Lennie
George
Allusions
Symbolism
Ranch Characters
100

What animal is Lennie most excited to take care of on the "dream" farm? 

What are rabbits. 

100

Why does George travel with Lennie when he is so much trouble? 

What is companionship; the two men having each other, gives them more than all the other men on the ranch, even Curly and the Boss. 

100

In Christianity, what is Saint George known for?

St. George is known for slaying a dragon. 

100

Considering the location of the opening of the book, which biblical character might Curley's wife represent? 

Who is Eve. 

100

What argument does Carlson make that finally persuades Candy to let him shoot his dog? 

What is, Carlson uses an emotional appeal argument (pathos); ending the suffering the dog is experiencing is the most correct thing to do. 

200

What animal did Aunt Clara give Lennie from time to time? 

What is mice. 

200
Why does George feel comfortable opening up to Slim? 

What is, it could be his "god-like eyes," his great listening skills, or his air of wisdom. 

200

How does the title, Of Mice and Men, taken from a line in the Robert Byrne's poem, "To a Mouse," relate to the central theme of a dream deferred? 

What is, the mouse in the poem, or the man, can have the best, most thought out plans, but nature and fate can make them all fall apart in an instant. 

200

Why does Crooks tell Candy to "forget" what he said about joining the men on their "dream" farm? 

The threat made by Curley's wife, reminds him that the farm dream is likely not attainable, and rather than take an emotional chance by opening up to the other men, he shuts down to protect himself.
200

What does Curley do to keep his left hand soft for his new wife? 

Wears a glove full of vaseline.

300

The night he enters Crooks' room, what is Lennie doing in the barn in the first place? 

What is he is playing with his puppy. 

300

What river is the last place George says he made a joke at Lennie's expense at? 

What is the Sacramento river? 

300

What scene from the Bible does the pool at the beginning of the book represent, and what happens in those scenes that is comparable?

What is the Garden of Eden and the loss of innocence/gaining of all knowledge, or, loss of a dream/facing reality. 

300

How did Crooks get his nickname? 

His back is broken and crooked. 

300

When George goes into town with the rest of the men on a Saturday night,  who tells Lennie that George may not be coming back? And Why do they do that? 

Who is, Crooks

400

Why does Curly attack Lennie in the bunkhouse? 

Curly mistakes Lennie smiling about the thought of rabbits as laughing at him about his insecurities about his wife. 

400

Why does Slim take such a liking to George? 

What is, George is intelligent, nice, and different than most of the men who pass through the ranch. 

400

What "biblical" animal is seen in the opening scene of the book? 

What is a snake. 

400

Who or what might Candy and his dog metaphorically symbolize? 

What is, George and Lennie. Lennie causes a lot of problems for himself and George, and George ends up shooting his best friend because it is the most humane thing he can do. 

400

Why is Curley's wife always looking for Curley? 

What is, she uses her search for Curley to come around and talk with the other men on the ranch; she is lonely and seeking attention and companionship. 

500

What is Lennie accused of in weed? 

What is sexual assault. 

500
What city are both George and Lennie from? 

What is Auburn, California. 

500

What words does Steinbeck use when talking about or around Slim that make some people consider him Christ-like? 

What are, "God-like," "confession,"  or the "baptism" George describes.

500

What is a rabbit hole, and how might you relate it to the book?

What is, it is used to refer to a bizarre, confusing, or nonsensical situation or environment, typically one from which it is difficult to extricate oneself. 

The men are stuck in an economic system that makes it very hard for them to elevate their wealth and social status; they may be chasing a dream that is never really attainable — Crooks' father had a farm just like the one George and Lennie plan on having.


500

In Crook's room, what is the one book the narrator mentions by title? How does the author use this to add depth to Crooks' character? 

The 1905 edition of the California Civil Code. 

We know that Crooks knows about the illegality of his living quarters, and the validity of a threat like the one Curly's wife makes.