1. Of Mice andOf Mice and
MenMen
RevisionRevision

2. LennieLennie
Suitable Incidents:Suitable Incidents:
► When we first meet him. Chap 1When we first meet him. Chap 1
► How he reacts to the story of theHow he reacts to the story of the
dream ranch. 60-63dream ranch. 60-63
► Fight with Curley. 66-69Fight with Curley. 66-69
► Conversation with Crooks. 72-8Conversation with Crooks. 72-8
► Dead puppy and killing of Curley’sDead puppy and killing of Curley’s
wife. 89-97wife. 89-97
► His own death. Chap 6His own death. Chap 6

3. LennieLennie
► Huge man, who walks heavily.Huge man, who walks heavily.
(Chap1)(Chap1)
► Often described like an animal:Often described like an animal:
walks like a bear, drinks like awalks like a bear, drinks like a
horse, has ‘paws’.horse, has ‘paws’.
► Cunning, like an animal, and usesCunning, like an animal, and uses
this to get around George and tothis to get around George and to
get his sympathy.get his sympathy.
► Has no memory. Example?Has no memory. Example?
► Gets into trouble and loses jobs.Gets into trouble and loses jobs.

4. LennieLennie
► Like a small child who needs theLike a small child who needs the
comfort of stroking furry things likecomfort of stroking furry things like
mice.mice.
► That got him in trouble in Weed.That got him in trouble in Weed.
► Believes in the ‘dream ranch’ andBelieves in the ‘dream ranch’ and
looks forward to tending the rabbits.looks forward to tending the rabbits.
► Attracted to girls in bright colour – likeAttracted to girls in bright colour – like
Curley’s Wife and the girl in Weed.Curley’s Wife and the girl in Weed.
► Not to be trusted on his own.Not to be trusted on his own.
► George gives him somewhere to hideGeorge gives him somewhere to hide
when he gets in trouble.when he gets in trouble.

5. Lennie: Signs ofLennie: Signs of
TroubleTrouble
► Has been involved in a seriousHas been involved in a serious
incident in Weed, before theincident in Weed, before the
start of the novel.start of the novel.
► Kills the mice he pets, becauseKills the mice he pets, because
he does not know his ownhe does not know his own
strength.strength.
► Can’t let go of Curley’s hand.Can’t let go of Curley’s hand.
So strong, he can crush everySo strong, he can crush every
bone. Details?bone. Details?
► Kills his pup. Why?Kills his pup. Why?

7. Lennie at the EndLennie at the End
► Why does he touch Curley’s WifeWhy does he touch Curley’s Wife
in the first place?in the first place?
► How exactly is she killed?How exactly is she killed?
► How does he try to cover it up?How does he try to cover it up?
► How does George cover up forHow does George cover up for
him?him?
► What does Lennie ‘see’ at theWhat does Lennie ‘see’ at the
end?end?
► Why does George have to shootWhy does George have to shoot
him?him?

8. GeorgeGeorge
Suitable Incidents:Suitable Incidents:
►Our introduction to him inOur introduction to him in
Chap 1.Chap 1.
►Arrival at ranch. 19-27Arrival at ranch. 19-27
►Conversation with Slim. 40-44Conversation with Slim. 40-44
►Talking to Candy about theTalking to Candy about the
Dream Ranch. 62-4Dream Ranch. 62-4
►The final chapter.The final chapter.

9. GeorgeGeorge
Where can you find evidenceWhere can you find evidence
for all these statements?for all these statements?
► Small, short and quick.Small, short and quick.
► Two minds about Lennie: knowsTwo minds about Lennie: knows
he needs looking after, but alsohe needs looking after, but also
has a desire for his own life.has a desire for his own life.
► Understands Lennie – butUnderstands Lennie – but
maybe not enough?maybe not enough?
► Cautious – does not trust peopleCautious – does not trust people
quickly, e.g. Candy.quickly, e.g. Candy.

