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?
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What did Lennie want to do with the dead mouse?
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Where are George and Lennie going?
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From where are George and Lennie coming?
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When they get to where they are going, what does George tell Lennie to do?
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Why did George and Lennie leave the last place they were at?
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Who used to give Lennie mice?
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Why did Aunt Clara stop giving Lennie mice?
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What does Lennie want with his dinner that they don't have?
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What dream do George and Lennie share?
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Where does George tell Lennie to go if he gets in trouble?
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Explain the relationship between George and Lennie based on Chapters 1 and 2.
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According to the old man, why was the boss mad at George and Lennie?
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Describe the 'stable buck'. What physical attributes does he have? What does the boss use him for?
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What is Lennie's last name?
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What does the boss suspect George of doing to Lennie? What makes him think this?
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What reason does George give for taking care of Lennie?
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What is George's last name?
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Who is Curley?
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Describe Curley's wife.
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Why does Curley's wife come into the bunkhouse?
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Describe Slim. What is his job on the ranch? What are some of his character traits?
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What did Slim do to four of his pups? Why?
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What does Lennie want George to ask Slim?
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Describe the atmosphere of the ranch and bunkhouse. Include characteristics of different characters that were introduced.
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What does Slim say he would have done to the dog if he hadn't given it to Lennie?
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What is the setting of the novel?
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From what point of view is the story told?
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What is an example of something ironic from Chapter 2?
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What is the theme of the novel so far?
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What are the different types of external conflicts?
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What is an internal conflict?
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Who is/are the protagonist(s)?
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Who is the antagonist?
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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.