Filed under: Disabilities
Lennie certainly has a mental disability, but he’s physically able. Think about people you have seen with disabilites. How do people treat them? How should people treat them?
Describe the atmosphere of the ranch and bunkhouse. Be sure to include characteristics of different characters that were formally or informally introduced to us in this chapter and how they influence the general atmopshere at the bunkhouse.
Why was the boss angry with George and Lennie? Do you think he had a right to be upset?
We’ve seen her in the doorway of the bunkhouse. What do we know of her character so far? Why do you think she comes to the bunkhouse?
What animals have been mentioned in the book thus far, and how are they regarded? Are they respected? Explain your answers.
We meet the boss of the ranch in chapter 2. He is indirectly characterized by Candy and the narrator. How?
Candy, one of the ranch hands, is introduced in chapter 2. What do we know about his personality and appearance?
At the beginning of chapter 2, the bunkhouse is described in great detail. What do you remember about it? Does it sound like a good place to be? Why or why not?
Filed under: Chapter 1
Here’s a great place for us to combine what was most memorable about Chapter 1. What part of the chapter stood out to you the most? Why?
We now that we’ve thought about what Lennie and George want more than anything, let’s take a second to share what some of our goals are in life.
“Dreams can inspire us and give us hope for a better tomorrow even if they seem impossible to achieve.”
How does this quote apply to what we know of George and Lennie so far?
Filed under: Lennie
What might Lennie be a symbol for in the greater world? What qualities does he represent?
Filed under: Chapter 2
How do you think George and Lennie will do during their interview for the ranch job? What challenges might they run into and how might they handle these obstacles?
Filed under: Chapter 1
How would the story change if George and Lennie were girls instead? As you think about this question, view the video below. Respond by commenting once you’ve watched the class project for Chapter 1.
Filed under: Language
What do you think of the language in Of Mice and Men? Do you see a purpose for the vulgarity? Would the characters’ personalities be different if they did not use that language, and if so, how?
At this point, you should understand that Lennie is mentally handicap and George has assumed responsibility for caring for him. Imagine how difficult it would be to care for a disabled person if you were forced to keep moving from place to place in order to live. We’ve role-played this situation. Comment on your experiences there and how they connect to Lennie and George.
Why is their relationship worthwhile to each man?
The last farm George and Lennie worked at was located north of the Salinas Valley in Weed, California. In chapter 1, we find out why they left that ranch.
- What happened?
- What does this tell us about Lennie’s character?
- What was your reaction to this incident?