10. CandyCandySuitable Incidents:Suitable Incidents:
► First meeting. 19-22, 25-First meeting. 19-22, 25-
3030
► The shooting of his dog.The shooting of his dog.
46-5246-52
► Joining in with the RanchJoining in with the Ranch
dream. 62-5dream. 62-5
► Speaking up to Curley’sSpeaking up to Curley’s
wife. 83-4wife. 83-4
► Reaction to Curley’sReaction to Curley’s
Wife’s death. 98-101Wife’s death. 98-101

11. CandyCandy
►He has a job as a cleaner (swamper). He isHe has a job as a cleaner (swamper). He is
too old and disabled to be a ranch hand anytoo old and disabled to be a ranch hand any
more.more.
►He’s a gossip, a good source of informationHe’s a gossip, a good source of information
on Curley, the Boss, Curley’s Wife, Slim.on Curley, the Boss, Curley’s Wife, Slim.
See pages 21-9See pages 21-9
►What do we learn about him from hisWhat do we learn about him from his
attitude to his dog and his eagerness to joinattitude to his dog and his eagerness to join
in with the Dream Ranch?in with the Dream Ranch?

12. Curley’s WifeCurley’s Wife
Suitable Incidents:Suitable Incidents:
► First meeting + theFirst meeting + the
reactions of Georgereactions of George
and Lennie. 32-4and Lennie. 32-4
► The ranch hands thinkThe ranch hands think
she’s with Slim – leadsshe’s with Slim – leads
to fight. 56-9to fight. 56-9
► Her visit to Crooks’sHer visit to Crooks’s
room. 81-6room. 81-6
► Her death scene. 91-7Her death scene. 91-7

13. Curley’s WifeCurley’s Wife
► She is the only woman on the ranch.She is the only woman on the ranch.
► The ranch hands think she is a tart. Can you findThe ranch hands think she is a tart. Can you find
any evidence of this?any evidence of this?
► What do her appearance and body language sayWhat do her appearance and body language say
about her? Page32about her? Page32
► How does Lennie react to her here?How does Lennie react to her here?
► Why do we never know her name?Why do we never know her name?
► What were her dreams?What were her dreams?
► Look in detail at the way she speaks in Crooks’sLook in detail at the way she speaks in Crooks’s
room. What do you learn about her? 81-6room. What do you learn about her? 81-6

14. CurleyCurley Suitable Incidents:Suitable Incidents:
►First meeting and Candy’sFirst meeting and Candy’s
gossip 26-9gossip 26-9
►Very brief appearances:Very brief appearances:
38,56-738,56-7
►Attack on Lennie. 65-9Attack on Lennie. 65-9
►Reaction to his wife’sReaction to his wife’s
death. 102-4death. 102-4
►After Lennie’s death. 113After Lennie’s death. 113

15. CurleyCurley
Find evidence for these statements and explainFind evidence for these statements and explain
them:them:
► Only ever makes short appearances.Only ever makes short appearances.
► Always looking for his wife. Very possessive ofAlways looking for his wife. Very possessive of
her.her.
► Always aggressive body language – fanciesAlways aggressive body language – fancies
himself as a boxer.himself as a boxer.
► Always asking questions.Always asking questions.
► Wears clothes like the Boss: boots, glove.Wears clothes like the Boss: boots, glove.
► There is a lot of gossip about him and his wife.There is a lot of gossip about him and his wife.

16. SlimSlimSuitable Incidents:Suitable Incidents:
► First meeting. 34-6First meeting. 34-6
► Conversation with George.Conversation with George.
40-4640-46
► His part in the shooting ofHis part in the shooting of
Candy’s dog. 50-1Candy’s dog. 50-1
► How he deals with Curley.How he deals with Curley.
65-965-9
► After Lennie’s death. 113After Lennie’s death. 113

17. SlimSlim
►Look at the paragraph of description on pLook at the paragraph of description on p
34-5. Pick out all the details which justify34-5. Pick out all the details which justify
him being calledhim being called the prince of the ranch.the prince of the ranch.
►He doesn’t say a lot, but he encouragesHe doesn’t say a lot, but he encourages
others to talk. How does he get George toothers to talk. How does he get George to
tell him so much about Lennie? 42-5tell him so much about Lennie? 42-5
►Describe how Slim handles the situationonDescribe how Slim handles the situationon
pages 67-8.pages 67-8.

18. CrooksCrooks
Suitable Incidents:Suitable Incidents:
►Short appearance to see Slim. 53Short appearance to see Slim. 53
►In his room. Chap 4In his room. Chap 4
►He is mentioned on pages 21, 30,He is mentioned on pages 21, 30,
101101

19. CrooksCrooks
►The only worker on the ranch to have hisThe only worker on the ranch to have his
own ‘room’. Why? Why does nobody elseown ‘room’. Why? Why does nobody else
go there?go there?
►Look at Chap 4 and find out about his past.Look at Chap 4 and find out about his past.
►Think about why he wants to hurt Lennie.Think about why he wants to hurt Lennie.
►What gives him the confidence to ask to beWhat gives him the confidence to ask to be
part of the Dream Ranch? How is hispart of the Dream Ranch? How is his
confidence shattered?confidence shattered?

