Of Mice and Men study guide Questions
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Chapter ✔✔One
1. Reread the first paragraph of the novel. How does the passage function? What purpose does
Steinbeck fulfill by beginning the novel in this way? ✔✔The novel begins with a rich description
of the setting. Steinbeck uses descriptive language to indicate that the area is a place of rest. The
specific colors, foliage, and animals that are mentioned create a respite, even for those boys and
men from the ranches who beat a path to the water. For example, Steinbeck uses the following
images to suggest that this place is a place of comfort and that the Salinas River is a sanctuary.
2. Compare and contrast the men who come into the clearing by the river. What do you think
Steinbeck wants the reader to infer about the men based on their descriptions? ✔✔The two men
who come into the clearing are similar in the way in which they are dressed and what they carry
with them. For example, the two men are "dressed in denim trousers and in denim coats with
brass buttons." (p. 2) They also both carry blanket rolls with them.
Physically the men are very different. One man is "small and quick, dark of face, with restless
eyes and sharp, strong features." (p. 2) The other man is huge and fair-skinned.
,3. Steinbeck uses several animal images to describe Lennie. Cite two examples of images that
are used and explain their effects on Lennie's characterization. ✔✔"Lennie dabbled his big paw
in the water and wiggled... and came back again."(pg 3) "...dragging his feet a little, the way a
bear drags his paws."(pg 3)
4. When George and Lennie reach a clearing, George gives Lennie instructions about the water.
When Lennie and George sit by the river to rest, what do they talk about? What does Steinbeck
achieve through the conversation? What can we learn about Lennie from their conversation?
What can we learn about George. ✔✔George explains to Lennie where they are going. Lennie
has forgotten about "watchin' that blackboard." (p. 5) The reader can infer from their
conversation that Lennie is simple. He may be a large man, but he cannot remember things as
basic as where he is going. George is obviously Lennie's protector; George even keeps track of
Lennie's work card. Steinbeck is continuing to establish the interdependent relationship between
Lennie and George
5. Read the following line from the novel and explain the phrase " watchin' that blackboard."
How does it contribute to the characterization of George and Lennie. "You remember settin' in
that gutter on Howard street and watching' that blackboard." ✔✔"Watchin' that blackboard"
refers to the Depression era when employers would post jobs in front of their offices. Those men
who were seeking work would check the blackboards to find any new jobs. Steinbeck is
emphasizing the characters' economic status, as well as the mindset that George and Lennie must
have after moving across the country looking for work.
,6. What information about Lennie's character is revealed to the reader through George's
discovery of the dead mouse in Lennie's pocket? ✔✔The reader learns that Lennie is pacified
through simple things. He likes the touch of soft items. The reader also learns that Lennie is not
bothered by the idea that the mouse is dead, but he is worried that George will think that he
killed i
7. Describe George's plan for getting the job at the ranch. What do we learn about Lennie from
this plan? ✔✔George tells Lennie that he does not want Lennie to speak. George is going to give
the boss their work tickets, while Lennie stands in the background. George wants Lennie to be
quiet because he is afraid that the boss will not hire them if he knows that Lennie is "a crazy
bastard." The reader can infer that Lennie is a hard worker (perhaps because of his size), but he
is likely to say the wrong thing.
8. Why does Steinbeck mention that George and Lennie had problems in Weed but then not
develop the story?
As George and Lennie are waiting to go to the camp, George states, "God, you're a lot of trouble.
I could get along so easy and so nice if I didn't have you on my tail. I could live so easy and
maybe have a girl."
a)Explain what this statement illustrates about George's feelings toward Lennie. b)How is
George's statement ironic given the time period in which the novel is set? c)What does the reader
, learn about George and his dreams? ✔✔Steinbeck is creating dramatic interest and
foreshadowing by mentioning Weed without divulging the details of what happened there. The
reader can assume that the specific information will be revealed later.
A) George is frustrated with Lennie because he requires so much care. It is understandable that
Lennie's handicap sometimes interferes with their friendship. B) George's attitude is ironic,
considering how most men in their situation are lonely and long for a companion, a friend. C)
We learn that George is the same as most people; he dreams about settling down and getting
married, something that most transients are unable to do.
9. Even though Lennie's mentality keeps him from fully understanding the world around him, he
is very sensitive to George's feelings. Describe an incident that shows Lennie's compassion for
George. ✔✔Example: While warming beans over the fire, Lennie says how he would like to
have ketchup with his supper. This statement provokes George and he erupts with anger, wishing
he could be alone, without having to watch over Lennie. Following the episode, Lennie makes
his way closer to George and says, "I was only foolin', George. I don't want no ketchup. I
wouldn't eat no ketchup if it was right here beside me. ...I wouldn't eat none, George. I'd leave it
all for you. You could cover your beans with it and I wouldn't touch none of it." (p. 12)
10. After George erupts in anger about the responsibility of taking care of Lennie, Lennie offers
to run away and leave George alone. Why do you think George does not take Lennie up on his
offer? ✔✔George seems to regret the way he talks to Lennie. He even asks Lennie if he has been
mean to him. Because George has taken care of Lennie for so long, George feels a great
and Answers Rated A+
Chapter ✔✔One
1. Reread the first paragraph of the novel. How does the passage function? What purpose does
Steinbeck fulfill by beginning the novel in this way? ✔✔The novel begins with a rich description
of the setting. Steinbeck uses descriptive language to indicate that the area is a place of rest. The
specific colors, foliage, and animals that are mentioned create a respite, even for those boys and
men from the ranches who beat a path to the water. For example, Steinbeck uses the following
images to suggest that this place is a place of comfort and that the Salinas River is a sanctuary.
