Of Mice and Men Questions and
Answers Already Passed
1. Describe Lennie's physical and mental characteristics. Of the two men, why is George "in
charge" of Lennie? ✔✔Lennie is mentally challenged. He's big and slumped down and his arms
hang loosely at his sides. Since Lennie is mentally challenged, George takes it upon himself to
take care of him. Great strength with child's mind. Mentally deficient
Explain why George and Lennie had to leave their job in Weed. ✔✔Lennie scared a girl by
petting her dress because it fascinated him. When the girl tried to get away from him, he got
scared and held onto the dress. The girl started yelling and charged him for rape.
What do the girl's dress Weed and the mouse he carries in his pocket have in common for
Lennie? ✔✔He likes to pet soft things and both the mouse and the girls dress were soft.
Why does George offer to give Lennie a pup? ✔✔Lennie always kills the mice he finds since
they're so small. George thought if he gave him a pup he wouldn't kill it.
Why do George and Lennie feel that they are different from other guys? ✔✔They believe they
have a future with a ranch of their own. They have each other
,Describe how things are going to be "some-day" for George and Lennie. ✔✔Their going to own
a ranch with rabbits and other animals and George will let Lennie look after the rabbits.
What instructions does George give Lennie right before they go to sleep? ✔✔Do not talk to
anyone at all during the interview at the ranch. Hide in the brush by the river and wait for him if
he gets into trouble.
This chapter contains various references to mice. What do mice seem to represent in this
chapter? What significance might they have with regard to the title of the book, or to the story
itself? ✔✔In this chapter, the mice seem to represent a source of comfort for Lennie and show
that Lennie doesn't care whether they're dead or not as long as they comfort him. For the title,
mice, like men, are both victim to their best laid plans going wrongly.
George remarks that he continually has to get Lennie out of trouble. What things does he say to
Lennie that lead one to believe he expects trouble? Does it seem likely or unlikely that his new
job will turn out differently for the two of them? Explain. ✔✔He tells Lennie to just stick to his
business and not to talk to anyone. It seems unlikely that his new job will turn out differently
based on the past experiences of the two.
, George shows his anger with Lennie, as well as his concern for him. Why do you think George
continues to, as Lennie states, "look after me"? Do you think that Lennie contributes anything to
their relationship? Is there any sense in which he is able to "look after" George? ✔✔George is
like a parent to Lennie because he reprimands him and takes care of him like Lennie is his son.
Lennie also acts like George's child by listening to him and doing whatever George says.
Explain what makes the boss suspicious when he meets Lennie and George. ✔✔George answers
all of the questions directed at Lennie, not allowing Lennie to answer for himself.
What does the boss suspect George of doing to Lennie? What makes him think this? ✔✔He
suspects George wants to take Lennie's pay.
What explanation does Candy give George for Curley's treatment of Lennie? ✔✔Curley is
always picking fights with the big guys in order to make himself seem tougher since he is small.
Summarize Curley's description of Curley's wife. ✔✔She's pretty, but, she's got the "eye". She
gives the "eye" to a couple of the ranch workers when Curley isn't looking. Candy also calls her
a tart.
Answers Already Passed
1. Describe Lennie's physical and mental characteristics. Of the two men, why is George "in
charge" of Lennie? ✔✔Lennie is mentally challenged. He's big and slumped down and his arms
hang loosely at his sides. Since Lennie is mentally challenged, George takes it upon himself to
take care of him. Great strength with child's mind. Mentally deficient
Explain why George and Lennie had to leave their job in Weed. ✔✔Lennie scared a girl by
petting her dress because it fascinated him. When the girl tried to get away from him, he got
scared and held onto the dress. The girl started yelling and charged him for rape.
What do the girl's dress Weed and the mouse he carries in his pocket have in common for
Lennie? ✔✔He likes to pet soft things and both the mouse and the girls dress were soft.
Why does George offer to give Lennie a pup? ✔✔Lennie always kills the mice he finds since
they're so small. George thought if he gave him a pup he wouldn't kill it.
Why do George and Lennie feel that they are different from other guys? ✔✔They believe they
have a future with a ranch of their own. They have each other
,Describe how things are going to be "some-day" for George and Lennie. ✔✔Their going to own
a ranch with rabbits and other animals and George will let Lennie look after the rabbits.
What instructions does George give Lennie right before they go to sleep? ✔✔Do not talk to
anyone at all during the interview at the ranch. Hide in the brush by the river and wait for him if
he gets into trouble.
This chapter contains various references to mice. What do mice seem to represent in this
chapter? What significance might they have with regard to the title of the book, or to the story
itself? ✔✔In this chapter, the mice seem to represent a source of comfort for Lennie and show
that Lennie doesn't care whether they're dead or not as long as they comfort him. For the title,
mice, like men, are both victim to their best laid plans going wrongly.
George remarks that he continually has to get Lennie out of trouble. What things does he say to
Lennie that lead one to believe he expects trouble? Does it seem likely or unlikely that his new
job will turn out differently for the two of them? Explain. ✔✔He tells Lennie to just stick to his
business and not to talk to anyone. It seems unlikely that his new job will turn out differently
based on the past experiences of the two.
, George shows his anger with Lennie, as well as his concern for him. Why do you think George
continues to, as Lennie states, "look after me"? Do you think that Lennie contributes anything to
their relationship? Is there any sense in which he is able to "look after" George? ✔✔George is
like a parent to Lennie because he reprimands him and takes care of him like Lennie is his son.
Lennie also acts like George's child by listening to him and doing whatever George says.
Explain what makes the boss suspicious when he meets Lennie and George. ✔✔George answers
all of the questions directed at Lennie, not allowing Lennie to answer for himself.
What does the boss suspect George of doing to Lennie? What makes him think this? ✔✔He
suspects George wants to take Lennie's pay.
What explanation does Candy give George for Curley's treatment of Lennie? ✔✔Curley is
always picking fights with the big guys in order to make himself seem tougher since he is small.
Summarize Curley's description of Curley's wife. ✔✔She's pretty, but, she's got the "eye". She
gives the "eye" to a couple of the ranch workers when Curley isn't looking. Candy also calls her
a tart.
