Figures
This small, quick man who is the protector of his large companion
Who is George Milton?
George and Lennie are forced to flee this town after Lennie panics and grabs a woman's dress
What is Weed?
This shared goal represents the dream of freedom, independence, and safety for George, Lennie and Candy
What is owning their piece of land?
The story is set during the massive economic downturn of the 1930s
What is the Great Depression?
This character targets and picks fights with Lennie because he dislikes Men who are bigger than him
Who is Curley?
This Large, mentally disabled migrant worker loves to pet soft things but is unaware of his own physical strength
Who is Lennie Small?
Lennie accidentally kills this animal in the barn shortly before Curley's wife walks in to talk to him
What is a puppy?
The shooting of Candy's ancient, helpless dog directly foreshadows this tragic event at the end of the book
What is the shooting/death of Lennie?
Lennie and George have a bug dream to buy their own piece of land so they can raise these fuzzy, long eared animals that Lennie wants to tend
What are rabbits?
George and Lennie's bond stands out significantly because most migrant workers of this era suffer from an intense sense of this emotional state
What is Loneliness?
The aging ranch swamper who lost his right hand in a farming accident and fears being fired due to his age
Who is Candy?
Carlson uses his Luger pistol to execute this creature, which upsets Candy
What is Candy's old dog?
This character's lack of personal name throughout the entire story symbolizes the isolation and status of women during the era
Who is Curley's wife?
This central theme represents the universal human desire for prosperity and happiness, which proves impossible for the characters to achieve
What is the American Dream?
This character is strictly banned from entering the bunkhouse by the other ranch hands, creating deep resentment and social division in the barn
Who is Crooks?
The aggressive, short tempered son of the boss who wears a work glove full of Vaseline on his left hand
Who is Curley?
During a brutal bunkhouse confrontation, Lennie defends himself by completely crushing this part of Curley's body
What is his hand?
The death of this tiny creature in Chapter 1 foreshadows Lennie's inability to control his strength around soft thing
What is a mouse?
This U.S. state serves as the setting for the story, reflecting John Steinbeck's own birthplace
What is California?
Candy experiences deep regret after his dog is killed because, he believes he should've carried this action out himself.
What is put down his own dog?
The highly respected "jerkline skinner" on the ranch whose voice carries authority among the men
Who is Slim?
George shoots Lennie in the back of the head at this location
What is the Salinas River?
The fact that Crooks is forced to live completely isolated in the harness room symbolizes the 1930s reality
What is racial segregation?
George, Lennie, and Crooks all have a shared dream that was nearly impossible for these types of 1930s travelers to achieve
What are migrant workers?
Curley's wife confesses to Lennie that she only married Curley to escape her mother and because she failed to achieve this career ambition
What is becoming a movie star?