Study Notes Creation Quiz

The practice of moving from one job to another, often in search of better conditions or higher wages. It was common for itinerant farmworkers during the Great Depression.

A skilled worker who is responsible for driving a team of mules or horses that pull a heavy load.

A worker who is tasked with doing odd jobs and maintaining the ranch, often cleaning and repairing things.

The lowest ranking worker on the ranch, assigned to care for the horses and mules.

The workers' shared living space, often a simple, communal room where they sleep, eat, and socialize.

A common leisure activity in the bunkhouse, often used as a way for the men to relax, gamble, and socialize.

A place of entertainment and companionship, often visited by the ranch workers for relaxation and escape.

The central goal of the ranch workers, often involving sharing ownership of land and eventually building a farm, a shared dream that provides hope and purpose.

The constant desire to touch soft things, which leads Lennie into trouble by accidentally killing his puppy and Curley's wife.

Candy's love for his old dog, even though it is suggested to be shot due to its old age. His grief highlights the importance of companionship and the pain of losing a beloved animal.

The lack of love and affection between Curley and his wife, due to his lack of attention and her loneliness. She seeks attention from others, causing tension on the ranch.

The loneliness faced by migrant farm workers during the Great Depression, their lack of opportunity to form friendships and loving relationships.

The importance of animal companionship for migrant workers, who find solace and comfort in their pets. Examples include Lennie petting mice and Candy's dog being his only companion.

The objectification of women and their limited social roles in society. Men are shown going to a brothel, even married ones, without much respect for their wives.

Curley's high status and his aggressive behavior towards others, especially those he perceives as a threat to his authority, due to the fact he is the boss's son.

The inability to control one's own fate or actions, often due to external factors like poverty, social structures, or lack of power.

The lack of cognitive ability, often resulting in dependence on others and vulnerability to exploitation.

The harsh realities of the Great Depression forced many to travel for work and accept low wages. Workers were often vulnerable to exploitation and lacked security.

Crooks' isolation and segregation highlight the racism and prejudice faced by Black people in 1930s America.

The novel's title comes from a poem by Robert Burns, where a mouse's plans are disrupted by a scythe. This connects to the characters' inability to control their fates.

Slim, despite being well-liked, maintains a detached persona and often observes the other characters without direct involvement.

Curley's wife, often marginalized and misunderstood, has a thirst for attention and validation.

The events leading up to Lennie's death highlight the powerlessness of individuals in the face of societal injustices and their inability to escape their predetermined fate.

Slim, a skilled jerkline skinner, is a respected figure on the ranch due to his expertise and ability to handle multiple mules. He is unlike other ranch hands as he treats everyone with kindness and understanding.

Curley, the ranch owner's son, is characterized as a controlling and cruel husband who mistreats his wife. Despite being married, their relationship lacks love, being more of a marriage of convenience.

Curley's wife is the only female character in the story and is never given a name. This emphasizes her lack of identity and importance in the harsh world of the ranch.

Curley's wife's provocative appearance and behavior make her a target for unwanted attention from the men on the ranch. She is viewed as an outsider due to her lack of real role or purpose on the ranch.

Despite her lack of power, Curley's wife uses her status as a woman to threaten Crooks, highlighting the power dynamics and social inequalities prevalent in the ranch.

Curley's wife dreams of a different life and has aspirations beyond the confines of the ranch, shown through her dream of becoming an actress. This further accentuates her status as an outsider.

After Lennie accidentally kills Curley's wife, she becomes symbolic of the bitterness, longing, and lack of fulfillment that pervades the lives of the ranch workers during the Depression.

The men on the ranch, like Curley's wife, are also seeking to achieve the American Dream, but their struggles and disappointments highlight the difficulties of achieving it in a time of economic hardship and societal inequality.

Curley is a small, aggressive man who is often seen as a bully. He is quick to anger and violence, and he feels threatened by larger men like Lennie.

Curley has a jealous and possessive attitude towards his wife. He suspects her of cheating and acts out in anger and violence when he believes she is with other men.

Despite the fact that she is a lonely and isolated woman, he is more concerned about his reputation and finding the person who killed his wife than he is about her death.

Curley's hand gets crushed by Lennie in a fight. To protect Lennie from severe consequences, Slim convinces Curley to say that he hurt his hand in an accident.

Curley is a character who represents the power and dominance of men in a patriarchal society. He uses his physical strength and social status to exert control over others, particularly women. He is threatened by anyone who challenges his position or authority.

Curley's wife is a lonely woman on the ranch who is often ignored and mistreated by the men. She longs for attention and companionship, but her attempts to connect with others are often misunderstood and rejected.

Curley's wife is a complex and tragic figure. Her loneliness, despair, and desire for connection ultimately lead to her demise. Although she can appear flirtatious, she's actually just searching for some human interaction.

Candy is a ranch hand who is old and injured. He is afraid of losing his job and being forced to leave the farm. He is sympathetic towards Lennie and George and dreams of having a farm of their own someday.

The title of the novel is inspired by the poem "To a Mouse" by Robert Burns. It reflects the theme of failed plans and dreams due to external factors like poverty and societal injustices. The line "The best laid schemes o' mice an' men/Gang aft a-gley" signifies this inability to achieve aspirations.

The novel highlights the harsh realities of the Great Depression. Characters struggle to achieve their goals because economic hardship severely limits their opportunities. The ranch becomes a microcosm of this struggle, representing American society during a time of widespread economic despair.

The ranch is an ideal setting for demonstrating social inequality and injustices prevalent during the period. Racism and sexism are prevalent, hindering characters' progress and demonstrating the limitations imposed by societal structures. This makes it hard for them to achieve their goals despite their efforts.

Loneliness is a pervasive theme in the novel. Characters are isolated due to different circumstances and their roles. Some are lonely because of their itinerant lifestyle, losing touch with loved ones. Others are lonely because of their circumstances, like being ostracized or being stuck in an unhappy situation.

George, despite having Lennie as a companion, feels lonely. He longs for a normal life but feels burdened by caring for Lennie, which hampers his own aspirations. This adds complexity to his character, showcasing the compromises and sacrifices he makes due to loyalty.

Candy, an aging and disabled character, faces loneliness. He's separated from the other workers due to his limitations. He loses his only companion when his dog is shot, highlighting the loneliness that arises from the loss of a bond.

Crooks, a black character on the ranch, experiences racial segregation and prejudice. This isolation leads him to cynicism and distrust, making it difficult for him to form meaningful connections. His isolation is due to the systemic racism prevalent during that time.

Curley's wife, the only female on the ranch, is ostracized and objectified. She's treated as a possession of Curley, not given a name. Her loneliness drives her to seek connection with the workers, leading to tragedy. She symbolizes the objectification and isolation of women during the period.