Of Mice and Men – John Steinbeck.

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                Luke la Hausse 4alpha 02/06/03

Of Mice and Men – John Steinbeck

Chapter 1 - George and Lennie

The physical descriptions with which we begin, express the difference in intelligence and character. The slackness of Lennie’s gait (walk) arm movements etc. reflects the sloppiness of his mind. The succession of comparisons with animals (bear, horse and paw) shows that he lacks full human intelligence.

In some ways the relationship between George and Lennie is that of a parent child relationship. George looks out for the cleanliness of the water that Lennie drinks, takes care of his work cards. Lennie forgets what he has been told, imitates George and transparently tries to mislead him.

The first significant thing we learn is that Lennie likes cuddly animals like rabbits and mice, he does not no his own strength and is lying about having killed a mouse he was stroking.

Pg. 31 – 35: Notes

Lennie is offered bait in the form of a puppy, but he refuses it and tries to make George guilty, he seems to try and gain an advantage over him. Again George plays the father figure by telling him the story of how they are going to live on a ranch and “live off the fatta the lan”. George tells Lennie how they are going to look after each other and be friends, mutual friends, unlike the “ranch hands” who go from ranch to ranch looking for work.

Lennie by now knows the story that George is telling him and to him, it is like a game. Lennie wants to be secure, so does George, and both want to be different, but they think its unlikely especially George. Lennie, being childish, thinks that this is all good and well and that everything will turn out well for them.

As a last thought before work, George tries Lennie and asks him what he is going to do when he gets in trouble. Surprisingly Lennie remembers that he must come back to the pool and hide in the brush.

New Characters

Candy the Swamper – He is old and resigned to the fact that he is getting on and is tired of life. His shabby dog that cannot feed himself, chew, walk, and be of any use to anyone mirrors this character.

Curley – The son of the ranch owner, Curley is a boxer and is very aggressive and tries to fight with larger opponents due to the fact that he is small. He is “handy” quick handed and a fast and nimble person.

Slim the clever skinner – Slim is a mule-driver who is above the rest of the group. Everyone has admiration for his skill in his job and takes his word as true. Although he is slim and tall, not muscular, his respect among the men is great. Passages such as “moved with a majesty only achieved by royalty and master craftsmen” (p.55).


The Ranch

The ranch is a simple place with stables, bunkhouse and a toilet block. The men work out in the day in the fields and in the evening return to eat, talk and sleep. The “nigger” Crooks lives in the barn where he is the stable buck. He does not sleep with the others and has a crooked back.

Notes: people begin to ask questions of Lennie and George, for it was unusual for 2 men to go around working together. People realise that Lennie doesn’t often talk and when he does he sounds very immature. George is always talking for him, and is very protective of Lennie. As soon as he sees Lennie, Curley tries to confront him and attempts to find some grounds to fight over. This behaviour is constant towards Lennie for Curley wants to fight “big people”.

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Curley’s wife – Curley’s wife has only been married to Curley for 2 weeks, and has already started giving other men, such as Slim “the eye”. 

Chapter 3

The chapter starts with a passage of text describing the early evening as the workers return from the fields. Slim has given Lennie a puppy and he is therefore in the barn looking after it. Slim then knows that something happened in Weed and presses George to tell him what has happened. Slim is calm about it, and tries to win over George’s trust, although George had told Lennie ...

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