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Of Mice and Men Study Guide #1

DUE ___________________________

Chapter 1 through Chapter ending with paragraph starting “After a moment the ancient dog walked lamely in through the open door.”

Use separate paper so you have room to develop.

1. An absolutely essential motif in this story is rabbits. Explain the various ways rabbits are mentioned or used in this section of the novel.

2. Compare AND contrast Lennie and George. Include physical, mental and emotional traits.

3. Steinbeck makes the reader “piece together” what took place before we meet the characters in this novel. Based on the context clues, what evidently took place previous to our meeting Lennie and George?

4. What does George stress to Lennie to do if and when he [Lennie} gets in trouble? What might this foreshadow?

5. What problem does Lennie seem to have with small, weak creatures? What do we learn about Lennie’s personality through is interaction with little creatures? What might this all foreshadow?

6. George is quite ambivalent [look it up] about traveling around with Lennie. Explain how Steinbeck makes this fact clear.

7. Characters are gradually introduced throughout this section. Describe what you have found out about Candy, the “old swamper.” Based on context, what is a “swamper?”

8. Describe what you have found out about “the stable buck.” Keep in mind he is introduced to you obliquely – you must based on various hints.

9. Describe what you have found out about “the boss.”

10. Essential motif– central to the allegory of the story – the swamper’s old dog. What, basically, was the dog’s problem? How did the men react to the dog? Based on context clues, what is being foreshadowed in this section?

11. Describe what you have found out about Curly, the boss’s son. Again, what is being foreshadowed in this section?

12. What does George mean when he comments, “Lennie’s strong and quick and Lennie don’t know no rules”

13. Describe Curly’s wife. Again, what situation is being foreshadowed? [Consider your answer to question #5.]

14. Describe the character “Slim, the jerkline skinner.” In what way is he different from all the characters so far? How is he a counterpart or reflection of the character Ames in Sister Carrie?

15. Lennie says, “It’s mean here.” What leads him to intuitively know that? What does he want George to do?