Setting / Imagery
Steinbeck describes Lennie using this animal.
A bear.
Why is Slim upset at Curley upon returning to the bunkhouse?
Curly accused him of flirting with his wife.
George tells Lennie a story about the rabbits. What is the purpose of this?
To remind Lennie of their dream.
Explain the significance of Lennie's need for soft things.
One possible answer: it shows his innocence and that he is vulnerable.
He was laughing.
Old Susy's place serves this purpose in the novel.
A brothel.
How does the boss treat George and Lennie?
With suspicion.
DAILY DOUBLE
How does George's attitude toward Lennie change throughout the first two chapters?
It alternates between frustration and protective.
Recall when George tells Lennie to hide in the brush. What predication can we, as readers, make based on this interaction?
Lennie may get in trouble.
What situation causes George to stop playing mean-spirited jokes on Lennie?
Lennie nearly drowns in a river.
Candy's vision of the farm and rabbits represents what?
A simple life with security and belonging.
Steinbeck describes Curley's glance as 'at once calculating and pugnacious.' What characteristics does this reveal about Curley?
Curley is aggressive and confrontational.
What role does the 'American Dream' play up to this point in the novel?
It is a source of hope and motivation for the characters.
Both provide companionship.
Both provide companionship.
The imagery in the first few paragraphs of the novel creates what kind of atmosphere?
One that is calm and peaceful.
George says it would be a good thing if Lennie had been kicked in the head by a horse. What does George mean?
Lennie would have a legitimate excuse for his behavior.
Candy talks to George and Lennie about sharing in their dream. How does including Candy affect the chances of living out this dream?
By combining their savings and adding another person, their dream becomes achievable.
What is George's biggest fear at the beginning of Chapter 2?
His fear is that Lennie will get himself into trouble.
What underlying message is evident when Carlson suggests shooting Candy's old dog?
The message is American society can dispose of things that are no longer useful or they are too much of a burden.
What important information does George reveal to Slim about the incident in Weed?
Lennie's love for soft things.
Why does the boss find Lennie and George unusual, and how does the boss treat them?
They're traveling closely. The boss is suspicious.
Why does George become angry at Lennie after they arrive at the clearing?
Because he is drinking stagnant water.
How does Steinbeck use foreshadowing in the chapters that you've read?
Possible answers: through the characters' past, their personalities, or their physical appearances.
Consider Candy's statement in the novel: "A guy on a ranch don't never listen nor he don't ask no questions." What does this reveal about the workers' lives?
They are expected to mind their own business to keep their jobs.