Character & Setting
What is the name of the old swamper who has a missing hand and speaks with George and Lennie early in the chapter?
Candy
Why was the boss suspicious of George's relationship with Lennie when they first met him?
He suspected George might be taking advantage of Lennie
What is Curley’s relation to the boss?
Curley is the boss’s son.
Which character complains that Candy's dog is useless, old, and smelly?
Carlson
What do women represent to George and Lennie so far in the novel?
Temptation and problems
What came out of the old swamper's sleeve when they began speaking with him?
A stick-like wrist, but no hand (Candy's missing hand)
According to Candy, why had the boss been mad at George and Lennie earlier?
Because they didn't show up to work the night before.
How is Curley physically described in the chapter?
A thin young man with tightly curled hair who is a lightweight fighter and wears a glove on his left hand.
What did Slim do with the four smallest of Lulu’s nine puppies?
He drowned the four smallest puppies (because Lulu had too many to nurse
What recurring dream do George and Lennie talk about that motivates them?
Owning a small farm of their own where they can be independent.
Who is Crooks and where does he live on the ranch?
Crooks is the stable buck (the Black worker) who lives alone in the harness room.
What simile does George use to describe Lennie when they meet the boss?
George describes Lennie as being "as strong as a bull."
Who does Curley like to pick on?
Bigger guys.
Bonus +100pts. What is the word that best describes this action due to Curley's size?
How do the other men on the ranch feel about Slim?
They look up to him and respect his authority.
How does the treatment of Candy’s dog connect to the book’s larger themes?
It highlights themes of mercy vs. cruelty, the disposability of the old and weak, and how survival can override compassion.
How did Crooks become crippled according to the chapter text?
A horse kicked him in the back.
What does George accuse Candy of overhearing?
George accuses Candy of overhearing their dream of owning a farm (Lennie talking about it).
When Curley comes into the bunkhouse, who is he looking for?
His wife.
Which character is described by: “He was a jerkline skinner….There was a gravity in his manner and a quiet so profound that all talk stopped when he spoke…”?
Slim
Explain how loneliness is shown in Chapter 2 through at least two characters and actions/events.
Crooks’ isolation in the harness room shows racial and social loneliness; Candy’s attachment to his dog and fear of being useless shows the loneliness and insecurity of aging. Curley’s wife’s behavior reveals her loneliness and need for attention.
Describe the bunkhouse setting and how it reflects life for the ranch workers.
The bunkhouse is sparse and utilitarian with narrow beds and few comforts; it highlights the transitional, lonely, and hard life of ranch hands.
When Lennie overhears Slim talking about his dog having puppies, how does Lennie react?
Lennie begs George (or asks) to get him a puppy — specifically hoping for a brown and white one.
What is notable about Curley’s wife’s name and how do the men view her?
She is not given a personal name (referred to only as Curley's wife); the men consider her flirtatious and a "tart."
Which character does Carlson specifically call "useless, old, and smelly" and suggest should be put out of his misery?
Candy’s dog
Why is Curley’s wife’s lack of a given name symbolically important?
It underscores her lack of identity and agency, and how she is defined only by her relationship to Curley.