Of Mice and Men

Of Mice and Men- John Steinbeck Study Guide Questions 1. Although George and Lennie have been travelling together for a long time, their friendship can be quite strained and weak at times. Due to Lennie’s childish nature and forgetful memory, George is often frustrated and rages on about how his life could’ve been without Lennie. “God a’mighty, if I was alone I could live so easy. I could go get a job an’ work… get a gallon of whisky, or set in a pool room and play cards or shoot pool.” (pg. 13) However, they still care for each other and due to their sensitivity of each other’s feelings a mutual relationship of empathy and support is developed, therefore mending their friendship. 2. George- strong body build, small, good thinker, agile, restless, easily provoked
Lennie- big, childish nature, characteristics of an animal, physically strong, doesn’t want to get into trouble
Candy- old, only has one hand
Curley- small, strong build, aggressive, boastful, ignorant, keeps his hand in Vaseline
Crooks- Negro stable buck, crooked back, unaccepted by society around him
Curley’s wife- pretty, very lonely, ignored by ranch workers, doesn’t like Curley 3. George symbolises care and strength, as he is shown to be very compassionate and dependable whilst Lennie the polar opposite; defenceless and dependant on George and relies on him to get Lennie away from harm. “You get in trouble. You get in trouble and I got to get you out.” (pg. 13) Candy symbolises loneliness after his dog, his sole companion got shot due to its old age. The dog itself represented the elderly and death, and foreshadowed later events in the novel. Curley’s wife symbolises lost dreams while Crooks represents people without freedom and isolated from other communities. 4. Steinbeck decided to add this scene to make us consider what we would do if a person could no longer contribute to society and no longer have meaning in their life. 5. Candy’s old dog symbolises the elderly and