Of Mice and Men Overview

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Questions and Answers

Who wrote the novella, Of Mice and Men?

William Shakespeare

John Steelbacker

John Steinbeck (correct)

George Miller

Which event does the death of Candy's dog foreshadow?

Lennie's tragic death (correct)

The marriage of Curley & his wife

The death of Lulu's puppies

Crooks' tragic death in a barn accident

What is the stable buck's name?

Crooks

When George is mad at Lennie, what does Lennie threaten to do?

Mash George's nose in Signup and view all the answers

How does Lennie get himself and George into trouble in Weed?

He rapes a girl Signup and view all the answers

What does the stable buck do in his free time?

Drinks and gambles in town Signup and view all the answers

What does George tell Lennie to do when they first meet the new boss?

Not say a word Signup and view all the answers

How did the stable buck's back get hurt?

He was kicked by a horse Signup and view all the answers

Why are Candy, Crooks, Lennie, & Curley’s wife left behind when the others go into town?

They are all disabled/disadvantaged in some way Signup and view all the answers

What explanation does George give his new boss to explain why Lennie is not 'too bright'?

He was kicked in the head by a horse Signup and view all the answers

What is Lennie's aunt's name?

Aunt Clara Signup and view all the answers

Why do the other ranch hands dislike Candy's dog?

He smells bad Signup and view all the answers

Who has the idea to shoot Candy's dog?

Carlson Signup and view all the answers

What reason does Curley's wife give for visiting the bunkhouse?

She is looking for Curley Signup and view all the answers

At the end of the book, why is Lennie upset when Curley's wife finds him in the barn?

He accidentally killed his puppy Signup and view all the answers

Who discovers the body of Curley’s wife?

Slim Signup and view all the answers

What is Curley’s wife’s dream?

To be a movie star Signup and view all the answers

What is physically wrong with Candy?

He is missing a hand Signup and view all the answers

When the boss first met George and Lennie, the boss was ______?

Irritated and sus Signup and view all the answers

The bunkhouse where the ranch hands lived could be described as ______?

Dark and gross Signup and view all the answers

The old dog belonged to _____?

Candy Signup and view all the answers

Candy said that Curley picked a fight with Lennie because _____?

Curley does not like big guys...because he is a little guy Signup and view all the answers

What excites Lennie most about his dream life with George?

RABBITS, tending the rabbits Signup and view all the answers

Candy described Curley's wife as _____?

Pretty, but a tart Signup and view all the answers

What does George say to Lennie before shooting him?

He tells Lennie the story of their farm Signup and view all the answers

Curley is a welterweight fighter.

False Signup and view all the answers

Crooks was the first one to join Lennie and George's DREAM.

False Signup and view all the answers

Crooks said, 'A guy goes nuts if he ain't got nobody.'

True Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Of Mice and Men

Author: John Steinbeck
Main Characters: George Milton, Lennie Small, Candy, Crooks, Curley, Curley's wife, Slim
Themes: Loneliness, Friendship, Dreams, The American Dream, Disability, Prejudice
Setting: 1930s California, during the Great Depression
Plot: George and Lennie are migrant workers who dream of owning their own farm. Lennie is mentally disabled, but loyal and kind. George is his protector and friend. Their dream is threatened by the brutal realities of their society, including prejudice, exploitation, and violence.
Key Events:
- Lennie accidentally kills a puppy.
- Lennie accidentally kills Curley's wife in the barn.
- George shoots Lennie to save him from a brutal fate.
Important Symbol: The rabbits symbolize Lennie's innocence and the dream of a better life
Key Quotes:
- "Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world. They got no family. They don't belong no place." - George
- "I ain't got no family. I'm just a mutt." - Candy
- "A guy goes nuts if he ain't got nobody." - Crooks
- "I got you to look after me and you got me to look after you." - Lennie
Key Facts:
- Lennie is a large, strong man with a mental disability.
- George is a small, clever man who looks after Lennie.
- Candy is a ranch hand who is missing a hand.
- Crooks is the stable buck, who is African American and is discriminated against.
- Curley is the boss's son, who is aggressive and jealous.
- Curley's wife is a lonely woman who is eager for attention.
- Slim is a respected ranch hand who is wise and compassionate.
Central Conflict: The conflict surrounds the contrast between Lennie's desire for a simple life and George's desperation for a future beyond the harsh realities of their present.

The Dream

George and Lennie’s dream is a shared dream of owning their own land, making their own rules, and living a simple life with rabbits. This dream is a symbol of hope for the future and a refuge from a world that is often harsh and unforgiving.
The ranch workers are all drawn to the idea of the farm because it promises stability, security, and a sense of belonging.
Even though Lennie has a mental disability, he is valued by George, and together they see the farm as a place where they can be free from the judgment of others.

Violence

Violence occurs in the story at different levels.
Lennie's accidental killing of the puppy foreshadows the death of Curley's wife.
He is also associated with violence, particularly in how his strength is portrayed as dangerous
Lennie and George's dream is ultimately destroyed by the violence of the world and by Lennie's own nature.
Lennie ultimately kills Curley's wife.
The conflict between George and Lennie and their need to navigate the world in which violence is common, and where the power of the strong can easily be misused and misperceived.

Loneliness

Loneliness is a pervasive theme in the novella.
It impacts the characters' motivations, relationships, and ultimately, their fates.
All the characters face loneliness in different ways due to circumstances, social isolation, and prejudice.
Despite that, there is a deep-seated sense of hope and solidarity amongst some of the characters.

Prejudice

The novella explores prejudice in several forms.
Crooks, the stable buck, faces racial discrimination.
Curley's wife is a victim of the prejudice against women in the society of the time.
Lennie, as a disabled person, is also marginalized.
These instances of prejudice contribute to the overall sense of isolation and hopelessness that pervades the novella.

The American Dream

The American Dream is a recurring theme throughout the novella
George and Lennie's dream of owning a farm is a symbol of the American Dream of achieving financial security and independence.
That dream is ultimately unattainable for them because of their social and personal limitations.
This explores the potential for disillusionment and heartache as individuals try to navigate the harsh realities of a society and personal circumstances that stand in the way of their dreams.

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Description

Explore the themes, characters, and key events of John Steinbeck's 'Of Mice and Men'. This quiz delves into the dreams and struggles of George and Lennie, set against the backdrop of the Great Depression. Test your knowledge about the significant symbols and quotes from this classic novel.