Of+Mice+and+Men

Of Mice and Men =Tasks=

Please note those students who were absent during part or all of the film do not need to complete all of questions 1 and 2, but are encouraged to provide a summary of the plot and the characters for the sections of the film that they did see.
 * 1. Complete the Film and Opening of the Novel tasks - due Thursday 20 October**


 * 2. Read Of Mice and Men - pages 3-16 and answer the following questions (due Monday 14 November)**
 * 1) List the ways George helps Lennie.
 * 2) What signs are there that George feels affection and friendship for Lennie, and vice versa?
 * 3) Why do you think Lennie likes to pet mice and rabbits?
 * 4) In what ways does George say his life would be better without Lennie?
 * 5) In what ways does George say they are different to other men who work on ranches?
 * 6) What is George and Lennie's dream?
 * 7) Why doesn’t George want Lennie to speak to the boss at the ranch?
 * 8) What does the description of the bunkhouse (pp. 19-20) say about the men who work on the ranch?
 * 9) Why is the boss suspicious of George when he hears Lennie speak? (p. 24)
 * 10) How is Curley perceived by the other men on the ranch?
 * 11) What does Candy mean when he says Curley’s wife “has got the eye”? (p. 29)
 * 12) What does George ask Lennie to do if Curley speaks to him or comes near him again? Why does George do this?
 * 13) Describe the character of Slim.
 * 14) Why does Slim think that there “ain’t many guys who travel round together?”(p.37) Find a quote to support your response.
 * 15) How does George describe how he and Lennie began to travel around together? (p. 40)
 * 16) How did George treat Lennie when they were children? Why did this change? (p. 41)
 * 17) Do you think that Candy was right to allow the old dog to be shot? Why/ why not?
 * 18) What happened to George and Lennie in Weed?
 * 19) Why do you think the men are so pleased and surprised that Bill Tenner's letter was published? p. 47
 * 20) Why do you think Lennie and George want their own farm so much?
 * 21) Why does George say, "When we put in a crop we'd be there to take the crop up". What is the attraction in this?
 * 22) Why does Candy want to join them?
 * 23) Why does Candy compare himself to the old dog?
 * 24) Candy says, "I ought to have shot that dog myself. I shouldn't ought to have let no stranger shoot my dog". Do you agree? Why/why not?
 * 25) Why does Curley attack Lennie?
 * 26) What happens afterward?
 * 27) Why does Curley agree to say he got his hand caught in a machine?
 * 28) How does Crooks react to Lennie's entrance?
 * 29) Why is Crooks so pleased to talk to Lennie?
 * 30) Why do you think Crooks teases Lennie by saying that George will not return?
 * 31) What does Crooks say about loneliness?
 * 32) Why does Crooks want to come to live on Lennie and George's farm?
 * 33) Why do you think Crooks changes his mind about the farm?
 * 34) How does Curley's wife threaten Crooks?
 * 35) How do the other men respond?
 * 36) How has Curley changed since he was promised a place on Lennie and George's farm?
 * 37) What has happened to Lennie's puppy?
 * 38) Why do you think Curley's wife wants to talk to Lennie so much?
 * 39) Why do you think Curley's wife married Curley?
 * 40) Why does Curley's wife get frightened?
 * 41) Why does Lennie kill Curley's wife?
 * 42) What do Candy and George fear will happen to Lennie?
 * 43) Why does George say, "I think I knowed from the very first. I think I knowed we'd never do her. He usta like to hear about it so much got to think maybe we would." (p. 93) What does he mean?
 * 44) Why does Candy say "Spose they lock him up an' strap him down and put him in a cage. that ain't no good." (p.96). What does he mean?
 * 45) Why do you think the other men do not try harder to stop Curley from hunting Lennie?
 * 46) Complete the following table for the first three paragraphs on page 98 (Table 1)
 * 47) What is symbolised by the heron and the snake on page 98?
 * 48) Why do you think Steinbeck presents Lennie with the two visions of Aunt Clara and the rabbit. What is the purpose of each vision and conversation? Do you think the inclusion of these visions in the book is effective?
 * 49) What do Lennie's visions tell you about his state of mind at this time?
 * 50) Why do you think Lennie invites George to 'give me hell'? How does Steinbeck present George when he finally agrees to criticise Lennie?
 * 51) Why does George tell Lennie about their dream in the final chapter?
 * 52) What does this suggest about what Steinbeck thinks about dreams?
 * 53) How does Slim react to what George has done?
 * 54) Why do you think George feels that he must kill Lennie?
 * 55) Complete the table below (table 2)
 * 56) How do you feel about George's decision? Was it the right thing to do? Provide reasons to support your answer.
 * 57) Why do you think Steinbeck chooses to finish the novel with Carlson's question, "now what the hell ya suppose is eating them two guys?" (p. 105). What do you think is his message in doing this?
 * 58) Is there anything redeeming or uplifting about the ending?
 * 59) Do you find the book realistic, pessimistic, or both?
 * 60) What did you enjoy about reading Of Mice and Men?

3. Extended Tasks - Due Tuesday 22 November

This includes the Candy's Dog and Summary Tasks