Podcast
Questions and Answers
Where does Lennie hide?
Where does Lennie hide?
In the brush where George told him to go if he gets in trouble.
Describe Lennie's hallucination.
Describe Lennie's hallucination.
He sees Aunt Clara and a rabbit.
How do the characters in Lennie's dream treat him?
How do the characters in Lennie's dream treat him?
They make him feel guilty and treat him harshly.
What does George do to Lennie and how does he do it?
What does George do to Lennie and how does he do it?
Who or what in the novel was killed in the same way as Lennie?
Who or what in the novel was killed in the same way as Lennie?
Why did George lie to the others about what really happened?
Why did George lie to the others about what really happened?
Why does Slim say 'you had George, you hadda'?
Why does Slim say 'you had George, you hadda'?
What else does Slim say to Lennie?
What else does Slim say to Lennie?
What does Carlson say to the others?
What does Carlson say to the others?
How and why does George kill Lennie?
How and why does George kill Lennie?
Who is the only one who really understands what George did?
Who is the only one who really understands what George did?
Would George ever get a piece of land?
Would George ever get a piece of land?
Who says this phrase and why does he say it: 'If George don't want me.....I'll go away.I'll go away'?
Who says this phrase and why does he say it: 'If George don't want me.....I'll go away.I'll go away'?
What does Aunt Clara say to Lennie?
What does Aunt Clara say to Lennie?
What does the rabbit say to Lennie?
What does the rabbit say to Lennie?
What does this event foreshadow: Carlson kills Candy's dog?
What does this event foreshadow: Carlson kills Candy's dog?
What does this event foreshadow: Lennie is run out of Weed?
What does this event foreshadow: Lennie is run out of Weed?
What does this event foreshadow: Lennie breaks the mouse's neck?
What does this event foreshadow: Lennie breaks the mouse's neck?
What does this event foreshadow: George tells Lennie to hide in the brush if he gets in trouble?
What does this event foreshadow: George tells Lennie to hide in the brush if he gets in trouble?
What does this event foreshadow: Curley harasses Lennie for not talking?
What does this event foreshadow: Curley harasses Lennie for not talking?
What does this event foreshadow: Curley's wife is a rat-trap?
What does this event foreshadow: Curley's wife is a rat-trap?
What does this event foreshadow: George tells Candy that Curley is asking for trouble from Lennie?
What does this event foreshadow: George tells Candy that Curley is asking for trouble from Lennie?
What does this event foreshadow: Lennie kills the pup?
What does this event foreshadow: Lennie kills the pup?
What does this event foreshadow: Crooks tells Lennie: No body gets to heaven and no body gets no land?
What does this event foreshadow: Crooks tells Lennie: No body gets to heaven and no body gets no land?
What does this event foreshadow: The characters in Lennie's hallucination tell Lennie that George will leave him?
What does this event foreshadow: The characters in Lennie's hallucination tell Lennie that George will leave him?
What does this event foreshadow: 'I ought to shot that dog myself George. I shouldn't ought to have let no stranger shoot my dog'?
What does this event foreshadow: 'I ought to shot that dog myself George. I shouldn't ought to have let no stranger shoot my dog'?
What are 4 examples from the novel that show George and Lennie's friendship?
What are 4 examples from the novel that show George and Lennie's friendship?
Match the cause and effect from the novel:
Match the cause and effect from the novel:
What is the significance of Lennie stroking the dead mouse and the hair of Curley's wife?
What is the significance of Lennie stroking the dead mouse and the hair of Curley's wife?
What is the significance of George telling Lennie not to talk to Curley's wife and he talks to her anyway?
What is the significance of George telling Lennie not to talk to Curley's wife and he talks to her anyway?
What is the significance of Lennie frightening the girl in the red dress and Curley's wife?
What is the significance of Lennie frightening the girl in the red dress and Curley's wife?
What is the significance of Lennie returning to camp after doing something bad?
What is the significance of Lennie returning to camp after doing something bad?
What is the significance of George wishing he wasn't burdened with Lennie's care and realizing he will be free?
What is the significance of George wishing he wasn't burdened with Lennie's care and realizing he will be free?
What is the significance of Carlson shooting Candy's dog with the same Luger that George kills Lennie with?
What is the significance of Carlson shooting Candy's dog with the same Luger that George kills Lennie with?
What is the significance of Candy regretting that he didn't shoot his dog himself so George kills Lennie himself?
