Of Mice and Men Flashcards

Setting and Characters

• George and Lennie arrive a few miles south of Soledad, near the Salinas River, to work on a ranch.
• George is described as smart and quick, with restless eyes and a strong, dark presence; he is smaller in stature than Lennie.
• Lennie is depicted as large with pale eyes, resembling a bear in his heavy walk, and has a child-like demeanor.

Relationship Dynamics

• George acts as a guardian for Lennie, often being harsh but ultimately for Lennie's benefit.
• George instructs Lennie to stay quiet when meeting the boss to avoid issues due to Lennie's mental challenges.

Key Events

• Lennie's obsession with soft things leads to trouble; he carries a dead mouse for comfort.
• They fled Weed after Lennie's innocent yet harmful action was mistaken for assault when he touched a girl's dress.
• George and Lennie's dream is to own their own ranch, a motivational aspect of their journey.

Conflict and Tension

• Curley, the boss's son, is aggressive and feels threatened, leading to conflict with Lennie.
• Candy, an aging ranch hand, feels a deep attachment to his old dog, which is ultimately put down by Carlson, showcasing themes of mercy and neglect.

Themes of Loneliness and Companionship

• Crooks lives in isolation due to racial discrimination, emphasizing the theme of loneliness; he contemplates the importance of companionship and the effects of isolation.
• Candy expresses fear of being discarded when he can no longer work, illustrating the anxiety of aging ranch hands.

Tragic Climax

• Curley's wife, seeking attention, reveals her loneliness and bitterness about her life, leading to a fateful encounter with Lennie.
• Lennie's accident resulting in Curley's wife's death is a pivotal moment, culminating from a misunderstanding and highlighting his inability to control his strength.

Resolutions and Consequences

• Following the incident with Curley's wife, tensions rise among the ranch workers who believe Lennie is armed.
• George ultimately takes responsibility for Lennie's fate out of love, leading to a heartbreaking conclusion that reflects the novel's themes of friendship, dreams, and the harsh realities of their lives.

Symbolism and Motifs

• The relationship between Candy's dog and Lennie symbolizes the vulnerability and dependency of both characters; they are both seen as expendable due to their inability to fend for themselves.
• The dream of owning a ranch represents hope and the American Dream, which contrasts sharply with the characters' realities.

Emotional Impact

• Lennie's repeated question about George's anger underscores his dependency on George's approval and companionship, enhancing the emotional weight of the story's conclusion.
• George's internal struggle about ending Lennie's life highlights the complex moral dilemmas faced by characters navigating friendship and survival.

Test your knowledge of John Steinbeck's 'Of Mice and Men' with these flashcards covering all chapters. Each card highlights key details about characters, settings, and plot points to help you prepare for discussions or exams.