20. ThemesThemes
►LonelinessLoneliness
►DreamsDreams
►Itinerant WorkersItinerant Workers
►MisfitsMisfits
►PrejudicePrejudice
►Loyalty/FriendshipLoyalty/Friendship

21. LonelinessLoneliness
‘‘Guys like us, thatGuys like us, that
work on ranches,work on ranches,
are the loneliestare the loneliest
guys in the world.guys in the world.
They got noThey got no
family. They don’tfamily. They don’t
belong no place.’belong no place.’
► GeorgeGeorge has Lennie – but he’s not ahas Lennie – but he’s not a
proper companion.proper companion.
► LennieLennie also has a succession ofalso has a succession of
‘pets’.‘pets’.
► CandyCandy: relies on his dog; is eager to: relies on his dog; is eager to
join in with dream ranch; wishesjoin in with dream ranch; wishes
someone would shoot him when hesomeone would shoot him when he
gets old.gets old.
► CrooksCrooks is only allowed to socialiseis only allowed to socialise
when playing horseshoes. Alonewhen playing horseshoes. Alone
because of his colour.because of his colour.
► Curley’s wifeCurley’s wife – no female company,– no female company,
no one to talk to, hates her husband.no one to talk to, hates her husband.
Loneliness leads to her death.Loneliness leads to her death.

22. DreamsDreams
► Owning their own place is the answer to a lot ofOwning their own place is the answer to a lot of
characters’ dreams, because they are always oncharacters’ dreams, because they are always on
the move and can never make friends or start athe move and can never make friends or start a
family. Candy and Crooks are eager to join in withfamily. Candy and Crooks are eager to join in with
the dream George and Lennie have. 62-4 Crooksthe dream George and Lennie have. 62-4 Crooks
had a better life when he was a child. 77had a better life when he was a child. 77
► George has his own dream of what he would doGeorge has his own dream of what he would do
without Lennie. 11without Lennie. 11
► Curley’s dreams of being a boxer are realised butCurley’s dreams of being a boxer are realised but
ironically do him no good.ironically do him no good.
► Curley’s Wife dreams of being in the movies andCurley’s Wife dreams of being in the movies and
married Curley on the rebound from the guy ‘inmarried Curley on the rebound from the guy ‘in
pitchers’. 93-4pitchers’. 93-4
► Dreams make the hard life they lead bearable.Dreams make the hard life they lead bearable.

23. MisfitsMisfits
andand
PrejudicPrejudic
ee
MostMost
characterscharacters
are outsidersare outsiders
in their ownin their own
wayway..
► LennieLennie is backward.is backward.
► CrooksCrooks is black.is black.
► CandyCandy is disabled and old.is disabled and old.
► Curley’s WifeCurley’s Wife is the only woman.is the only woman.
► CurleyCurley is short.is short.
► They are the ones most involved inThey are the ones most involved in
dreams.dreams.
► How are they treated by the societyHow are they treated by the society
around them?around them?
► How do they compensate?How do they compensate?
► What would the future hold for them?What would the future hold for them?

24. Loyalty andLoyalty and
FriendshipFriendship
‘‘because I gotbecause I got
you to lookyou to look
after me, andafter me, and
you got me toyou got me to
look afterlook after
you.’you.’
► George sticks with Lennie andGeorge sticks with Lennie and
protects him, even though heprotects him, even though he
sometimes hankers after a differentsometimes hankers after a different
life. Others think that he must belife. Others think that he must be
swindling him out of his pay.swindling him out of his pay.
► At least Lennie is a companion.At least Lennie is a companion.
► Candy is so keen to be friends andCandy is so keen to be friends and
belong that he offers his life savings.belong that he offers his life savings.
► Curley’s wife looks for friendship andCurley’s wife looks for friendship and
companionship from the ranch hands,companionship from the ranch hands,
but it is misinterpreted and leads tobut it is misinterpreted and leads to
her death.her death.
► Crooks is suspicious of relationshipsCrooks is suspicious of relationships
and only lets down his guard briefly.and only lets down his guard briefly.