English 210—Literature and World History
Name:
Newton South High
School Mission Statement
Newton South High School, a community of students, parents, faculty, and
staff
John SteinbeckÕs Of
Mice and Men
Reading #1: Part 1 (pgs. 1-16)
1.
On
page 1, what type of animal Òcomes out of the brush to sit on the sand in the
eveningÓ?
2.
Near
the top of page 2, there is a tree limb that has been worn smooth? Why?
3.
What
does the Òsingle fileÓ manner of the men walking say about their relationship?
4.
On
the bottom of page 2, the second man, the huge one (Lennie), is compared to a
bear that Òdrags his paws.Ó Try to find two more animals that he is compared to
in the chapter.
5.
On
page 3, how does Lennie drink the water from the green pool? And George?
6.
On
page 5, Lennie canÕt find his work card, which he will need to show the new
boss. What does George say after
he says, ÒI got both of Ôem hereÓ?
7.
Near
the bottom of page 5, what does Lennie have in his hand that George takes from
him?
8.
What
does George do after ÒLennieÕs closed hand slowly obeyedÓ?
9.
On
page 7, what does George say to Lennie right after he says, ÒGod, youÕre a lot
of troubleÓ?
10. Why does George take the mouse away
from Lennie? On the bottom of page
9, why did LennieÕs Aunt Clara stop giving Lennie mice to pet?
11. On page 11, George is frustrated
with having to live with Lennie and he describes something that happened
recently in the story—ÒJust wanted toÉÓ Why did they have to Òhide in an irrigation ditchÓ?
12. What is the meaning to George and
Lennie of ÒAnÕ live off the fatta
the lanÕÓ which Lennie says on page 14?
What type of animal does Lennie want to tend on their farm?
13. At the bottom of page 15, what does
George tell Lennie to do if he gets Òinto trouble, like you always done
beforeÓ?
English
210—Literature and World History Name:
Newton South High School Mission Statement
Newton South
High School, a community of students, parents, faculty, and staff
John SteinbeckÕs Of
Mice and Men
Reading #2: Part 2 (pgs. 17-37)
1.
The
old man (a swamper, or handyman around the farm) who greets George and Lennie
at the bunkhouse is describe thus:
ÒHe pointed with his right arm, and out of his sleeve came
2.
The
stable buck is the man who takes care of the horses. According to the old man,
how did he (his name is Crooks, we find out later) get a crooked back?
3.
Why
does George answer all the questions directed at Lennie?
4.
What
does the boss mean when he says, ÒSay—what are you sellinÕ?Ó?
5.
What
excuse does George give to the boss for the reason that Lennie is slow of
intelligence?
6.
How
does Curley react to LennieÕsÕ silence when Curley comes into the bunkhouse
looking for his father?
7.
How
do George and Lennie react to CurleyÕs wife? What does ÒsheÕs got the eyeÓ (28) mean?
8.
What
does Carlson want done with CandyÕs dog?
Why?
9.
Who
is Slim? (Find out what a jerkline skinner is.) Based on the narratorÕs description, what first impression
does the author want the reader to get of Slim? What words are used to give this impression?
10. How has Slim responded to his dog
LuluÕs litter of puppies?
11. Whom is George talking about when
he says, ÒIÕm scared IÕm gonna tangle with that bastard myself. I hate his gutsÓ?
English
210—Literature and World History Name:
Newton South High School Mission Statement
Newton South
High School, a community of students, parents, faculty, and staff
John SteinbeckÕs Of
Mice and Men
Reading #3: Part 3 (pgs. 38-65)
1.
What
kind act, which opens the chapter, does Slim do for Lennie?
2.
Briefly
retell GeorgeÕs account (to Slim) of the last time he was mean to Lennie.
3.
Why
do you think George tells Slim about his relationship with Lennie and what
happened in Weed?
4.
From
CarlsonÕs point of view, list several words that describe CandyÕs dog.
5.
Describe
CarlsonÕs role in the significant section dealing with CandyÕs dog.
6.
Who
is William Tenner? What is the
purpose of the short section of the chapter where William Tenner is described?
Why do you think the author included this section at all? Another way to think
of this question is ÒHow does this section help tell the bigger story of Lennie
and George?Ó.
7.
Describe
the significance of these two sentences: ÒCandy looked a long time at
Slim to try to find some reversal. And Slim gave him noneÓ (47).
8.
What
does Candy offer Lennie and George so he can share their plan to own their own
place?
9.
What
does Candy tell George on page 61 about how he should have dealt with his dog?
10.Why does Curley attack
Lennie? How does Lennie finally stop Curley from hitting him?
English
210—Literature and World History Name:
Newton South High School Mission Statement
Newton South
High School, a community of students, parents, faculty, and staff
John SteinbeckÕs Of
Mice and Men
Reading #4: Part 4 (pgs. 66-83)
1.
What
does the description of Crooks and his room tell the reader about him? (What
kind of person is he?)
2.
What
are some adjectives youÕd use to describe him?
3.
What
does Crooks ÒSÕposeÓ (71) Lennie think about that upsets Lennie very much?
4.
On
the top of page 72, what does Crooks say will happen to Lennie if George leaves
him? (What is a Òbooby hatchÓ and how will they tie Lennie up?)
5.
Describe
how Crooks responds to LennieÕs dream (and the dream of hundreds of others who
have passed through) of ÒlivinÕ off the fatta the lanÕÓ?
6.
Explain
CurleyÕs wifeÕs comment on page 77, ÒThey left all the weak ones here.Ó What do you think she means?
7.
What
does CurleyÕs wife say she could have done differently with her
life—instead of being stuck on the ranch with Curley?
8.
How
does CurleyÕs wife threaten Crooks when he tells her to leave his room? What does she mean on the bottom of
page 80 by, ÒYou know what I could do to you?Ó?
9.
Why does Crooks say,
ÒWell, jusÕ forget it,Ó at the end of the chapter? What is he talking about? Why do you think he changes his position?
English
210—Literature and World History Name:
Newton South High School Mission Statement
Newton South
High School, a community of students, parents, faculty, and staff
John SteinbeckÕs Of
Mice and Men
Reading #5: Parts 5 and 6 (pgs. 84-107)
1.
Who
is Lennie speaking ÒsoftlyÓ to near the opening of the chapter? What seems to have happened?
2.
How
does CurleyÕs wife react when Lennie does not want to talk with her? What does she say to him?
3.
What
does she ask Lennie to do when he says he likes to pet soft things? Describe the details of LennieÕs
response.
4.
On
page 92, when Lennie says, ÒIÕll throw him awayÉItÕs bad enough as it is,Ó what
is he referring to and what does this tell the reader about LennieÕs level of
understanding of the situation?
(What can you infer about LennieÕs understanding?)
5.
Whom
does Candy blame for the unexpected turn of events?
6.
Why
does George tell Candy heÕll leave and then return to the barn with the others?
7.
Where
does George tell the others Lennie would have run to?
8.
What
is CurleyÕs plan for Lennie? What
doe Slim and George hope to do?
9.
Who
does Carlson think has stolen his Luger (pistol)?
Part 6
(pgs. 98-107)
10.
Where
does Lennie hide? When do you
remember this place while reading the novel?
11. Lennie has an unusual
hallucination. Describe it.
12. How do the characters in LennieÕs
dream treat him? What does Aunt
Clara say to Lennie about how he treats George?
13.
Briefly describe the
novelÕs climactic event.