Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
Chapter One
1. Steinbeck introduces the two main characters. How are the men both alike and different?
2. How does Steinbeck convey Lennie’s animal-like qualities?
3. Why does Steinbeck describe the actions of Lennie’s hands?
4. Explain the connection between Lennie’s mouse and what happened in weed.
5. Describe George’s dreams in this section.
6. What suggests that the dream of the farm is unrealistic?
7. Why do the men need a work card from an employment agency?
8. Why doesn’t George want Lennie to say anything to the boss?
9. Why does Lennie retrieve the mouse, and how does George know that’s what he did?
10. What is George feeling when he explodes at Lennie, and how does he fell when his anger passes?
11. Why does Lennie offer to leave?
12. Why does George suggest getting a pup?
13. Why does George tell Lennie to hide by the river in case he gets into trouble?
14. Give some examples of foreshadowing in this chapter.
Chapter Two
15. Most of the opening paragraphs of this section consist of a realistic description of the bunkhouse. What details suggest that the ranch hands have a “romantic” side?
16. How does the account of Whitey’s quitting contribute to the book’s mood of alienation?
17. Why is the stable buck set apart from the other men?
18. Why is the boss angry with George and Lennie?
19. What explanation is given for Lennie’s mental condition and is it accurate?
20. Why do high-heel boots and spurs show that the boss is not a laborer?
21. Why does the boss write down in his time book that George and Lennie don’t go out with the team that morning?
22. Why does the boss turn and look at George and Lennie before he goes out the door?
23. Why does Curley challenge George and Lennie?
24. What is Candy’s attitude toward Curley?
25. What is Candy’s opinion of Curley’s wife? Does it seem justified?
26. Why is George worried about Curley?
27. What does George tell Lennie to do if Curley hits him?
28. Why is Lennie “fascinated” but frightened by Curley’s wife?
29. What is George’s reaction to her?
30. What qualities does the description of Slim suggest?
31. Why does Slim drown four of the new puppies?
32. What is the significance of Slim and Carlson’s remarks about the dogs?
33. Why does George agree to ask Slim for one of the puppies/
34. What characters’ names from this section have symbolic importance?
35. Give some examples of foreshadowing in this chapter.
36. How does Steinbeck indicate the passing of time in this chapter?
Chapter Three
37. What does George’s conversation with Slim reveal about his past treatment of Lennie?
38. Why does George trust Slim?
39. Why does Slim wonder why George and Lennie stick together?
40. What is George’s analysis of Lennie’s attack on the girl in Weed? Does it seem probable?
41. Why does Lennie bring the pup into the bunk house?
42. Why does Carlson keep pressing Candy to shoot the dog?
43. How does their conversation touch on the central issues of the novel?
44. Why does George decline Whit’s invitation to visit the brothel?
45. Detail George’s description of his and Lennie’s “dream.” Is this a realistic dream?
46. Why does Candy ask to be included in George and Lennie’s dream, and why does George agree?
47. What comparisons does Candy make between his own condition and his dog’s?
48. Why does Curley start a fight with Lennie?
49. What does Lennie’s fight with Curley show the ranch hands?
50. What does the description of this fight suggest about the nature of violence?
51. Give some examples of foreshadowing in this chapter.
Chapter Four
52. What does the description of Crooks’ room reveal about its occupant?
53. Why is Crooks’ name appropriate?
54. Why does Crooks allow Lennie to enter his room?
55. How do Crooks’ words to Lennie about loneliness reinforce this theme of the novel?
56. What does Crooks like about talking to Lennie?
57. Why doesn’t Crooks’ father like his playing with the white children?
58. Crooks says, “I ain’t a southern negro.” Why is this significant?
59. Why is Crooks deliberately trying to scare Lennie, and why does he start backing away?
60. What does Crooks think of Slim and why?
61. Why is Candy reluctant to enter Crooks’ room, and why does Crooks invite him in anyway?
62. Why is Crooks suddenly interested in joining them?
63. How does the behavior of Curley’s wife seem deliberately designed to provoke the men?
64. What motives does Steinbeck suggest for her behavior?
65. How is her nature as a destructive character most clearly revealed?
66. Why does Candy stand up to her, and what is the tone behind his words?
67. Why does Curley’s wife say, “I like machines”?
68. Why does Crooks stand up to her, and what response does he get?
69. In what ways does Crooks retreat before her attack?
70. Why is George displeased that Lennie is in Crooks’ room?
71. Give some examples of foreshadowing in this chapter.
Chapter Five
72. How is Lennie’s treatment of his dead puppy typical of his character?
73. Why does Curley’s wife stay to talk to Lennie?
74. In what ways is Curley’s wife also a dreamer? Is her dream any more realistic than George and Lennie’s?
75. Where does she meet Curley and why does she marry him?
76. How does she entice Lennie into touching her?
77. What is the nature of his attack?
78. How does Lennie react to what he has done?
79. How does George’s reaction to the murder relate to his belief in the dream?
80. What is most important in Candy’s mind?
81. What decision does George make about Lennie when he says, “I ain’t gonna let ‘em hurt Lennie”?
82. How does Slim help George in this scene?
83. Compare the reactions of Curley and Slim.
84. Why is Curley suspicious of George?
Chapter Six
85. Describe Lennie’s state of mind as he goes to hide in the brush.
86. What is the heron doing in this description, and why is it significant?
87. What is the significance of how Lennie is sitting?
88. The description of Lennie’s death recalls another event in the novel. What is it?
89. What does the parallel reveal about George’s motives?
90. What is ironic about George’s decision to end Lennie’s life by the river?
91. Explain George’s last remarks to Lennie.
92. Why does George lie about the gun?
93. Why does Slim treat George as he does?
94. Explain the significance of the last line in the novel.