English 11 Name ______

Of Mice and Men – John Steinbeck

Section 5 – pages 84-98 Discussion / Study Questions

1. Despite the descriptive setting of the barn and the quiet Sunday afternoon, this chapter begins with an accident. Explain what happened and why Lennie is worried. (page 85)

2. Describe Lennie’s irrational anger when he does not understand about what has happened. (page 85)

3. – 5. Who joins Lennie in the barn? Why? How does Lennie react? (pages 86 – 87)

6. How is the conversation with Curley’s wife similar to the conversation between Lennie and Crooks? (pages 86- 90)

7. How does Curley’s wife reveal that she is not as contemptible as she seems?(page 87)

8. Why does Curley’s wife get angry with Lennie? (pages 87-88)

9. – 10. Throughout the novel, Steinbeck focuses on George and Lennie’s dream. What does the reader learn about Curley’s wife’s dream? How does her dream influence her life? (page 89)

11. How does Curley’s wife feel about him? (page 89)

12. How does the reader know that Curley’s wife does not understand Lennie’s mental challenges? (pages 89 -90)

13. Why does Lennie panic, and what happens as a result of his panic? How is this situation similar to other events in the story? (pages 91-93)

14. Explain the following image from the novel: “And the meanness and the planning and the discontent and the ache for attention were all gone from her face. She was very pretty and simple, and her face was sweet and young.” (pages 92-93)

15. When Steinbeck describes the moments after Curley’s wife’s death, he uses personification. Cite an example and explain the impact of its use in this chapter. (page 93)

16. – 17. Who discovers Curley’s wife’s body? What is the reaction? (pages 93 -94)

18. – 19. What decision does George make about the girl’s death? What does Candy want to do and why? (pages 94-95)

20. What has happened to the dream for George, Lennie and Candy? (pages 94-96)

21. – 22. What does Candy say to Curley’s wife’s lifeless body? Do you really think it is her fault? Explain your answer. (pages 95-96)

23. How does George keep the men from finding Lennie right away? How do we know that his is not where Lennie would have gone? (page 97)

24. – 25. Where do the men suppose happened to Carlson’s gun? Why is this hard to believe? (page 98)

26. George says that Lennie “never does nothing in meanness.” Is this true? Can murder be an innocent act? Explain! (page 95)