Question

short answer study guide questions - of mice and men
chapter 1

1. identify and give a physical description of lennie and george.
2. what is georges first complaint to lennie?
3. what trouble did george and lennie have in weed?
4. what is in lennies pocket? why does he have it?
5. george bursts into a long speech about what he could do if he were alone. what could he do?
6. lennie offers to go away and live in a cave. what is georges response?
7. why are george and lennie different from the other \guys like us that work on ranches\?
8. what are george and lennie going to do someday?
9. what two things does george want lennie to remember?
10. why did george want to camp overnight instead of going another quarter of a mile to the ranch?

Explanation:

To answer these study guide questions about Of Mice and Men, we analyze each one based on the text of Chapter 1:

Question 1: Identify and give a physical description of Lennie and George.

• Lennie: A large, powerfully built man with a shapeless face, wide sloping shoulders, and a “dragfooted” walk. He has a childlike, innocent demeanor and is often compared to an animal (e.g., a bear) in his movements.
• George: Smaller in stature, with sharp features (a thin face, restless eyes, and strong, defined arms). He moves with quickness and intelligence, contrasting Lennie’s bulk and slowness.

Question 2: What is George’s first complaint to Lennie?

George complains that Lennie has been drinking stagnant water from a pool, fearing it will make him sick. He scolds Lennie for not thinking about the water’s safety.

Question 3: What trouble did George and Lennie have in Weed?

Lennie, drawn to a woman’s soft dress, touched it (wanting to feel its texture). The woman panicked and accused him of assault, leading to a mob chasing them out of town. George and Lennie had to flee to avoid being lynched.

Question 4: What is in Lennie’s pocket? Why does he have it?

Lennie has a dead mouse in his pocket. He likes to pet soft things (the mouse’s fur) and keeps it as a comfort object, though George later insists he throw it away (since it is dead and unhygienic).

Question 5: George bursts into a long speech about what he could do if he were alone. What could he do?

George imagines a life without Lennie: he could work a job, save money, go to town, drink, gamble, and live freely without worrying about Lennie’s mistakes or needing to protect him. He emphasizes the independence and “ease” of such a life.

Question 6: Lennie offers to go away and live in a cave. What is George’s response?

George feels guilty for his harsh words and reassures Lennie he doesn’t want him to leave. He explains that he needs Lennie and that they “gotta stick together.” He apologizes and reaffirms their bond.

Question 7: Why are George and Lennie different from the other “guys like us that work on ranches”?

Most ranch workers are lonely, transient, and isolated. George and Lennie have a deep friendship and a shared dream (of owning a farm). They rely on each other for companionship and support, unlike the other workers who have no one.

Question 8: What are George and Lennie going to do someday?

They plan to save money to buy a small farm (or “piece of land”) where they can grow crops, raise livestock (especially rabbits for Lennie), and live “off the fatta the lan’”—being their own bosses and free from ranch life.

Question 9: What two things does George want Lennie to remember?

1. If Lennie gets into trouble, he should return to the spot where they are camping that night (by the river) and hide in the brush until George finds him.
2. At the ranch, Lennie must stay away from Curley (the boss’s son) and not fight back, even if Curley provokes him (though George later revises this to “fight back” if Curley attacks).

Question 10: Why did George want to camp overnight instead of going another quarter of a mile to the ranch?

George wants to rest and prepare mentally for the ranch. He also wants to delay their arrival to avoid immediate scrutiny from the boss or other workers. Additionally, the peaceful riverbank is a moment of calm before the challenges of ranch life begin.

These answers align with the plot, characters, and themes of Of Mice and Men’s opening chapter.

Answer:

To answer these study guide questions about Of Mice and Men, we analyze each one based on the text of Chapter 1:

Question 1: Identify and give a physical description of Lennie and George.

• Lennie: A large, powerfully built man with a shapeless face, wide sloping shoulders, and a “dragfooted” walk. He has a childlike, innocent demeanor and is often compared to an animal (e.g., a bear) in his movements.
• George: Smaller in stature, with sharp features (a thin face, restless eyes, and strong, defined arms). He moves with quickness and intelligence, contrasting Lennie’s bulk and slowness.

Question 2: What is George’s first complaint to Lennie?

George complains that Lennie has been drinking stagnant water from a pool, fearing it will make him sick. He scolds Lennie for not thinking about the water’s safety.

Question 3: What trouble did George and Lennie have in Weed?

Lennie, drawn to a woman’s soft dress, touched it (wanting to feel its texture). The woman panicked and accused him of assault, leading to a mob chasing them out of town. George and Lennie had to flee to avoid being lynched.

Question 4: What is in Lennie’s pocket? Why does he have it?

Lennie has a dead mouse in his pocket. He likes to pet soft things (the mouse’s fur) and keeps it as a comfort object, though George later insists he throw it away (since it is dead and unhygienic).

Question 5: George bursts into a long speech about what he could do if he were alone. What could he do?

George imagines a life without Lennie: he could work a job, save money, go to town, drink, gamble, and live freely without worrying about Lennie’s mistakes or needing to protect him. He emphasizes the independence and “ease” of such a life.

Question 6: Lennie offers to go away and live in a cave. What is George’s response?

George feels guilty for his harsh words and reassures Lennie he doesn’t want him to leave. He explains that he needs Lennie and that they “gotta stick together.” He apologizes and reaffirms their bond.

Question 7: Why are George and Lennie different from the other “guys like us that work on ranches”?

Most ranch workers are lonely, transient, and isolated. George and Lennie have a deep friendship and a shared dream (of owning a farm). They rely on each other for companionship and support, unlike the other workers who have no one.

Question 8: What are George and Lennie going to do someday?

They plan to save money to buy a small farm (or “piece of land”) where they can grow crops, raise livestock (especially rabbits for Lennie), and live “off the fatta the lan’”—being their own bosses and free from ranch life.

Question 9: What two things does George want Lennie to remember?

1. If Lennie gets into trouble, he should return to the spot where they are camping that night (by the river) and hide in the brush until George finds him.
2. At the ranch, Lennie must stay away from Curley (the boss’s son) and not fight back, even if Curley provokes him (though George later revises this to “fight back” if Curley attacks).

Question 10: Why did George want to camp overnight instead of going another quarter of a mile to the ranch?

George wants to rest and prepare mentally for the ranch. He also wants to delay their arrival to avoid immediate scrutiny from the boss or other workers. Additionally, the peaceful riverbank is a moment of calm before the challenges of ranch life begin.

These answers align with the plot, characters, and themes of Of Mice and Men’s opening chapter.