VOCABULARY
Which word means to think deeply and carefully about something?
CONTEMPLATE
Why does George do most of the talking when he and Lennie first arrive at the ranch?
George knows that Lennie's intellectual impairment could hurt their chances of getting hired, even though Lennie is extremely strong and capable of physical labor.
What does George and Lennie's dream of owning their own farm give them that their current lives do not?
It gives them hope, safety, independence, companionship, and a sense of having a future.
Why does Curley frequently try to prove that he is powerful?
Curley is insecure about his small size and tries to establish dominance over people who seem weaker or less threatening.
What larger idea does George and Lennie's friendship represent?
Their friendship represents the importance of companionship and human connection in a world where many people experience loneliness.
If a character feels deeply disappointed and discouraged after something goes wrong, which vocabulary word best describes that person?
DEJECTED
George tells Lennie to return to the riverbank if he gets into serious trouble. What literary technique does this plan create?
It creates foreshadowing because the reader later sees that the riverbank becomes important at the end of the story.
Why is the dream of the farm especially important to Lennie?
Lennie imagines the farm as a safe place where he can tend the rabbits and live without constantly getting into trouble.
What does Candy's reaction to the death of his old dog reveal about Candy?
It shows that Candy is emotionally attached to the dog and fears being discarded when he is no longer considered useful.
Why is Candy's dog important to the novel beyond simply being an animal on the ranch?
The dog's death represents the idea that society may value people and animals based on their usefulness rather than their emotional importance or loyalty.
A person laughs dismissively at an idea instead of taking it seriously. Which vocabulary word best describes this action?
SCOFF
What makes George and Lennie's relationship different from the relationships among most of the other ranch workers?
George and Lennie travel together, protect one another, and share a dream for the future. Most of the other ranch workers live isolated lives.
Why is the dream of the farm especially important to Lennie?
Lennie imagines the farm as a safe place where he can tend the rabbits and live without constantly getting into trouble.
Why does Candy become so interested in joining George and Lennie's farm plan?
Candy sees the farm as an opportunity to escape a future in which his age and physical disability could cause society to view him as useless.
How does Lennie's dead puppy help prepare readers for a later event in the story?
The puppy's death foreshadows the tragedy involving Curley's wife. It shows that Lennie's inability to control his strength can have deadly consequences.
A warning, event, or situation that makes readers expect something dangerous or negative to happen can be described as what?
OMINOUS
Why is Lennie's physical strength both an advantage and a problem?
His strength allows him to be an excellent worker, but he does not understand how powerful he is. As a result, he accidentally hurts or kills things when he becomes frightened or excited.
Why is George and Lennie's dream important to the novel's discussion of the American Dream?
The farm represents the hope that people can work toward a better, independent life. However, the novel shows that poverty and harsh social conditions can prevent vulnerable people from achieving that dream
What does Crooks's interaction with Lennie reveal about the theme of isolation?
Crooks has been isolated from the other workers because of racism. Even though he protects his personal space, he still deeply desires companionship.
What theme is developed through the loneliness experienced by Crooks, Candy, Curley's wife, and other ranch workers?
The novel develops the theme that isolation can make people vulnerable and desperate for human connection.
If someone's anger, fear, or excitement becomes less intense and begins to calm down, which vocabulary word describes what is happening?
SUBSIDE
George has the opportunity to allow someone else to deal with Lennie at the end of the novel. Why does George decide to handle the situation himself?
George kills Lennie out of mercy. He wants to prevent Lennie from being captured and brutally killed by Curley's group.
How does the ending of the novel challenge the belief that hard work will always lead to success?
George and Lennie work toward independence and a better future, but their dream is destroyed. Their poverty, Lennie's actions, violence, and the conditions surrounding them prevent them from achieving it.
Why does Curley's wife frequently seek out conversations with the ranch workers?
She is lonely and dissatisfied with her marriage and looks for companionship and attention from the other workers.
The novel begins and ends at the same general location. What does this circular structure suggest about George and Lennie's dream?
It suggests that George and Lennie are unable to escape their circumstances. Their dream ultimately fails, and they return to the place where their journey began.