Of Mice and Men
YOU MUST HAVE A
COMPOSITION BOOK FOR THIS
JOURNAL
Quick Write #1
• Define “alone”; “lonely”
– Compare and contrast these two terms.
• 10-15 sentences
• If you have “family,” can you still be
lonely? Why? Why not?
• 15-20 sentences
Quick Write #2
• Think of someone who you have known most of your life;
close to your age; best friends; blood brothers/sisters;
protected each other always. Write his/her name at the
top of your page.
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Scenario: Your friend is in a terrible accident. He/she
now has some brain damage. He/She can still do most
things; but he/she forgets things; acts very childlike (not
childish). Still looks up to you for friendship and
protection. Your other fiends make fun of him/her and
tell you to drop him/her as a friend. Does your friendship
end? Why? Why not? How do you protect him/her from
the cruelty of society? Can you? Why or Why not?
– 200-300 WORDS
Quick Write #3
• Define racism; prejudice
– Compare and contrast the two terms. Can
either one be good? Why? Why not? Give
specific examples
• 200-300 words
• Where do you see prejudice in your life?
Give specific examples. (Do not confuse
this term with racism.)
• 200-300 words
Maslow’s Connection to George and Lennie- Quick Write 4
• Where in the story does it show that George and Lennie have
acquired each level of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs? Are there
any that they never acquired? Are there some that only one
acquired? Discuss each level as it pertains to each of the two
characters; give specific examples (quotes that must be cited
from the book) in your discussion.
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Biological and Physiological needs
basic life needs - air, food, drink, shelter, warmth, sleep, etc.
Safety needs
protection, security, order, law, limits, stability, etc.
Belongingness and Love needs
family, affection, relationships, work group, etc.
Esteem needs
achievement, status, responsibility, reputation
Self-actualization
personal growth and fulfilment
Quick Write #4-A
• Refer back to Maslow’s Hierarchy of
Needs.
– So far, what specific needs have George and
Lennie satisfied? Cite (quote and page
number) and discuss at least two quotes from
the story for each character, using chapters
1-3 only.
Quick Write #5
• Write 5-7 sentences describing the physical and
psychological character of each of the following
people: You must have at least one quote from
the story discussing each character’s
psychological character.
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Lennie
George
Candy
Slim
Curley
Curley’s wife
Carlson
Quick Write #6
• Discuss the character of Crooks.
• What does he think of himself? Cite from the book.
• To what does he compare himself to? (You need to review
the past chapters to figure this one out.) Cite from the book.
• Where is he on the Maslow Hierarchy of Needs?
– Have any of his needs been met? Which ones? Why? Why
not?
• How is he treated by Lennie, Candy, and Curley’s wife? Be
specific. Is the treatment the same? Why? Why not? Cite
from the book.
• Why does Crooks change his mind about being a part of the
“dream team”? Be specific. Cite from the chapter.
Quick Write #7
• Discuss the character of Curley’s wife.
– What does she think of herself?
– What is her dream? Does she realize her
dream? Why? Why not?
– What are the opinions of the men on the
ranch regarding Curley’s wife? Are they right
in their opinions? Why? Why not?
– Is she really a “tart”? Why? Why not?
• Cite all your answers with examples from
the book.
Quick Write #8
• Where do Curley’s wife and Lennie place
on Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs?
– How many needs are met for each? Cite from
the book.
– Does one reach a higher need than the other?
If yes, which ones; when or where? Cite from
the book.
Quick Write #9
• What levels of Maslow’s Hierarchy of
Needs has George met? Give examples
from the book for each level met. Cite the
pages from the book.
– Does he fulfill his “dream”? Why/why not?
Cite from the book.
Quick Write #10
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Why does George kill Lennie?
Was it necessary? Why? Why not?
Was it moral? Why? Why not?
What does Carlson’s quote in the last lines
of the book say about his character?
Prompts to Consider
• Discuss the animal imagery within the
character of Lennie. Consider not only the
specific comparisons to various animals
but also the animals in the story, ie.
rabbits, mice, and dogs.
• Discuss the theme of loneliness as it
pertains to the following characters:
– George
– Crooks
– Curley’s wife
More Prompts
• Discuss the theme of prejudice within the
context of the story as it pertains to the
characters of Lennie, Crooks, and Curley’s
wife.
• Discuss the quote, “The best laid plans of
mice and men often go awry.” How does
this quote represent the story?
To a Mouse (on turning her up in her nest with the plough)
• Man’s plans are no more secure than the
mouse. The source of the characters’ dreams is
their discontent with their present lives.
– Poor; few possessions; few comforts; no
chance of marriage or family life and no place
of their own.
– These griefs and fears are common to all men
and women. Most universal expression of loss
and destruction of personal insecurity and
anxiety. The whole story is the theme of the
shattered dream, the grief and pain instead of
the promised plan
Mouse and Lennie
• Farmer: philosophical; little control over his
destiny, just lie the mouse. Man, however, is
superior to the mouse in that he can think things
through, can feel regret, remorse,
disappointment, etc….mouse can’t.
• Lennie – mouse; has decisions made for him.
Lives only for the present.
• Lennie – man; has a dream and devotes himself
to the fulfillment of this dream. More powerful
and is capable of killing thus overturning and
destroying George’s dream of owning land.
George’s Dream
• Planned carefully
• Social union with Lennie; pressure from society – “man’s
dominion” breaks the natural bond he has with Lennie.
After the death of Curley’s wife, he must give up on the
dream and give up on Lennie. It has broken the natural
bond between the two.
• This shattered dream is the same as the turning up of
the mouse’s nest.
• George and Lennie thought they would be very cosy in
their own ranch, but Curley’s wife as the coulter that
smashed that idea.