Setting and Characters
Where does most of Chapter 2 take place?
The bunkhouse
Who is Curley?
The Boss's Son
What does “whitewashed walls and unpainted floors” create for the reader?
Visual
What does Candy’s dog represent?
Aging and weakness in a world that values strength
“Slim’s opinions were law.” What does this show about Slim’s role?
He’s respected and fair — a natural leader
What does Candy use to clean the bunkhouse?
A Broom
How does Curley act toward larger men like Lennie?
He’s aggressive and tries to pick fights
What kind of imagery is used when Steinbeck describes the “rattle of halter chains”?
Auditory
Why does George become suspicious when the boss questions him and Lennie?
He worries the boss will think they’re hiding something
“A tall man stood in the doorway.” Who is this describing?
Slim
What animal does Candy’s old dog symbolize?
Weakness or uselessness on the ranch
What color does Curley’s wife often wear?
Red
When Steinbeck writes “the hay smelled sweet and dusty,” what type of imagery is this?
Olfactory
What detail about the boss’s gift of whiskey on Christmas shows about him?
He’s not cruel, but disconnected from the workers’ real lives
“A tart” is how the men describe which character?
Curley's Wife
Which character is described as “the prince of the ranch”?
Slim
Why does Curley’s wife spend so much time in the bunkhouse?
She’s lonely and wants attention
What does Lennie stroking his blanket represent through tactile imagery?
His childlike nature and need for comfort
Free Space
Free Space
What does George’s warning to Lennie about Curley show?
George is protective and cautious of danger
What does the description of the bunkhouse tell us about the workers’ lives?
It shows their lives are simple, lonely, and lacking comfort or personal belongings.
What does Curley’s behavior reveal about power on the ranch?
Power comes from status, not respect — Curley uses fear and authority to control others.
How does Steinbeck’s imagery make the ranch seem both realistic and depressing?
The sensory details show the rough, lonely, and harsh conditions the men live in.
What does the ranch itself symbolize for the men?
A hard, lonely life where dreams rarely come true
How does Steinbeck use dialogue in Chapter 2 to reveal social hierarchy?
The way the men talk shows power, class, and respect — Slim’s words carry weight while Candy and Lennie are dismissed.