Main Characters
Lennie's caretaker and friend, works as a ranch hand
George
Owner of the ranch where the men work
The boss
"And I get to tend the rabbits."
Lennie
What dream does Curley's wife feel like she missed out on?
She wanted to go to Hollywood and be in the movies
The place where George tells Lennie to go if he gets into trouble.
The riverbank
Very strong developmentally disabled man who relies on his friend for care
Lennie
Due to being old and sick, is taken out back and shot
Candy's dog
"If I was alone, I could live so easy."
George
Lennie got in trouble for touching a girl's skirt.
Where does Crooks live and why?
He lives in a room in the barn separate from the other men.
An old worker who is missing a hand
Candy
A ranch hand who kills Candy's dog
Carlson
"You got no right to come in my room."
Crooks
What is George's dream for the future?
To have a house, land, and the freedom to do what he wants.
How are the shootings of Candy's dog and Lennie similar? How are they different?
They are both shot in the back of the head to avoid pain. Lennie is a human, Candy's dog is an animal.
The "jerkline skinner" who is respected and considered the authority
Slim
African-American man with a crooked spine who lives in the barn
Crooks
Candy
Who makes the "dream" seem like a reality for the first time?
Candy does when he offers to contribute his life savings if he can join.
What is unusual about George and Lennie according to others?
They stick together and have a friendship.
The boss's son who is an easily angered former boxer
Curley
Seeks the attention of men on the ranch and is constantly looked for by Curley
Curley's wife
"You can talk to people, but I can't talk to nobody but Curley. Else he gets mad. How'd you like not to talk to anybody?"
Curley's wife
Why is the story about Weed significant in the second half of the book?
It foreshadows Lennie's attack and killing of Curley's wife.
What is happening in this final scene?
"Look down there acrostic the river, like you can almost see the place."
Lennie obeyed him.
George is about to kill Lennie. He is doing this as an act of mercy for his friend, so that he does not experience a more painful death.