What is the significance of Candy regretting that he didn't shoot his dog himself so George kills Lennie himself?
When is the farm first mentioned and what is the mood?
When is the farm first mentioned and what is the mood?
What does the farm mean to George and Lennie?
What does the farm mean to George and Lennie?
Why does the dream appeal to Candy? Why is George first threatened? How does Candy's interest change the dream?
Why does the dream appeal to Candy? Why is George first threatened? How does Candy's interest change the dream?
How do Crooks and Curley's wife react to the dream?
How do Crooks and Curley's wife react to the dream?
How and why does the dream die? To what extent was Lennie's participation in the dream important to George?
How and why does the dream die? To what extent was Lennie's participation in the dream important to George?
Why does George repeat the dream to Lennie before killing him? What has the dream come to mean at this point?
Why does George repeat the dream to Lennie before killing him? What has the dream come to mean at this point?
What does George and Lennie's farm show?
What does George and Lennie's farm show?
What does Crooks' bare lightbulb show?
What does Crooks' bare lightbulb show?
What do the red slippers with ostrich feathers show?
What do the red slippers with ostrich feathers show?
What does Candy's dog show?
What does Candy's dog show?
What do the boss's spurs show?
What do the boss's spurs show?
What do the western magazines show?
What do the western magazines show?
What does Candy's missing hand show?
What does Candy's missing hand show?
What does Curley's wife's hairstyle show?
What does Curley's wife's hairstyle show?
What do the horseshoe matches show?
What do the horseshoe matches show?
What does Candy's broom show?
What does Candy's broom show?
What does Curley's wiry hair show?
What does Curley's wiry hair show?
What does the color red show?
What does the color red show?
What does the sunlight show?
What does the sunlight show?
Study Notes
Lennie's Actions and Hallucinations
- Lennie hides in the brush as instructed by George when in trouble.
- Lennie hallucinates seeing Aunt Clara and a rabbit, who accuse him harshly, emphasizing his guilt.
- His hallucinations illustrate his subconscious fears and the feeling of being a burden to George.
George's Role and Decisions
- George kills Lennie using Carlson's Luger to spare him from a worse fate at the hands of the other men.
- He lies about the incident to protect the memory of Lennie's death and underscore his loyalty and compassion.
- Slim is the only character who fully understands George's motivations behind Lennie’s death.
Thematic Foreshadowing
- Various events foreshadow Lennie’s tragic fate, including:
- Candy's dog is killed in a similar manner, underscoring societal views on weakness.
- Lennie’s past incidents, like breaking a mouse’s neck, hint at his inability to control his strength or impulses leading to dire consequences.
- Curley’s harassment sets the stage for future violence between him and Lennie.
Friendship and Responsibility
- Examples showcasing George and Lennie's bond include:
- George shielding Lennie from trouble and acting as his spokesperson.
- George's reassurance that their companionship distinguishes them from other ranch workers.
- George exemplifying responsibility for Lennie’s well-being.
Symbolism and Motifs
- The farm symbolizes hopes and dreams for George and Lennie, reflecting their desire for independence and belonging.
- Candy’s dog represents the inevitable decline of the weak and the harsh realities of survival.
- Crooks' room, illuminated by a bare lightbulb, symbolizes his isolation and the bitterness of loneliness.
Changes in the Dream
- Candy's desire for a secure future alters the dream's viability, making George initially feel threatened by potential dependence on others.
- The dream ultimately dies with Lennie's demise, revealing how deeply intertwined his existence was with George’s aspirations.
Consequences and Reflections
- George’s wish for freedom contrasts with his realization of the importance of his bond with Lennie.
- The significance of George killing Lennie lies in his acceptance of responsibility, mirroring Candy’s regret over his dog’s death.
- The emotional weight of George recounting their dream to Lennie before his death signifies a farewell to their aspirations.
Character Insights and Observations
- Curley’s actions reflect aggression and insecurity, especially in his treatment of Lennie, leading to violent confrontations.
- Curley’s wife represents the theme of unfulfilled dreams and attraction, illustrating the harsh realities faced by women in their era.
- Throughout the narrative, objects like Candy’s broom and Curley’s spurs serve as symbols of power, weakness, and the struggle for approval.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Test your knowledge of Chapter 6 from 'Of Mice and Men' with these flashcards. Explore key themes, characters, and events as you revisit this emotional conclusion of the story. Perfect for studying and reinforcing your understanding of the text.
