Of Mice and Men: Chapter 5 & 6 Review

Questions and Answers

What day and time is it at the beginning of chapter 5?

A Sunny Afternoon

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?

Because Lennie killed a puppy himself.

Who visits Lennie in the barn?

Curley's Wife Signup and view all the answers

According to Curley's wife, why isn't anyone going to come into the barn?

The other men are occupied with the horseshoe tournament outside. Signup and view all the answers

According to Curley's wife, how come she didn't get into show business?

Curley's wife's mother hid the letters from the man from Hollywood. Signup and view all the answers

What can we infer is the reason Curley's wife married Curley?

She was angry at her mother. Signup and view all the answers

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. Signup and view all the answers

For what does Curley's wife yell at Lennie?

Pulling her hair and being too rough. Signup and view all the answers

What did Lennie do to Curley's wife?

Lennie broke her neck and killed her. Signup and view all the answers

Who finds Curley's wife?

Candy Signup and view all the answers

What does Candy hopefully ask George?

Candy asks George if the two of them can still buy the farm. Signup and view all the answers

What favor does George ask of Candy?

George instructs Candy how to inform the other men about the death. Signup and view all the answers

What does Carlson think happened to his Luger?

Lennie stole it. Signup and view all the answers

Where is Lennie hiding?

Lennie is hiding at the same place where the story began. Signup and view all the answers

With whom does Lennie have his first imaginary conversation?

His Aunt Clara appears. Signup and view all the answers

With whom/what does Lennie have his second imaginary conversation?

A Gigantic rabbit. Signup and view all the answers

What story does George tell Lennie?

He tells him the story of the farm they were going to buy. Signup and view all the answers

What does he do while telling him this story?

George shoots Lennie and kills him. Signup and view all the answers

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.