2. Compare and contrast the men who come into the clearing by the river. What do you think
Steinbeck wants the reader to infer about the men based on their descriptions? ✔✔The two men
who come into the clearing are similar in the way in which they are dressed and what they carry
with them. For example, the two men are "dressed in denim trousers and in denim coats with
brass buttons." (p. 2) They also both carry blanket rolls with them.
Physically the men are very different. One man is "small and quick, dark of face, with restless
eyes and sharp, strong features." (p. 2) The other man is huge and fair-skinned.
,3. Steinbeck uses several animal images to describe Lennie. Cite two examples of images that
are used and explain their effects on Lennie's characterization. ✔✔"Lennie dabbled his big paw
in the water and wiggled... and came back again."(pg 3) "...dragging his feet a little, the way a
bear drags his paws."(pg 3)
4. When George and Lennie reach a clearing, George gives Lennie instructions about the water.
When Lennie and George sit by the river to rest, what do they talk about? What does Steinbeck
achieve through the conversation? What can we learn about Lennie from their conversation?
What can we learn about George. ✔✔George explains to Lennie where they are going. Lennie
has forgotten about "watchin' that blackboard." (p. 5) The reader can infer from their
conversation that Lennie is simple. He may be a large man, but he cannot remember things as
basic as where he is going. George is obviously Lennie's protector; George even keeps track of
Lennie's work card. Steinbeck is continuing to establish the interdependent relationship between
Lennie and George
5. Read the following line from the novel and explain the phrase " watchin' that blackboard."
How does it contribute to the characterization of George and Lennie. "You remember settin' in
that gutter on Howard street and watching' that blackboard." ✔✔"Watchin' that blackboard"
refers to the Depression era when employers would post jobs in front of their offices. Those men
who were seeking work would check the blackboards to find any new jobs. Steinbeck is
emphasizing the characters' economic status, as well as the mindset that George and Lennie must
have after moving across the country looking for work.
,6. What information about Lennie's character is revealed to the reader through George's
discovery of the dead mouse in Lennie's pocket? ✔✔The reader learns that Lennie is pacified
through simple things. He likes the touch of soft items. The reader also learns that Lennie is not
bothered by the idea that the mouse is dead, but he is worried that George will think that he
killed i
7. Describe George's plan for getting the job at the ranch. What do we learn about Lennie from
this plan? ✔✔George tells Lennie that he does not want Lennie to speak. George is going to give
the boss their work tickets, while Lennie stands in the background. George wants Lennie to be
quiet because he is afraid that the boss will not hire them if he knows that Lennie is "a crazy
bastard." The reader can infer that Lennie is a hard worker (perhaps because of his size), but he
is likely to say the wrong thing.
8. Why does Steinbeck mention that George and Lennie had problems in Weed but then not
develop the story?
As George and Lennie are waiting to go to the camp, George states, "God, you're a lot of trouble.
I could get along so easy and so nice if I didn't have you on my tail. I could live so easy and
maybe have a girl."
a)Explain what this statement illustrates about George's feelings toward Lennie. b)How is
George's statement ironic given the time period in which the novel is set? c)What does the reader
, learn about George and his dreams? ✔✔Steinbeck is creating dramatic interest and
foreshadowing by mentioning Weed without divulging the details of what happened there. The
reader can assume that the specific information will be revealed later.
A) George is frustrated with Lennie because he requires so much care. It is understandable that
Lennie's handicap sometimes interferes with their friendship. B) George's attitude is ironic,
considering how most men in their situation are lonely and long for a companion, a friend. C)
We learn that George is the same as most people; he dreams about settling down and getting
married, something that most transients are unable to do.
9. Even though Lennie's mentality keeps him from fully understanding the world around him, he
is very sensitive to George's feelings. Describe an incident that shows Lennie's compassion for
George. ✔✔Example: While warming beans over the fire, Lennie says how he would like to
have ketchup with his supper. This statement provokes George and he erupts with anger, wishing
he could be alone, without having to watch over Lennie. Following the episode, Lennie makes
his way closer to George and says, "I was only foolin', George. I don't want no ketchup. I
wouldn't eat no ketchup if it was right here beside me. ...I wouldn't eat none, George. I'd leave it
all for you. You could cover your beans with it and I wouldn't touch none of it." (p. 12)
10. After George erupts in anger about the responsibility of taking care of Lennie, Lennie offers
to run away and leave George alone. Why do you think George does not take Lennie up on his
offer? ✔✔George seems to regret the way he talks to Lennie. He even asks Lennie if he has been
mean to him. Because George has taken care of Lennie for so long, George feels a great
