Of Mice and Men Chapter 2 Notes, Questions and Activity

Notes for Chapter Two:

The next day George and Lennie arrive at the ranch and go to the bunk house, where they meet most of the other main characters in the story: Candy, an old swamper with only one hand; Curley, the boss's son; the boss, who is suspicious that George will not let Lennie speak up for himself; Curley's beautiful young wife, who flirts with the other men; Slim, the top ranch hand who is respected by all the other hands; and Carlson, another of the established hands. Slim is friendly towards George and Lennie. Slim's bitch dog has recently given birth to pups and Lennie begs George to ask him if he will give one to Lennie as a pet.

Questions:

1. What does the language used by Candy to describe the stable buck tell us about the relationship between blacks and whites? Does this language offer us any clues as to the period in which the novel was set?

2. What words and phrases does Steinbeck use in introducing us to Curley which suggest that he might cause trouble for Lennie?

3. Do you think that the ranch hands find Curley's wife attractive? Does this also include Lennie? Give examples which suggest that she openly flirts with the men.

4. How does Steinbeck's description of Slim suggest that he carries authority amongst the men? What do you think about the language which Steinbeck uses to describe him?

5. What evidence is there to suggest that the social environment in which the story takes place is one of hostility? What effect does this have on itinerant workers like George and Lennie?

Activity:

Imagine that you are the boss who's immediately suspicious of the two new hands - George and Lennie - who have been sent to you by Murray and Ready's. You decide that before you can take them on, you require more information about them. Write a letter to their previous employer at the ranch in Weed asking for a reference for George and Lennie. In the letter you should ask for information on:

1. Why they left.

2. Whether they were good workers.

3. Why George does most of the talking for Lennie.

4. If they are trustworthy and safe to employ.

5. Any other factors which you think are relevant.


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Of Mice and Men Chapter 1 Notes, Questions and Activity

 Notes for Chapter One:

Itinerant workers George Milton and Lennie Small rest in a clearing by the river, on their way to a nearby ranch where they expect to sign on for temporary work. They have hurriedly left the last ranch where they worked, following an incident involving Lennie. Lennie pleads with George to tell him over and over again about their dream ranch, where Lennie's main task will be to tend the rabbits.

Questions:

1. What do Steinbeck's first description of George and Lennie tell us about their characters? Is there anything which he writes about Lennie which leads us to believe that he has the mind of a child?

2. What hints are there in the opening dialogue between George and Lennie to tell us about the nature of their relationships?

3. What is the significance of the dead mouse in terms of what it might tel us about Lennie?

4. George appears to get easily annoyed with Lennie. Do you think that George is being honest when he states that he would be better off without Lennie?

5. Why do you think George asks Lennie to familiarize himself with the location of the clearing where they spend the night?

Activity:

In this chapter we are introduced to the two main characters in the novel, George and Lennie. Steinbeck, however, gives us very little detail on how they come to be together as friends, apart from a couple of references to Lennie's Aunt Clara. Why do you think they are such good friends? Try and imagine what might have happened to them in the past:

1. Write a further five or six paragraphs outlining a conversation in which George and Lennie talk in more detail about their life before the start of the novel.

2. Using the language and accent of the region, tape record the paragraphs with a partner in which one of you takes the part of George, and the other, the part of Lennie

3. Once you feel happy with your tape-recorded version, play it back to the rest of the class and ask for their comments, for example, ask whether it is realistic and fits in with the rest of the story, whether the accents which you and your partner use are effective, and so on.


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