MOD#24 Honors English 11 Of Mice and Men Study Guide E-Assignment

Study Guide for Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck Chapter 1 Questions 1. When George and Lennie approach the river, why does George warn Lennie not to drink too much water? The water is unsanitary, or as he says scummy. George warns him of not drinking too much, because hed get sick like he was the previous night. 2. What has George told Lennie about that he always remembers even when he forgets everything else? George tells Lennie that he forgets everything except for the Rabbits that hell get to take care of if he and George get their own farm. 3. Why does Lennie have a dead mouse in his pocket? Lennie is special. He is mentally retarded, and he loves petting and touching soft things. So, when the mouse he was petting died from his squeezing his head, he couldnt comprehend that he was supposed to throw it away. Therefore, he just kept the dead mouse in his pocket to pet. 4. Why does George order Lennie not to talk when they get to the ranch? George is worried that if Lennie was to talk and the boss would realize that Lennie isnt really smart at all, then he would send them away and not let them work. 5. What happened to all of the mice that Lennies Aunt Clara gave him? Lennie killed them all. He cannot comprehend that it is his fault, and that he cant squeeze them like he does. When they wiggle too much, he squeezes them hard. Lennie is a very strong man, and cannot control his strength. He killed all of the mice his Aunt Clara gave him. 6. Why have George and Lennie run away from Weed? Lennie grabbed a womans dress because it looked soft, and when she screamed he squeezed harder and froze out of fear. The woman claimed that Lennie raped her, even though he didnt. They had to run from Weed immediately. 7. What does Lennie want to eat with his beans? Lennie wants to have ketchup with his beans.

8. Why does George say that migrant workers who travel from farm to farm are the loneliest people in the world? Migrant workers cant keep actual relations. They travel too much to keep a friendship unless they travel together like George and Lennie. They dont get to settle down, or have a woman to call their own. Its only their selves or whoever theyre traveling with. 9. What dream do George and Lennie share? Both men share the dream of getting their own farm. They wouldnt have to travel all of the time, they would make money and food for themselves off of the crops they grew. They also have plans for putting rabbits on the farm, and as long as Lennie doesnt mess up while theyre working hard to get enough money to get the farm, he could take care of the rabbits. 10. What does George tell Lennie to do if he gets in trouble at their new job site? George tells Lennie he must go to the spot they camped out at before they went to work, and wait for George to come find him. Chapter 1 Vocabulary Juncture A place where routes/trails/tracks meet/combine/join. Mottled Spotted or blotched. Recumbent Reclining or leaning. Morose Gloomy, or sullenly ill humored. Brusque Blunt, rough, or abrupt in manner. Imperiously Dictatorial or overbearing. Anguish Feeling of suffering or distress.

Chapter 2 Questions 1. Where do the ranch hands keep their personal belongings such as soap, razors and magazines? The ranch hands keep all of their personal belongings in the bunk house, on a shelf made from an apple box. 2. Candy, the old swamper who shows George and Lennie to their bunks, is missing what limb? He is missing his hand.

3. What evidence does the old swamper give that the ranch boss is a pretty nice fella? He tells them he bought them whiskey on Christmas, and lets them beat on the Stable buck. 4. What evidence is there that the boss is not a working man? He is dressed very nicely; he isnt wearing anything that would indicate that he does any physical labor on the farm. 5. According to the old swamper, what is Curley good at? He is good at boxing. 6. According to the old swamper, why does Curley wear a work glove on his left hand? The glove is filled with Vaseline to keep his left hand soft for his wife. 7. What is the general attitude toward Curleys wife? Nobody seems to like her, she seems like a nuisance and a trouble maker when in reality shes just lonely. 8. Describe Slim, the jerkline skinner. He is highly looked up to on the farm. Hes a tad bit older, but not old enough to be considered an old man. He is understanding and generally a respectable guy. 9. Why does Carlson suggest shooting Candys dog? Carlson believes that the dog is too old and serves no purpose, and that it smells so bad that he can smell it across the room. He refers to it as putting it out of its misery. Also, Slims dog is having puppies and Slim offers Candy one of his pups. 10. What is the understood question that Lennie wants George to ask Slim? The understood question between Lennie and George that Lennie wants George to ask Slim is if Slim would let Lennie keep one of his puppies. Chapter 2 Vocabulary Mollify To comfort, soften, or appease. Pugnacious Quarrelsome, a violent person or someone who likes to pick fights. Ominous Threatening. Slough Muddy, soft part of land. Also may be swamp like. Derogatory Insulting, belittling, or disparaging.

