Of Mice and Men Questions– Chapter One –Record answers for the following questions in your exercise book.Unless otherwise directed, youshould answer in full sentences.1. The Salinas Valley was an area that Steinbeck knew extremely well. In the opening two paragraphs,he draws upon this knowledge to describe the natural world. Find quotations from this section thatdescribe each of the following:a) The river.b) The trees.c) The mountains.2. From the third paragraph onwards, Steinbeck begins describing the characters of Lennie andGeorge for the first time. He takes great care in describing them, and provides the reader with a verystrong image of them from the outset of the novel.a) Find at least three quotes that help describe Lenny.b) Write down three more dot points, identifying what key information we learn about Lennie.c) Find at least three quotes that help describe George.d) Write down three more dot points, identifying what key information we learn about George.3. On the second and third page, Steinbeck uses animal imagery to describe Lennie’s characteristics.a) Find and write out two such quotes.b) Why do you think Steinbeck describes Lennie in this way?c) What happened to George and Lennie that meant they had to leave Weed?d) Why do you think Lennie likes hearing the story about the ranch so much?4. George and Lennie have a very unique and strong relationship, which is introduced andemphasised in the first chapter. Reread the conversation between George and Lennie, and answerthe following questions:a)Find two examples of Lennie acting like a child.b)Why does Lennie like the mouse?c)Why is George worried about Lennie?d)Why do you think George stays with Lennie? Of Mice and Men Questions5. One of the major themes of the book is ‘The American Dream’ – the hope of creating a better life.Look at the description of Lennie and George’s dream to own a farm. How does this story relate to‘The American Dream’?– Chapter Two –1. Reread the first paragraph. Steinbeck sets the scene by providing a detailed description of thebunkhouse before the characters arrive.a) What details of the bunkhouse are emphasised?b) Why do you think he provides this detailed description?2. We meet several important characters in this chapter, including the boss, Curley, Curley’s Wife andSlim. For each of these three characters, write down at least three dot points on the following:a) Their appearance.b) Their personality.c) One useful quotation relating to that character.3. Why do you think George lies to the Boss about his relationship with Lennie?4. Look closely at the conversation between Slim and George. What sort of man does Slim seem tobe?5. During this chapter, Steinbeck drops hints about what might happen later in the novel. This iscalled ‘foreshadowing’. Find the quotations below and write down what events you think they couldbe foreshadowing:a) “You keep away from Curley, Lennie.” (George)b) “Why’n’t you get Candy to shoot his old dog…” (Carlson) Upload your study docs or become a Course Hero member to access this document Upload your study docs or become a Course Hero member to access this document End of preview. Want to read all 8 pages? Upload your study docs or become a Course Hero member to access this document
He moved with a majesty only achieved by royalty and master craftsman. He was a jerkline skinner, the prince of the ranch, capable of driving ten, sixteen, even twenty mules with a single line to the leaders. He was capable of killing a fly on the wheeler’s butt with a bull whip without touching the mule. There was a gravity in his manner and a quiet so profound that all talk stopped when he spoke, His authority was so great that his word was taken on any subject, be it politics or love. This was Slim, the jerkline skinner. – John Steinbeck Of Mice and Men, Chapter 2. Slim, in his first real appearance to George and Lennie, is described as a man of authority, and having inherent dignity and majesty to him.
– John Steinbeck Of Mice and Men, Chapter 3. George is talking to Slim about Lennie’s trouble in Weed, where the townspeople wanted to lynch him after he touched girl’s dress and she thought he was trying to rape her.
(Click the character infographic to download.) Slim is the "prince of the ranch." He's the consummate Western man: masterful, strong, fair-minded, practical, non-talkative, and exceptionally good at what he does. He is a god among men, and his word on any subject is law. Do you want it in Steinbeck's own words? …he moved with a majesty only achieved by royalty and master craftsman. He was a jerkline skinner, the prince of the ranch, capable of driving ten, sixteen, even twenty mules with a single line to the leaders. He was capable of killing a fly on the wheeler's butt with a bull whip without touching the mule. There was a gravity in his manner and a quiet so profound that all talk stopped when he spoke, His authority was so great that his word was taken on any subject, be it politics or love. This was Slim, the jerkline skinner. (2.170) Simmer down, Steinbeck. We're pretty sure the feeling isn't mutual. Naughty or Nice?Slim's "authority" means that he gets to decide who deserves justice, and who deserves a little leniency. He's good at reading character, saying "I can tell a mean guy from a mile off" (3.28)—and, unlike some other people in the novel, he's not saying that out of ego. It's just true. When Slim does lie, he lies for the good of the group or to protect the weak. After Lennie crushes Curley's hand, Slim tells Curley what to do: "I think you got your han' caught in a machine. If you don't tell nobody what happened, we ain't going to. But you jus' tell an' try to get this guy canned and we'll tell ever'body, an' then will you get the laugh" (3.259-260). This is the kind of lie where you tell your friend that you like her new haircut because you don't want to hurt her feelings: the damage has been done, and now you just have to try to smooth it over until the bangs grow back. As unofficial judge and jury of the ranch, Slim gets to decide who's in the right (Lennie) and what the punishment is (not being able to retaliate). Manly ManIn the end, Slim is the only one who understand what George has done—and why. As the novel's moral center (and possible author avatar), he okays the mercy killing: Never you mind," he says to George: "A guy got to sometimes" (6.96). According to Slim's Man Code, if someone has to die, it's better to do it yourself. You can't let a stranger kill your friends. If that's not love, we don't know what is. |