Important Quotes
Which character says, “Whatever we ain't got, that's what you want. God a'mighty, if I was alone I could live so easy. I could go get a job an' work, an no trouble.”
George
What could the following description from the story symbolize and foreshadow?
"I ought to of shot that dog myself, George."
It symbolizes deep regret over abdicating personal responsibility, foreshadowing George’s decision to kill Lennie himself rather than allowing a stranger (Curley) to do it. It highlights the themes of mercy, the loss of companionship, and the harsh reality that the weak are inevitably removed by the strong.
Curley's hand and he crushes it because "George tells him to" since Curley is beating him up.
Name the three living things Lennie kills throughout the story.
A mouse, the pup, and Curley's wife
Name one theme from the story.
-The predatory nature of mankind
-The importance of fraternity idealized relationships between men (brotherhood)
-The impossibility of the American Dream
Which character says, "I could of hoed in the garden and washed dishes for them guys."
Candy :(
What is the setting of the story?
Salinas, CA in the 1930s.
Describe the climax of the story.
Lennie snaps Curley's wife's neck and has to run away.
Physically describe three of the characters in detail.
Answers vary
While standing in the barn looking at the dead body of Curley's wife, what question does Candy ask George?
Candy asks George if the two of them could still "go in" together on their own farm.
Which character says, "I think I knowed from the very first. I think I knowed we'd never do her."
George
What type of literary device does Steinbeck employ in the line below?
"His huge companion dropped his blankets and flung himself down and drank from the surface of the green pool; drank with long gulps, snorting into the water like a horse."
Simile- using "like" to compare Lennie drinking to a horse.
Why is Candy unable to imagine getting rid of his old dog?
He's had it since the dog was a puppy.
Name three characters that are lonely throughout the story. Why are they each lonely?
Crooks- the only African American person on the farm, isn't allowed to talk to others, etc.
Curley's wife- only woman on the farm, isn't allowed to talk to anyone, cannot execute her dream of being an actress.
Candy- Older man whose only real companion was killed- knows he will be 'canned' soon
Paraphrase what George says to Lennie before shooting him (hint: think about the VERY last thing he says to him).
He tells Lennie he is sorry he let him down/he's not mad at him.
Which character says, “Everybody wants a little piece of lan'. I read plenty of books out here. Nobody never gets to heaven, and nobody gets no land. It's just in their head. They're all the time talkin' about it, but it's jus' in their head."
Crooks
The fact that Lennie kills things even though he is gentle and peaceful is an example of the author’s use of...
Irony. It is ironic that Lennie is a big guy (Lennie Small) and that he kills things while being characterized as gentle.
Describe the point in the story where George realizes they could accomplish their dream.
When Candy offers to give his savings to help secure a farm.
Who is the only respected character that truly understands George and Lennie?
Slim. He asks questions about them but never judges them. He defends them when needed and consoles George after George shoots Lennie.
Name two reasons why George and Lennie want to "live offa the fatta the lan."
-They wouldn't have to work for anyone
-They would be safe from others- no one would have to get hurt :(
-The rabbits
Which character says, "You're all scared of each other, that's what. Ever' one of you 's scared the rest is goin' to get something on you."
Curley's wife
Explain two rising action plot points within the story. Remember a story has an exposition, rising action, the climax, falling action, and resolution.
-Conflicts with Curley
-Lennie killing the dog
What is Steinbeck trying to show during chapter four? This is the chapter in Crooks' room.
Steinbeck is showing the ever-present loneliness that is present during this time period. Lennie- lonely without George and as someone with a disability. Curley's wife- lonely because she doesn't have anyone to talk to. Crooks- the most lonely character in the story as someone physically secluded from the others and able to talk to no one. He is threatened by Curley's wife- also Steinbeck displaying blatant racism from the time period.
What is Curley's wife's fatal flaw?
She is vain and lets Lennie touch her hair.
In his younger years, George was cruel to Lennie. What event caused him to change his mind? Think back to the story George told Slim in earlier chapters.
George told Lennie to jump into a river even though Lennie couldn't swim. When George pulled Lennie from the river, Lennie thanked him for saving his life. This shows Lennie's innocence and dependence on George.