Mice and men

• Over how many days does the story of "Of Mice and Men" take place?

  Four days
• What are the names of the two main characters in the novella?

  George Milton and Lenny Small
• Where do George and Lenny find work in the story?

  On a ranch in Soledad, California
• What does "Soledad" mean in Spanish?

  Solitude
• What challenges do George and Lenny face as migrant workers?

  Loneliness and difficulty finding work
• What is Lenny's significant characteristic that causes problems?

  His uncontrollable strength
• Why did George and Lenny leave their previous job?

  Due to Lenny's uncontrollable strength
• Who is Curly in the story?

  The ranch owner's son
• How is Curly's wife described in the novella?

  Lustful and lascivious
• Who is Slim in the story?

  The most respected ranch worker
• What does Candy represent in the story?

  An elderly ranch worker
• Who is Crooks in the novella?

  The only African-American worker
• What tragic event occurs at the end of the story?

  Lenny accidentally kills Curly's wife
• What does George do to Lenny at the end of the story?

  He shoots him to protect him
• What historical context influenced Steinbeck's writing of "Of Mice and Men"?

  • The Great Depression (1929)
  • Economic hardship and unemployment
  • Social alienation of migrant workers
• What event triggered the Great Depression?

  The crash of Wall Street
• How did the Great Depression affect agriculture in California?

  It led to job loss and economic hardship
• What was the Dust Bowl?

  A period of severe dust storms
• What caused the Dust Bowl?

  Severe drought and poor farming practices
• What nickname was given to families migrating from Oklahoma during the Dust Bowl?

  Okies
• How did Hollywood influence the character of Curly's wife?

  It represented unattainable beauty standards
• What were Jim Crow laws?

  Racial segregation laws in America
• What are the key characteristics of George in "Of Mice and Men"?

  • Intelligent and small
  • Caretaker of Lenny
  • Self-sacrificial and responsible
• How did Jim Crow laws affect Crooks?

  He faced economic and social disadvantages
• What are the key characteristics of Lenny in "Of Mice and Men"?

  • Large and strong
  • Has a learning disability
  • Symbolizes humankind's animal nature
• What are the key characteristics of Slim in "Of Mice and Men"?

  • Respected mule driver
  • Represents fairness and sound judgment
  • Depicted as the conscience of the novel
• What are the key characteristics of Curly in "Of Mice and Men"?

  • The boss's son
  • Aggressive and confrontational
  • Represents the existing social structure
• What are the key characteristics of Curly's wife in "Of Mice and Men"?

  • Labeled as lustful and lascivious
  • Represents unattainable beauty standards
  • Demonized as a femme fatale
• What are the key characteristics of Candy in "Of Mice and Men"?

  • Elderly ranch worker
  • Represents vulnerability and fear of abandonment
  • Has a loyal dog killed by Carlson
• What are the key characteristics of Crooks in "Of Mice and Men"?

  • The only African-American worker
  • Lives separately from other workers
  • Represents racial segregation and social isolation
• How does Steinbeck portray the American Dream in "Of Mice and Men"?

  As an impossible aspiration for migrant workers
• What does the character of Lenny symbolize in the novella?

  The vulnerability of the weak in society
• How does the setting of the ranch contribute to the themes of loneliness and isolation?

  It emphasizes the struggles of migrant workers
• What role does the Great Depression play in the characters' lives?

  It creates economic hardship and despair
• How does Steinbeck use the character of Curly's wife to comment on gender roles?

  She embodies the struggles of isolated women
• What does the ending of "Of Mice and Men" signify about dreams and reality?

  Dreams are often unattainable in harsh realities
• How does the character of Slim serve as a moral compass in the novella?

  He represents fairness and understanding among workers
• What does the relationship between George and Lenny reveal about friendship?

  It highlights the importance of companionship in hardship
• How does Steinbeck illustrate the theme of social injustice in "Of Mice and Men"?

  Through the struggles of marginalized characters
• What does the character of Crooks reveal about racial discrimination in the 1930s?

  He faces isolation and economic disadvantages