Of Mice and Men: Chapter 5 Questions

Questions and Answers

What happens to Lennie's puppy and why is he worried?

Lennie's puppy is dead, and he is worried George won't let him tend the rabbits.

Describe Lennie's irrational anger when he does not understand the puppy's death.

He is very angry and throws the dead puppy, comparing it to the mice and not realizing the puppy can also be hurt.

Who joins Lennie in the barn and how does he react?

Curley's wife joins him; Lennie is upset and does not want her around.

How is the conversation between Lennie and Curley's wife similar to that between Lennie and Crooks?

Both ask many questions that Lennie can't answer, demonstrating his lack of understanding. Signup and view all the answers

How does Curley's wife show that she is not as contemptible as she seems?

She talks about her dreams of being in pictures and says she won't tell George about the dead puppy. Signup and view all the answers

When Curley's wife tries to console Lennie, what does she say about getting another puppy?

She states, 'You can get another one easy. The whole country is fulla mutts.' Signup and view all the answers

Why does Curley's wife become angry at Lennie?

Because Lennie was told not to talk to her, yet she wants to engage. Signup and view all the answers

What do we learn about Curley's wife's dreams, and how do they influence her life?

She wants to be in movie pictures and marry Curley to escape her home. Signup and view all the answers

How does Curley's wife feel about Curley?

She does not like him and thinks he is a mean fella. Signup and view all the answers

How does the reader know that Curley's wife does not understand Lennie's mental challenges?

She gets angry over his talks about rabbits and sits too close to him. Signup and view all the answers

What is Lennie's explanation for why he likes rabbits, and how does Curley's wife respond?

He likes to pet nice (soft) things, and she calls him nuts and moves away. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Lennie panic and what happens as a result?

He panics when Curley's wife yells, and he ends up shaking her, breaking her neck. Signup and view all the answers

What similarity can be found in the deaths of the puppy and Curley's wife?

Lennie does not mean to do it; both are dead because he does not realize his own strength. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the significance of the description of Curley's wife after her death.

Her face is described as pretty and simple, contrasting her mean behavior in life. Signup and view all the answers

How do Curley's wife and Lennie's dreams both die with the accidental death?

Curley's wife is dead, and Lennie will not be able to live with George or tend the rabbits. Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of personification used after Curley's wife's death, and what is its impact?

'She flopped like a fish' illustrates her lifelessness. Signup and view all the answers

Who discovers Curley's wife’s body and what is the reaction?

Candy discovers her body and is shocked, running to find George. Signup and view all the answers

What decision does George make about Curley's wife’s death, and what does Candy want to do?

George decides to tell the men and lock Lennie up; Candy wants to let Lennie go. Signup and view all the answers

What does Candy worry about more than the girl's death and Lennie's arrest?

Candy worries they won't get the farm now. Signup and view all the answers

How does Candy address the body of Curley's wife after learning their dream is gone?

He calls her a tramp and says she messed it all up. Signup and view all the answers

How does George keep the men from finding Lennie right away?

He tells the men Lennie went south, opposite of coming to the ranch. Signup and view all the answers

What do the men suppose happened to Carlson’s gun and why is this hard to believe?

They think Lennie took it, but it’s hard to believe since Lennie doesn't mess with guns. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Chapter 5 Key Events and Themes

Lennie finds his puppy dead and fears that George will prevent him from tending rabbits.
Irrational anger emerges as Lennie throws the dead puppy. He views the puppy similarly to the mice, not realizing it can be hurt.
Curley’s wife enters the barn seeking conversation, but Lennie feels upset and uncomfortable around her.
Conversations with Curley’s wife mirror those with Crooks; both characters ask questions that Lennie struggles to comprehend.
Curley’s wife reveals her dreams of becoming an actress and promises not to tell George about the puppy’s death, showcasing her vulnerability.
Her statement about easily finding another dog can be interpreted broadly, indicating that replacement exists in various aspects of life.
She becomes angry at Lennie for not engaging with her and ignoring her desire for conversation.
Curley’s wife shares her aspirations for a different life, feeling trapped in her marriage to Curley after a thwarted opportunity in Hollywood.
She holds contempt for Curley, viewing him as cruel and mean-spirited.
Lack of understanding regarding Lennie's mental challenges is evident; her frustration grows when he fixates on rabbits.
Lennie enjoys petting soft things; his affection for rabbits is met with Curley’s wife’s dismissal, asserting he’s “nuts.”
Panic strikes Lennie when Curley’s wife screams as he strokes her hair near the end, leading to her death by accidental neck-breaking.
Deaths of the puppy and Curley’s wife parallel each other; both are unintended consequences of Lennie's ignorance of his strength.
The description of Curley’s wife in death reveals a transformation; her meanness fades, and she appears beautiful and innocent, contrasting her living persona.
Both Curley’s wife’s life dreams and Lennie’s aspirations vanish with her accidental death.
Steinbeck employs personification, illustrating her lifelessness when he describes her "flopping like a fish."
Candy discovers Curley’s wife’s body, reacting with shock and rushing to inform George.
George decides to inform the other men about the death and contemplate locking Lennie up, while Candy fears Lennie might be killed by Curley.
Beyond the death, Candy expresses concern about losing their dream of owning a farm, which troubles George.
Following the discussion about the dream being lost, Candy calls Curley’s wife derogatory names, reflecting his anger and frustration over their shattered aspirations.
To protect Lennie, George misleads the men by saying he headed south, while Lennie's actual instinct is to retreat to their previous safe spot near the creek.
The men speculate that Lennie took Carlson's gun home; however, it contradicts Lennie's characterization, as he shows no interest in guns.

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Test your understanding of Chapter 5 from 'Of Mice and Men'. This quiz explores key events and emotions, particularly focusing on Lennie's feelings and actions regarding the death of his puppy. Answer questions that delve into the themes of companionship and loss.