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Where does this story take place?
Soledad, California; by the Salinas River
Why can't Curly get fired from the ranch?
He is the boss's son.
What is Lennie's dream?
When did the Dust Bowl take place?
1930's
Which period of American history does this story take place?
What is the Great Depression.
Why were George and Lennie chased out of Weed?
Lennie scared a woman when he tried to feel her dress, possibly assaulting her.
Who shot Candy's dog, and why did he do it?
Carlson, because the dog "wasn't no good to Candy or himself no more."
What was George's dream?
To have a piece of land and not have to take care of other people's land.
What was the cause of the Dust Bowl?
Improper farming practices, ruining the soil, drought, large winds
What is the American Dream?
The concept that anyone can accomplish their dreams if they work hard enough; that success = happiness.
What does George tell Lennie to do while they are talking to their new boss?
Keep his mouth shut, "don't say nothing"
What is Candy's disability?
He is missing a hand after it got torn off by a tractor.
What is Candy's dream?
To belong somewhere, to not be thrown away when he is too old to work, to feel useful.
What disease did the Dust Bowl cause?
Dust pneumonia
Is the American Dream truly attainable by everyone?
No- not all people have the same opportunities/privileges.
What was George's lie to the boss in his defense of Lennie?
Lennie is George's cousin, he was kicked in the head by a horse when he was a kid.
What does Slim want Curly to tell people about his busted hand?
It got caught in a machine.
What is Curley's wife's dream?
To be in the pictures (movies) and be a star in Hollywood.
What four states were affected by the Dust Bowl the most?
Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, Colorado
What effect did the Great Depression have on the lives of ordinary Americans?
People were forced out of their homes and had no money, food, or jobs. The economy crashed.
What was wrong with the stable buck?
He was kicked in the back by a horse, making his back crooked.
Who was Lennie talking to at the end of the book, on the banks of the river?
Aunt Clara and a giant rabbit.
What was Crook's dream?
How did the Great Depression and Dust Bowl challenge the concept of the American Dream?
It made it more about what you have rather than what you need; people were more likely to judge success on how much money you had.
How did the Great Depression change American society? What was a lasting consequence?
It encouraged the government to step in and take care of the people. Social Security, better farming practices, public assistance programs for people in poverty