Plot
Where and when is the story set?
The story is set in California during the 1930s.
Describe the two main characters
George is a small, sharp-witted, but sharp-tempered man who acts as a caretaker for his companion, while Lennie is a large, physically strong but mentally childlike and forgetful man who depends on George for guidance. Despite their differences, they share a dream of owning their own farm.
Who said, "live off the fat of the land?"
Lennie
What is the great depression?
a severe worldwide economic downturn that lasted from 1929 to 1939. It was a period of mass unemployment, poverty, and widespread homelessness, marked by huge drops in industrial production and international trade. The economic crisis began after the U.S. stock market crashed in 1929, and its effects were felt globally.
Who took care of Lennie before George?
Aunt Clara
Why do George and Lennie have to leave town?
They are forced to flee from the town of Weed after Lennie scares a young woman by touching her dress and won't let go.
Who said, "No, Lennie. I ain't mad. I never been mad, an' I ain't now. That's a thing I want ya to know"
George
Who wrote Of Mice of Men?
John Steinbeck
What does Curley's dog's death foreshadow in the story?
Lennie's death
Why does Carlson want to shoot Candy's dog?
Carlson insists the dog is old, decrepit, and in pain, and that it would be best to put it out of its misery.
Why do other men respect Slim so much?
He is the leader of the farm.
Who said, "I wasn’t listenin. I was just standin’ in the shade a minute scratching my dog”
Candy
Who were migrant workers?
They were men who traveled the country looking for farm work.
What was the name of the brothel the men went to?
Susy's Place
Describe the events leading up to Lennie killing Curley's Wife
He is petting her soft hair, and when she complains and screams, he holds on too tightly and breaks her neck.
Who is the son of the rancher and what does he do in his spare time?
Curley, he boxes
Who said, "He ain’t no good to you, Candy. An’ he ain’t no good to himself."
Carlson
What type of book is this?
A Novella
What was so significant about the way the Boss and Curely dressed?
The wore cowboy boots with heels. It proved they did not work in the fields at all.
What does George tell Lennie before he shoots him?
George tells Lennie the story of their dream farm one last time to distract him, then shoots him in the back of the head with Carlson's gun to prevent him from suffering at Curley's hands.
Who is a skilled mule driver and skinner?
Slim
Who said, "Nobody never gets to heaven, and nobody gets no land.”
Crooks
Where did John Steinbeck get inspiration for the story?
From his own experiences working as a migrant farmworker in California's San Joaquin Valley.
What is Curley's Wife's name?
She doesn't have one