Characters
What was Lennie's main obsession?
Petting soft things, like mice, dogs, or hair.
"'I could pet it with my thumb while we walked along, 'said Lennie". (Steinbeck 43)
How is the word mortality used with the Character Crooks?
Crooks was segregated for everyone else causing him to feel isolated and mentally hurt.
Evidence: " A guy needs somebody- to be near him." He whined, "A guy goes nuts if he ain't got nobody. Don't make no difference who the guy is, long's he's with you,"(Steinbeck,114).
Where was Crooks forced to live? Describe a little bit of what it was like to live there.
He was forced to live in the barn which was dark, small, and isolated.
Evidence from the book: "Crooks, the negro stable bunk, had his bunk in the harness room; a little shed that leaned off the wall of the barn. (Steinbeck 108)"
What was the very first conflict that happened in the book? What type of conflict is this?
Lennie with the boss. Man vs.Man
Evidence: "An you ain't gonna do no bad things like you done in Weed, neither,"(Steinbeck, 44).
What was Curley's wife's dream?
To be a hollywood star (Actress)
"He says he was gonna put me in the movies, says I was a natural. Soon's he got back to Hollywood he was gonna write to me about it."
Why did Carlson want to kill Candy's Dog?
He thought that the dog was stinky and old. He was annoyed of the Candy, and thought he was more superior than the old man.
Evidence from the book: " He don't have no fun, Carlson insisted." And he stinks to beat he--,"(Steinbeck, 85).
How does Curley's wife respect the morality of Lennie even when he does something wrong?
She gently comforts him and she does look down on him for his differences.
Evidence: "She took Lennie's hand and put it on her head. 'Feel right aroun' there an' see how soft it is'" (Steinbeck 134).
What does the bunk house offer to everyone living there?( In other words how does the bunk house make the characters feel?)
Answer: It offers protection and a chance to have a normal lifestyle. It is a privilege for them to have it.
Evidence from the book: "Against the walls were eight bunks, five of them made up with blankets and the other three showing their burlap ticking. Over each bunk there was nailed and apple box with the opening forward so that it made two shelves for the personal belongings of the occupant of the bunk." (steinbeck, 55)
When Curley wanted to fight George and Lennie because he got in a fist fight with Lennie, why was slim the deciding factor to change Curley's mind?
Slim was a well respected person, and well rounded in skills, and Curley respected him because of that, and knew that Slim is truthful in what he says.
Evidence: "You got your senses in hand enough to listen?" he asked. Curley nodded. "Well, then listen," Slim went on. "I think you got your han' caught in a machine. If you don't tell nobody what happened, we ain't going to. But you jus' tell an' try to get this guy canned and we'll tell ever'body, an' then will you get' the laugh."( Steinbeck, 66).
What was Lennie most excited about in their dream, and why?
To care for the Rabbits.
"For the Rabbit" Lennie shouted. " For the rabbits." George repeated. "And I get to tend the Rabbits." (Steinbeck, 150)
What did Curley threaten he was going to do to Lennie when he found him?
He said that he was going to shoot him right in the Gut.
Evidence: "I'm gonna get him. I'm going for my shotgun. I'll kill the big son-of-a-bi**h myself. I'll shoot 'I'm in the guts"...(Steinbeck, 141).
What impact does fear of loosing/ being fired on the farm dictate how George treats Lennie?
The impact of loosing/being fired on the farm causes George to be driven by fear and lash out at Lennie. In the book it gives us many evidence of this one being
Evidence: "We just come in," said George.
"Let the big gay talk."
Lennie twisted with embarrassment.
George said, "S’pose he don't want to talk?"
Curley lashed his body around. "By Christ,' he's gotta talk when he’s spoke to. What the hell are you gettin’ into it for?"
"We travel together," said George coldly.
With the time period being during the great depression, What are some of main struggles the characters face?
Lose of jobs, less opportunity of jobs, sustainable housing, less resources.