Complacent Pleased, pleasant, content, or satisfied.

Chapter 3 Questions 1. Why does George say Lennie will want to sleep in the barn that Friday night? George knows Lennie will want to sleep with the puppy. 2. According to George, how did he end up traveling with Lennie? George lies and tells them that Lennie is his cousin. 3. What happened that made George stop playing dirty tricks on Lennie? He told him to jump into a river, and Lennie did. When he did, he sank like a rock. He couldnt swim. So when George pulled him out, Lennie thanked him and praised him for saving him as if he completely forgot that George was the one who told him to jump in. From that point on, George stopped playing tricks on Lennie. 4. Why did George and Lennie have to flee from Weed? Lennie grabbed a womans dress because it looked soft, and when she screamed he squeezed harder and froze out of fear. The woman claimed that Lennie raped her, even though he didnt. They had to run from Weed immediately. 5. Who makes the final decision on whether or not Candys old dog should be shot? Candy makes the final decision. 6. What is significant about the letter Whit reads from the Western magazine? It is a letter than an old co-worker wrote to a magazine while they worked together and it was finally published. It also shows that their old friend is literate, and that they dont really remember who he is. That shows how theyre not really good at keeping relationships, just as George had said about migrant workers before. 7. Why does George agree to let Candy come with them to their dream farm? Because Candy says he will work for free, even though he cant do too well with only one hand. 8. Why does Curley attack Lennie in the bunk house? Lennie laughed at something that the guys laughed about earlier. Lennie was accused of laughing at Curley by Curley, and so Curley picked a fight.

9. Why does Curley agree not to get Lennie fired for crushing his hand? Curley would look very bad, and its also embarrassing. Not only is embarrassment a factor, but fear also plays a role in his agreement. If Lennie can crush his hand just by squeezing and barely fighting back, imagine what he could do if he was mad at Curley for getting him fired. 10. What punishment does Lennie fear he will get for hurting Curley? Lennie fears that George wont let him tend to the rabbits when they get their farm.

Chapter 3 Vocabulary Derision Disrespect, scorn, disparagement. Reprehensible - Bad, wrong, inexcusable, unacceptable. Bemused Confused, puzzled, bewildered. Cower Hide in shame, cringe, lowering oneself in fear. Wryly Amusingly, or in a humorous manner.

Chapter 4 Questions 1. Why has Crooks been able to accumulate more personal items than the other ranch hands? Crooks does not share the bunkhouse with the other ranch hands. He is black, and they do not want to share a bunkhouse with a black man. 2. What reason does Crooks first give for Lennie not being welcome in his room? Crooks says that if a black man isnt wanted in the other mens bunk room, then he doesnt welcome a white man in his bunk room. 3. According to Crooks, why does a person need a companion? People need other people to talk to in order to survive. 4. What is Crookss initial response to Candys account of the dream farm and what evidence is there that his attitude changes? At first, Crooks acted as if the dream was impossible. Then, he began to offer to do odd jobs around the farm to help out.

5. According to Curleys wife, why are the men afraid to talk to her when there is more than one present? The other workers may rat them out and Curley would accuse them of having an affair. 6. Why doesnt Curleys wife like talking to her husband? She states that Curley is full of himself, and she gets tired of talking to only him. 7. What reason does Candy give when he says that they are no longer afraid that Curleys wife will get them fired? He says that now they have a dream to rely on, and they dont have to worry about her because if she gets them fired theyll have a new place to work. 8. What makes Crooks so bold as to confront Curleys wife and tell her to leave his room? He has support from Candy and Lennie and he can afford to take risks by telling her to get out because hell have a different job if she gets him fired. 9. How does Candy finally make Curleys wife leave the barn? He says that he thinks the men are coming back. 10. What does George say about Candy and Lennie visiting with Crooks? He doesnt like the idea of Lennie and Candy hanging around Crooks, let alone bothering him.

