to spend his money on girls when he and Lennie are saving up for their ranch.
20. What is Curley looking for?
His wife; Slim; a fight...
21. What does Curley think Slim is doing?
messing with his wife
22. What is Slim really doing in the barn?
He's tarring a mule's hoof
23. Who has been listening to and finally interrupts George and Lennie's conversation about the ranch?
candy
24. For what reason would the people sell the ranch for only $600?
Because the old lady needs an operation and the couple is broke
25. How did Candy get $250?
As compensation for losing his right hand.
26. What is George afraid will happen to them if others find out they are going to buy a ranch?
They will try to get them all fired because no one wants to see some guys get their dreams.
27. What does Candy tell George he wishes he had done?
shot his own dog
28. Why was Lennie smiling?
He's thinking about the ranch and the rabbits
29. About what does Curley think Lennie smiling about?
he thinks lennie is making fun of him
30. What happens between Curley and Lennie?
They fight; Curley starts out by punching Lennie's face, but then Lennie crushes every bone in Curley's hand.
31. There are some similarities between Candy and his dog and George and Lennie. In a paragraph explain the similarities
A very revealing quote in the book is made by Carlson, who suggests to Candy that "That dog ain't no good to hisself." The conventional wisdom in the bunkhouse with the guys is that the dog needs to be put out of his misery, that it is something expendabl
verbal irony
A contradiction between what is said and what is meant
example: sarcasm- when George tells Lennie to go jump in a lake.
symbolism
When one thing represents another and yet, keeps its own meaning
1. What are two books that Crooks owns?
CA Civil Code of 1905 and a Dictionary
2. How does Crooks react to Lennie when he comes to visit?
Crooks gets upset at first, and then becomes more friendly.
3. For what reason did Lennie come to the barn?
Lennie's wants to see his puppy
4. Where is George?
into town
5. What do we learn about Crooks family?
They are from California and used to own a chicken ranch
6. What does Lennie tell Crooks, even though he probably shouldn't have?
The ranch that Lennie, George, and Candy are going to buy
7. What is Crook's opinion of George and Lennie desire to get land?
Crooks doesn't believe that any of the workers ever really buy any land
8. About what did Candy want to talk to Lennie?
A plan to make money off of Lennie's rabbits
9. Where is George's money going, according to Crooks.
towards drinks and girls
10. Who visits Crooks, Candy, and Lennie?
curley's wife
11. What do we learn about Curley's wife?
that she could have been in "pitchers"or went with the "shows
12. Before Curley's wife leaves, what does she notice about Lennie?
bruises on his face
13. What does Curley's wife say she could have done to Crooks?
strung him up a tree and get him fired
14. What is the last thing Crooks says to Candy?
he was just kidding and that he really wouldn't want to go no place like that
15. How is the theme of loneliness developed in this chapter? Think about the characters Lennie, Crooks, Candy, and Curley's wife.
Candy is all alone, he made friendships in the past but they have moved on but Candy remained. The only thing that loved him was his dog and now that it was put down, he is lonely. Curley's wife is surrounded by men but has no friends. She is dangerous an
personification
Giving an inanimate objects human like traits
Example- Lennie's rabbits yelling at him
1. What day and time is it at the beginning of chapter 5?
A Sunny Afternoon
2. What is Lennie doing in the barn by himself?
Lennie is petting a dead puppy.
3. Why does Lennie think that he might not get to tend the rabbits?
Because Lennie killed a puppy himself.
4. Who visits Lennie in the barn?
Curley's Wife
5. According to Curley's wife, why isn't anyone going to leave the horseshoe tournament?
The other men are occupied with the horseshoe tournament outside.
6. According to Curley's wife, how come she didn't get into show business?
Curley's wife's mother wouldn't allow it.
7. What can we infer is the reason Curley's wife married Curley?
She had nothing better to do!
8. What plan does Lennie have to avoid getting in trouble?
Lennie was going to try to bury them or lie to george and tell him he found the puppy dead.
9. What did Lennie lose that he wishes he had now?
The puppy
10. For what does Curley's wife yell at Lennie?
Pulling her hair and being too rough.
11. What did Lennie do to Curley's wife?
Lennie broke her neck and killed her.
12. Who finds Curley's wife?
Candy
What does Candy hopefully ask George?
Candy asks George if the two of them can still buy the farm.
14. What favor does George ask of Candy?
George worries that the other men will think that he had something to do with the death of Curley's wife, so he instructs Candy how to inform them. George will pretend that he has not seen the body and act surprised when Candy delivers the news.
15. What does Carlson think happened to his Luger?
Lennie stole it
16. Where is Lennie hiding?
Lennie is hiding in a dry river bed the same place where the story began.
17. With whom does Lennie have his first imaginary conversation?
His aunt clara
18. With whom/what does Lennie have his second imaginary conversation?
A gigantic rabbit
19. What story does George tell Lennie?
He tells him the story of the farm they were going to buy.
20. What does he do while telling him this story?
George shoots Lennie and kills him.
21. Write whether or not George was justified in what he did to Lennie.
I feel that George should not have shot Lennie, but if anyone should have shot him, I think George should be the one to do it. George and Lennie were like brothers, so this was hard for George but he did what was best for him and Lennie. Lennie was obviou