Of+Mice+&+Men

__Of Mice & Men__ Study Questions Chapter 1
 * 1) What is the setting of the story?
 * 2) Describe both Lennie and George, the two main characters.
 * 3) Why is George so upset with the driver?
 * 4) What is Lennie hiding in his pocket, and what does that reveal about him?
 * 5) With whom did Lennie live before he started traveling with George?
 * 6) What problem did the men have in Weed?
 * 7) What is George and Lennie’s dream? Be sure to mention Lennie’s job in the dream.
 * 8) What are George’s instructions to Lennie in case there is trouble?

**__ Of Mice & Men __**** Historical Background Research Questions ** 1. What happened in October of 1929, and why was the following decade called “The Great Depression”? 2. What was “The Dust Bowl”? 3. What were the roles of migrant workers, and where were they generally located? 4. How did the economic/political climate affect people’s daily lives? 5. How did other historical events of the early twentieth century influence people in the 1930s?

__Of Mice & Men__ Study Questions Chapter 2
 * 1) Describe the boss’ interaction with Lennie and George. What does the boss think of Lennie?
 * 2) Who is the “stable buck,” and what is his purpose on the ranch?
 * 3) Describe Curley, especially his reputation and his interaction with Lennie.
 * 4) Describe Curley’s wife and her behavior. What is her motivation?
 * 5) Describe Candy, Slim, the dog, and the overall setting of the bunkhouse.
 * 6) Why do characters show surprise or interest when they learn that George and Lennie travel together?

__Of Mice & Men__ Study Questions Chapter 3
 * 1) What does Slim find unusual about Lennie and George’s friendship, and how does George explain it?
 * 2) What incident made George stop playing jokes on Lennie?
 * 3) Why were Lennie and George forced to leave Weed?
 * 4) Why is George annoyed when Lennie brings something into the bunkhouse?
 * 5) Why does everyone complain about Candy’s dog, and what is Carlson’s solution?
 * 6) Why does Crooks not sleep in the bunkhouse with the rest of the men on the ranch?
 * 7) What is Candy’s response when he hears of George and Lennie’s dream for the future?
 * 8) Why does Curley start a fight with Lennie?
 * 9) How does the real end of the fight differ from the cover story the ranch hands agree to spread?

__Of Mice & Men__ Study Questions Chapter 4
 * 1) What are Crooks’ living quarters like?
 * 2) Why does Lennie talk to Crooks, and where is everyone else at that time?
 * 3) What is Crooks’ opinion of George and Lennie’s dream?
 * 4) Why does Curley’s wife come into the barn, and what does she say about her husband?
 * 5) How does Curley’s wife react when Crooks asks her to leave?
 * 6) Why is George so upset with Lennie when he returns?

__Of Mice & Men__ Study Questions Chapter 5
 * 1) What was Lennie doing in the barn, and how does he try to cover up his problem?
 * 2) Who discovers Lennie, and what does he or she say?
 * 3) Explain the accident that then happens.
 * 4) Who discovers the accident, and what is his or her plan?
 * 5) What plan do the ranch hands have?

__Of Mice & Men__ Study Questions Chapter 6
 * 1) Whom is Lennie talking to by the pond before George arrives?
 * 2) What does George do to Lennie and why?
 * 3) From what we learn about her in her discussion with Lennie, how is Curley’s wife like Lennie and George?
 * 4) In many ways, chapter 6 parallels chapter 1. What are three similarities between the two chapters?

__Of Mice & Men__ Discussion Questions 1. What is the setting, and what does it add to the story? 2. What role does each of the following minor characters play: Curley, Slim, Carlson, Candy, Crooks, Curley’s wife? 3. What is foreshadowing, and how did Steinbeck use it in the novella? 4. Explain the significance of the title __Of Mice & Men__. 5. What are the main conflicts in the story, and how are they resolved? 6. Give a rationale for the six divisions made in the story. 7. Who is responsible for Curley’s wife’s death? Be ready to defend your answer. 8. What are the universal themes in __Of Mice & Men__?