Podcast
Questions and Answers
What day and time is it at the beginning of chapter 5?
What day and time is it at the beginning of chapter 5?
A Sunny Afternoon
What is Lennie doing in the barn by himself?
What is Lennie doing in the barn by himself?
Lennie is petting a dead puppy.
Why does Lennie think that he might not get to tend the rabbits?
Why does Lennie think that he might not get to tend the rabbits?
Because Lennie killed a puppy himself.
Who visits Lennie in the barn?
Who visits Lennie in the barn?
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According to Curley's wife, why isn't anyone going to come into the barn?
According to Curley's wife, why isn't anyone going to come into the barn?
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According to Curley's wife, how come she didn't get into show business?
According to Curley's wife, how come she didn't get into show business?
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What can we infer is the reason Curley's wife married Curley?
What can we infer is the reason Curley's wife married Curley?
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What plan does Lennie have to avoid getting in trouble?
What plan does Lennie have to avoid getting in trouble?
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For what does Curley's wife yell at Lennie?
For what does Curley's wife yell at Lennie?
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What did Lennie do to Curley's wife?
What did Lennie do to Curley's wife?
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Who finds Curley's wife?
Who finds Curley's wife?
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What does Candy hopefully ask George?
What does Candy hopefully ask George?
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What favor does George ask of Candy?
What favor does George ask of Candy?
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What does Carlson think happened to his Luger?
What does Carlson think happened to his Luger?
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Where is Lennie hiding?
Where is Lennie hiding?
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With whom does Lennie have his first imaginary conversation?
With whom does Lennie have his first imaginary conversation?
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With whom/what does Lennie have his second imaginary conversation?
With whom/what does Lennie have his second imaginary conversation?
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What story does George tell Lennie?
What story does George tell Lennie?
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What does he do while telling him this story?
What does he do while telling him this story?
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Study Notes
Chapter 5 Highlights
- Chapter opens on a sunny afternoon setting, establishing a tranquil mood that contrasts with later events.
- Lennie finds himself alone in the barn, petting a dead puppy, which symbolizes his inability to control his strength and resultant destructive behavior.
- Concerned about losing his chance to tend to the rabbits, Lennie reflects on having killed the puppy, showing his anxiety and fear of disappointing George.
- Curley’s wife visits Lennie in the barn, breaking the isolation and offering insight into her loneliness and unfulfilled dreams.
Curley's Wife
- Curley’s wife reveals that the men are distracted by a horseshoe tournament, indicating her awareness of her social isolation.
- She shares her backstory, explaining that her mother hid her letters from a Hollywood agent, which suggests regret and missed opportunities in her life.
- Implicitly, her marriage to Curley stems from rebellion against her mother's control, highlighting the theme of entrapment in relationships.
Key Events
- Lennie concocts plans to avoid trouble, indicating his desire to shield himself from consequences, reflecting a lack of understanding of the severity of his actions.
- The interaction escalates when Curley's wife confronts Lennie about his roughness, leading to tragedy.
- Lennie accidentally breaks her neck during the confrontation, marking a pivotal moment that seals his fate and exemplifies the themes of violence and innocence.
Consequences and Responses
- Candy discovers Curley’s wife dead, which sets off a chain of worry and the potential fallout for Lennie and George.
- Candy expresses hope to George that they can still achieve their dream of owning a farm together, emphasizing the fragility of their aspirations.
- George, fearing the repercussions from the other men, instructs Candy on how to present the situation, showcasing his protective nature toward Lennie.
Lennie's Fate
- Lennie goes into hiding at the original location where the story commenced, creating a narrative circle that symbolizes his return to an innocent state.
- He experiences imaginary conversations with Aunt Clara and a gigantic rabbit, representing his inner turmoil and guilt.
- George recounts their dream of owning a farm to Lennie as a final comfort, reflecting on dreams and reality.
- In a heart-wrenching conclusion, George takes Lennie's life to spare him from the cruelty of the other men and the harsh realities of the world.
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Description
Test your knowledge of Chapters 5 and 6 from 'Of Mice and Men.' This quiz covers key events and character interactions, including feelings of regret and dreams. Perfect for reinforcing your understanding of the novel's themes and character developments.
