Of Mice and Men
Chapter 4 Comprehension Worksheet
Name ______
Date ______
1. Create a timeline of the main events in chapter four. Please include at least six events. (NOTE: Make sure that you are telling the full story of the chapter in this timeline—not simply filling in the first six things that strike you, and then not including the ending events!)
2. Crooks’ bunk in the harness room (part of the barn) is described in great detail. In the space below, sketch his room as described on pages 66-67. (As with the drawings for chapter 2, don’t worry about your artistic talent. Just prove that you read carefully and comprehend what was described.)
3. Crooks’ is initially reluctant to allow Lennie into his space. Why does he first want to turn Lennie away, then why does he allow Lennie in, and begin to speak to him?
4. Crooks finally has a chance to speak and be heard when he talks to Lennie, unlike with the other white men who surround him. Please explain what you learn about Crooks based upon his following statements.
A. “[I ain’t wanted] ‘cause I’m black. They play cards in there, but I can’t play because I’m black. They say I stink. Well, I tell you, you all of you stink to me.”
B. “A guy can talk to you an’ be sure you won’t go blabbin’…George knows what he’s about. Jus’ talks, an’ you don’t understand nothing. This is just a nigger talkin’, an’ a busted-back nigger. So it don’t mean nothing, see? You couldn’t remember it anyways.”
C. “S’pose you had to sit out here an’ read books. Sure you could play horseshoes till it got dark, but then you got to read books. Books ain’t no good. A guy needs somebody—to be near him. A guy goes nuts if he ain’t got nobody. Don’t make no difference who the guy is, long’s he’s with you. I tell ya a guy gets too lonely an’ he gets sick.”
5. There is a hierarchy of power at the ranch, and every character has his place on it. Fill out the following ladder, placing each character at the place you think fitting for him/her. Next to each name, please provide an explanation for why you believe that choice to be the correct one.
George Lennie Slim Boss Curley’s wife
Candy Whit Carlson Crooks Curley