Of Mice and Men Chapters 1 & 2 Quiz

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Questions and Answers

Where did the bus drop the two men off?

2 miles from the ranch near Salinas River.

How is George described?

Short, small, slim, working man.

How is Lennie described?

Big, broad shoulders, walks like a bear, no arm movement when he walks.

What does Lennie take out of his pocket that gets him yelled at by George?

A dead mouse. Signup and view all the answers

What did Lennie want to do with the dead mouse?

He wanted to pet it. Signup and view all the answers

Where are George and Lennie going?

To a ranch for work. Signup and view all the answers

From where are George and Lennie coming?

Weed, CA. Signup and view all the answers

When they get to where they are going, what does George tell Lennie to do?

To not say a word. Signup and view all the answers

Why did George and Lennie leave the last place they were at?

Lennie got in trouble by trying to touch a woman's dress. Signup and view all the answers

Who used to give Lennie mice?

His Aunt Clara. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Aunt Clara stop giving Lennie mice?

He kept petting them too hard and killing them. Signup and view all the answers

What does Lennie want with his dinner that they don't have?

Ketchup. Signup and view all the answers

What dream do George and Lennie share?

To own a piece of land/ranch where they can have a house, farm the land, have a vegetable and flower garden, animals, and rabbits for Lennie to take care of. Signup and view all the answers

Where does George tell Lennie to go if he gets in trouble?

To the brush by the river. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the relationship between George and Lennie based on Chapters 1 and 2.

George is like a big brother to Lennie and watches over him. He is sometimes harsh, but for Lennie's own good. He protects him and cares for him. Signup and view all the answers

According to the old man, why was the boss mad at George and Lennie?

They came late and couldn't work that day. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the 'stable buck'. What physical attributes does he have? What does the boss use him for?

An African American worker, who is intelligent, likes to read, and lives isolated from the rest of the group. He works in the stable. Signup and view all the answers

What is Lennie's last name?

Small. Signup and view all the answers

What does the boss suspect George of doing to Lennie? What makes him think this?

That George is taking Lennie's pay away from him; he thinks this because George isn't letting Lennie answer. Signup and view all the answers

What reason does George give for taking care of Lennie?

He is his cousin. Signup and view all the answers

What is George's last name?

Milton. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Curley?

The boss's son. He is small, wears high-heeled boots to appear taller and important, used to be a lightweight boxer, and does not like big, tall men. Signup and view all the answers

Describe Curley's wife.

She had full, roughed lips and wide-spread eyes and wears a lot of makeup. She likes to flirt with the men on the ranch and is considered a tramp (tart). Signup and view all the answers

Why does Curley's wife come into the bunkhouse?

She is 'looking for Curley', which means she's checking out the new men. Signup and view all the answers

Describe Slim. What is his job on the ranch? What are some of his character traits?

He is tall and regal. He is very well-respected by the other workers and is considered the 'prince of the ranch'. He is different, finer, smart, and likes George and Lennie. Signup and view all the answers

What did Slim do to four of his pups? Why?

He drowned them because there were nine pups and the mom couldn't feed all of them. Signup and view all the answers

What does Lennie want George to ask Slim?

If he can have one of the pups. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the atmosphere of the ranch and bunkhouse. Include characteristics of different characters that were introduced.

The ranch and bunkhouse were very friendly and accepting of the two men. Signup and view all the answers

What does Slim say he would have done to the dog if he hadn't given it to Lennie?

He would have killed it. Signup and view all the answers

What is the setting of the novel?

Soledad, Central California, 1930s (USA) Great Depression era. Signup and view all the answers

From what point of view is the story told?

3rd person omniscient; point of view because it can see all the thoughts and emotions. Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of something ironic from Chapter 2?

Lennie's last name is Small and he is described as a big guy. Signup and view all the answers

What is the theme of the novel so far?

Help others to help yourself. Signup and view all the answers

What are the different types of external conflicts?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is an internal conflict?

Character vs. itself (Lennie vs. Lennie). Signup and view all the answers

Who is/are the protagonist(s)?

George and Lennie. Signup and view all the answers

Who is the antagonist?

Curley. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Setting and Context

Story set in Soledad, Central California during the 1930s, amidst the Great Depression.
George and Lennie arrive at the ranch two miles from the Salinas River after being dropped off by the bus.
Traveling from Weed, California, they seek work on a ranch.

Characters

George Milton: Described as short, slim, and a hardworking man; acts as a caretaker for Lennie.
Lennie Small: Large, strong man with broad shoulders, moves awkwardly like a bear; has a childlike demeanor.
Curley: The boss's son; small in stature, wears high-heeled boots to appear taller; a former lightweight boxer who dislikes large men.
Curley's Wife: Flirtatious, wears heavy makeup, seeks attention from the ranch workers; described as a tramp.
Slim: Tall, regal, highly respected ranch worker known as the "prince of the ranch"; intelligent and kind to George and Lennie.
Stable Buck: An African American worker, intelligent and reclusive, lives separately from the others.

Relationships and Dynamics

George watches over and protects Lennie, resembling a big brother; he can be harsh but means well.
Lennie looks up to George and relies on him for guidance.
George instructs Lennie to remain silent upon arrival at the ranch to avoid revealing their past troubles.
Tension arises from the boss suspecting George of exploiting Lennie's earnings due to their close relationship.

Key Plot Points

George tells Lennie not to talk on the ranch; they left Weed because Lennie touched a woman's dress, causing trouble.
Lennie's longing for companionship is apparent through his desire to pet soft things, such as a dead mouse given to him by Aunt Clara.
The dream of owning a piece of land together symbolizes hope for a better future, with aspirations of farming and keeping animals.
An example of irony: Lennie's last name, "Small," contrasts with his large size.

Themes and Conflicts

Theme centers around the importance of friendship and supporting others to enhance one's own life.
External conflicts include character vs. society (George and Lennie's struggle against societal expectations and prejudices) and character vs. another character (Curley's antagonism towards George and Lennie).
Internal conflict exemplified through Lennie's struggle with his childlike impulses and understanding his own strength.

Additional Details

George's protective behavior is revealed when he claims he is Lennie’s cousin to explain their relationship to the boss.
The ranch atmosphere is depicted as friendly, although inherent tensions exist, especially surrounding Curley and his wife.
Slim demonstrates practicality and compassion, showing he would have euthanized the mother dog rather than let her suffer with too many pups.

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Description

Test your knowledge of the key details from Chapters 1 and 2 of 'Of Mice and Men'. This quiz includes questions about the characters, their descriptions, and significant plot points. Perfect for students studying Steinbeck's classic novel.