Of Mice and Men: Summary and Discussion Questions, Study notes of English Literature

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Of  Mice  and  Men     Summary  Notes       Section  1:         Discussion  questions:         Why  do  you  think  George  often  gets   angry  with  Lennie?    Give  specific   examples  of  things  Lennie  does  which   irritates  George?     What  does  the  dead  mouse  in  Lennie’s   jacket  pocket  reveal  about  Lennie?     (physically)     Is  Lennie  capable  of  manipulating   George?       Summary:    The  novel  opens  near  the   Salinas  River.    George  Milton  and   Lennie  Small  rest  after  a  hard,  hot   walk.    They  are  migrant  workers   traveling  to  their  next  job.    George,  the   smaller  of  the  two,  leads  the  way.       Lennie’s  handicap  is  evident  in  his   animal  movements  and  childish  ways.     He  slurps  the  water  like  a  horse  and   repeatedly  forgets  where  they  are   going  and  why.    They  set  up  camp  for   the  night.    In  a  bit  of  foreshadowing,   George  makes  Lennie  promise  to   return  to  here  if  he  gets  in  any  kind  of   trouble.       George  is  tired  and  expresses  his   frustration  about  the  burden  of   Lennie.    He  is  quickly  sorry  for  his   words.    Lennie  offers  to  leave  George.     To  pacify  Lennie,  George  tells  him  the   tells  Lennie  and  George  that  Curly  is   recently  married  to  a  woman  who   gives  other  men  “the  eye”.  He  warns   them  to  stay  away  from  Curly  because   he  likes  to  pick  a  fight  with  big  guys.       He  seems  to  immediately  want  to  pick   a  fight  with  Lennie  which  concerns   George.       Curly’s  wife  comes  into  the  bunkhouse   and  her  flirtatious  nature  is  instantly   apparent.  Lennie  is  fascinated  by  her.     George  reminds  Lennie  where  to  go  if   he  gets  in  trouble.       Slim,  “The  Prince  of  the  Ranch,”    is   introduced.    He  handsome,  ageless  and   respected  by  the  men.       When  Slim  says,  “That  dog  ain’t  no   good  to  himself.    I  wisht  somebody’d   shoot  me  if  I  got  old  an’  a  cripple,”  how   can  you  relate  this  to  the  characters  in   the  book?       Section  3     Discussion  questions:     Why  does  George  thank  Slim  at  the   beginning  of  the  third  section  of  the   novel?       How  does  Lennie’s  bringing  the  puppy   into  the  bunkhouse  underscore  what   has  been  established  about  him?         Summary:   George  and  Lennie  settle  in  quickly  at   the  ranch.     Slim  questions  George  about  why  he   travels  with  Lennie.  George  tells  Slim   the  truth,  showing  his  trust  in  Slim.   George  tells  the  story  of  how  everyone   including  him  used  to  tease  Lennie.     After  almost  drowning  George  one   day,  George  realizes  his  power  over   Lennie  and  deciedes  to  use  it  to   protect  him  instead  of  hurt  him.  He   also  admits  to  Slim  about  their  last  job   in  Weed.         Slim  sees  Lennies  fascination  with   animals  and  offers  him  one  of  his  pups.     Lennie  begins  spending  all  his  time  in   the  barn  with  his  pups.    He  has  to   reminded  they  are  still  too  little  to  be   handled  so  much.       George,  Lennie,  and  Candy  make  a   plan  to  buy  a  place  together.  They  will   plan  for  the  farm.    Crooks  asks  to  work   for  nothing,  just  his  keep.         Curly’s  wife  interrupts,  looking  for  her   husband.  She  knows  were  he  is,  but   she  is  looking  for  attention.    She  lets   them  know  that  she  knows  Curly’s   hand  didn’t  get  caught  in  machine.  She   makes  fun  of  them  and  their  dream   and  reminds  Crooks  that  he  could  be   hurt  for  just  talking  to  her.  These   threats  still  Crook’s  joy  of  the  dream,   and  he  withdraws,  knowing  a  a  black   man  could  not  have  this  dream.     George  returns  and  is  upset  to  find  out   that  Candy  and  Lennie  have  been   sharing  information  with  Crooks.         Section  5:   It  is  Sunday  afternoon  and  the  men  are   playing  horseshoes.    Lennie  is  alone  in   the  barn,  talking  to  his  dead  pup.    He   has  been  to  rough  with  it,  and  now  he   is  worried  George  will  not  let  him  tend   the  rabbits.    Curly’s  wife  comes  into   the  barn.    She  finds  a  captive  audience   in  Lennie.  She  talks  and  talks  about   what  she  should  have  been.    She  talks   about  her  missed  opportunities  and   talent.    She  wants  to  be  in  movies.       Lennie  keeps  talking  about  the  rabbits.   She  asks  him  why  he  likes  them  so   much,  and  he  explains  he  likes  to   touch  soft  things.  She  lets  him  touch   her  hair,  but  when  he  gets  to  rough,   she  demands  he  stops.    He  gets  scared,   holds  on  too  tightly  and  accidentally   breaks  her  neck.    He  leaves  for  the   clearing.     Candy  finds  her  body  and  gets  George.   The  men  arrange  a  search  party  for   Lennie.    Curly  plans  shoot  him  or  lynch   him.    George  plans  to  find  him  first.   Candy  lies  down  in  the  hay,  covering   his  face  because  he  knows  the  dream   is  over.         Section  6:   The  story  ends  with  some  of  the  same   imagery  it  began.    It  is  back  at  the  pool   where  George  and  Lennie  rested   before  going  to  ranch.    Lennie  is  hiding   in  the  brush  beside  the  stream.    He   sees  visions  of  the  people  he  has  let   down.  He  sees  Aunt  Clara  and  a  giant   Rabbit.    Lennie  thinks  about  how   George  would  be  better  off  without   him.