Themes
Which major theme of the novel is explicitly introduced in the opening chapter when George describes how "guys that work on ranches are the loneliest guys in the world"?
The theme of loneliness and isolation.
Which character is intellectually disabled?
Lennie Small
Where do Lennie and George go to work?
A ranch in Soledad
Who does George kill?
Lennie
What does the recurring dream of the small farm and "living off the fat of the land" symbolize about American society during the Great Depression?
The elusive nature of the American Dream and the universal desire for independence and security.
Who does Lennie “speak” to after running away?
Aunt Clara
What is the name of the river from the start of the story?
The Salinas River
DAILY DOUBLE?
What is in Curley's glove?
Vaseline
How does the harsh reality of the ranch culture affect the theme of companionship, specifically regarding how the other workers view George and Lennie's bond?
The other workers view it with suspicion and surprise, because companionship is incredibly rare and misunderstood in their dog-eat-dog world.
Which character shoots another’s dog?
Carlson
What does George describe to Lennie while he prepares to shoot him?
The little farm
How much money does Candy have in the bank?
$350
How does the theme of nature vs. civilization play out through the setting, specifically contrasting the peaceful brush by the Salinas River with the bunkhouse?
The river represents a safe, natural sanctuary of freedom, while the bunkhouse represents the harsh, confining, and dangerous realities of human society.
Who planned to give his life savings towards a farm?
Candy
What did the ranch workers think Lennie stole?
Carlson Lueger
Who is the vertically challenged character who leads a hunting party to lynch Lennie?
Curley
How does the book explore the theme of powerlessness through Curley’s wife, particularly regarding how her gender limits her freedom and forces her to use cruel words to gain control over others?
She has no name, no independence, and no real authority on the male-dominated ranch, which drives her to use her social status to threaten weaker characters like Crooks just to feel a sense of power.
Who is the African American person on the farm who is outcasted?
Crooks
Why were George and Lennie leaving the ranch in weed?
Lennie touched a woman's dress and wouldn’t let go.
What kind of gun does Carlson have?
A luger