Chapter 4 Vocabulary Aloof Indifferent, standoffish, distant. Liniment A cream, ointment, or balm. Fawning To seek favor or notice. Disarming Charming, enchanting, able to make someone put their guards down, or seem very trustworthy. Indignation A strong displeasure towards something found unjust. Averted Prevented, avoided.

Chapter 5 Questions 1. What has happened to Lennies puppy and why? Lennie killed it on accident, he shook it very hard and it died. 2. What two pieces of information does Curleys wife share with Lennie? 1. She doesnt like being married to Curley. He was more of a last resort. 2. She always dreamed of being a star, and she had her chance. 3. Why does Curleys wife offer to let Lennie caress her hair? He tells her he likes soft things, and she tells him that her hair is soft and he is able to play with it as long as he doesnt mess it up. 4. How and why does Lennie kill Curleys wife? He suffocated her. She told him to stop petting her hair, and when she tried to pull away he ended up gripping tightly onto her hair. She started screaming, so his big hand covered her mouth and nose to where she couldnt breathe. 5. Why does George say that they cant let Lennie escape to live on his own? Lennie is incapable of taking care of himself and living on his own. Also, it would be inhumane to send someone of that condition off into the woods to live alone. 6. What is Candys greatest fear? He is afraid that once he is incapable of cleaning he will be let go, or kicked off. 7. When George asks Slim about just trying to catch Lennie instead of killing him, what advice does Slim give George? Curly wouldnt allow him to get away alive, and if they only catch him then theyll end up putting him in a cage and Lennie isnt meant to live in a cage. 8. What makes the men think that Lennie is armed? Carlsons gun is missing. 9. Where does Curley plan to aim if he shoots Lennie? He would shoot him in the guts so he would be disabled and wouldnt be able to leave. 10. Who stays with Curleys wife as the others go off in pursuit of Lennie? Candy stays with Curleys wife.

Chapter 5 Vocabulary Jeer To yell and shout, mock, or to taunt. Consoled To lessen the amount of grief or sorrow, to lighten disappointment. Contort To twist or distort, to draw out of shape. Writhe To twist or squirm. Cringe To shrink or crouch in fear.

Chapter 6 Questions 1. What scenes of death does Steinbeck describe in the beginning of Chapter 6 that parallel the events of the previous chapter and foreshadow the event to come? The death of the mice, and the puppy 2. How does the chapter bring the book full circle? The last chapter is just George and Lennie, they were at the little clearing, and George recites their plan once again, all just as it was in the beginning. 3. What two imaginary visitors does Lennie have while sitting on the river bank? His Aunt Clara (who is dead), and a giant rabbit come to visit him. 4. What is the subject of the conversation Lennie has with his first visitor? She basically lectures him for causing so much trouble, and not listening to George. 5. What does his second visitor tell Lennie that recalls an earlier conversation he had with Crooks? He tells him that George will probably abandon him for being so bad. 6. How is George and Lennies conversation similar to the one that they had by the pool in Chapter 1? It is George reciting their plan for their own farm to comfort Lennie and make him feel better. 7. Where has George gotten the gun he takes from his front pocket while sitting with Lennie on the river bank? It is Carlsons gun that he stole, that all of the men think Lennie stole.

8. What evidence is there that George is having a terribly difficult time bringing himself to shoot Lennie? He has been with Lennie his whole life. It is hard to shoot someone youve been with your whole life. Also, he knows that Lennie doesnt mean to do the things he do, and that hes really just a nice person. 9. What lie does George tell about the way Lennie died? He tells the men that Lennie had the gun and tried to hurt him, so he grabbed the gun and shot him. 10. What evidence is there that Slim understands what has really happened there on the river bank? Slim knows, also, that Lennie would never intentionally hurt someone, let alone hurt George.

Chapter 6 Vocabulary Lanced To pierce or cut through. Scudded Moved quickly or hurriedly Belligerently Warlike. Jarred To have an unpleasant or disturbing effect on someones nerves (nerve racking).