Evidence: "A guy needs somebody--to be near him,' He whined, 'A guy goes nuts if he ain't got nobody." (Steinbeck, 109) "Why aren't you wanted?' Lennie asked. 'Cause I'm black. They play cards in there, but I can't play because I'm black." (Steinbeck 110)
Lennie is holding back George because when he gets in trouble it effects Georges life. What are some of the main things that effect Georges life?
He doesn't get to settle down, can't have a girl, nor have a easy life.
Evidence: " God, you're in a lot of trouble," said George. " I could get along so easy and so nice if I didn't have you on my tail. I could live so easy and maybe have a girl,"(Steinbeck, 44).
George and Lennie have a bad feeling about the ranch. They stay despite knowing that there is going to be a bad outcome. Why is this?
They stay because they need the money, and they are longing to fulfill their dream of owning a ranch.
Evidence: "Lennie cried out suddenly--' I don' like this place, George. This ain't no good place. I wanna get outta here." (Steinbeck 72)
What were Lennie and George wearing?
Denim trousers and denim coats with brass buttons. Black shapeless hats.
"Both were in denim trousers and denim coats with brass buttons. Both wore black, shapeless hats and both carried carried light blanket rolls slung over their shoulders." (Steinbeck, 43).
With Slim having the most power, how does this change the dynamics of the farm?
He was respected and understood. Even when nobody liked Curley, Slim ordered them to treat him the same as everyone else.
Evidence: "His authority was so great that his word was taken on any subject, be it politics or love." (Steinbeck 73.)
Where did George and Lennie sleep on the first night of the story?
Under the stars, next a fire by the river.
Evidence: "They made beds on the sand.. the sycamore leaves whispered in the little night breeze."
Lennie desires to please George. What gets in the way that causes him to second guess himself all the time?
Lennie think that he is a bad person and he feels that he has no place among the men.
Evidence: "'George gonna say I done a bad thing. He ain't gonna let me tend no rabbits.'" (Steinbeck 135).
Lennie annoys George by his actions and his weak knowledge. George and Lennie fantasize about owning their own farm. What does George really want?
George want to live a life of his own but is to nervous to leave Lennie by himself.
Evidence: “no mess at all, and when the end of the month come I could take my fifty bucks and go into town and get whatever I want”’(Steinbeck 11)
How did George feel when he had to shoot Lennie? How did this major event affect him.
He felt Guilty or Relieved.
"But George sat stiffly on the bank and looked at his right hand that had thrown the gun away." (Steinbeck, 152.)
Lennie is powerless over his mental disability. This causes him to have no control over his physical strength. How does not having any power/control over himself affect those around him?
He harms people, he can't contribute to conversations, and he brings people down with him.
Evidence: "You ain't so little as mice. I didn't bounce you hard." He bent the pup's head up and looked in it's face..." Now maybe George ain't gonna let me tend no rabbits." (Steinbeck 139)
What is the significance of George telling Lennie to hide in the bush?
He could remember the area of where he needs to hide and it foreshadows what would happen in the future.
Evidence: "Well, look. Lennie-- if you jus' happen to get in trouble like you always done before, I want you to come right here an' hide in the brush." (steinbeck, 53)
What is the main conflict between George's dream of owning a farm with Lennie and reality of their difficult lives as farm workers.
George and Lennie struggle to achieve owning a farm because of poverty, discrimination, and the challenges of Lennie's actions.
Evidence: " They fell into a silence. They looked at one another, amazed. This thing they had never really believed in was coming true." (Steinbeck 100).
After Candy found out about George and Lennie's shared dream, How did he feel about it?
He shared that he wanted to join them, having the money and willing to do house work for them.
Evidence: "S'pose I went in with you guys. Tha's three hunderd an' fifty bucks I'd put in. I ain't much good, but I could cook and tend the chickens and hoe the garden some. How'd that be?"( Steinbeck, 61).