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Of Mice and Men – Chapters 1-4 Quiz
1. What was the story Lennie wanted George to tell him throughout the novel (include what
animal Lennie wanted to raise)?
2. Ch. 2, p. 30: George becomes afraid Curley will pick a fight with Lennie. George then
becomes afraid that he will end up fighting Curley himself. George gives Lennie specific
instructions to hide if there is ever any trouble. Where does George tell Lennie to go?
3. Ch 3, p. 49: What happened to Candy’s dog and why did it happen?
4. Ch. 3, p. 63: What happened to Curley’s hand – include how Lennie was involved.
5. Ch. 4, p. 75: Why was it unusual that Candy and Lennie were in Crooks’ room?
Pt. 2
Take-Home Quiz: In MLA Format
Choose only one of the following quotes (or set of quotes) and in two well-written, fully
developed paragraphs explain how the quote (i) relates to a character or relationship in A Lesson
Before Dying or The Green Mile; and (ii) your thoughts/feelings/or opinions about the situation.
A. Question: How does George’s attitude about Lennie relate to Grant’s attitude about Jefferson
in the beginning of the novel, A Lesson Before Dying?
“George exploded.” … “`God a’mighty, if I was alone I could live so easy. I
could go get a job an’ work, an’ no trouble. No mess at all, and when the end of
the month come I could take my fifty bucks and go into town and get whatever I
want.’” … “`An’ whatta I got,’ George went on furiously. ‘I got you! You can’t
keep a job and you lose me ever’ job I get.’ … ‘You do bad things and I got to get
you out.’ … ‘You keep me in hot water all the time’” (11).
B. Question: How does George’s attitude about Lennie relate to Grant’s change in attitude about
Jefferson in the middle of the novel, A Lesson Before Dying?
“`I ain’t made at you. I’m made at this here Curley bastard.’ … ‘You keep away
from Curley, Lennie.’ … ‘Don’t let him pull you in – but – if the son-of-a-bitch
socks you-let `im have it.’ … ‘Never mind, never mind. Look, Lennie, if you
get in any kind of trouble, you remember what I told you to do?’ … ‘Hide till I
come for you. Don’t let nobody see you. Hide in the brush by the river. Say that
over’ (30).
C. Question: How does the shooting of Candy’s dog relate to the theme of responsibility
towards the weak in either A Lesson Before Dying or The Green Mile? Include specific
examples.
‘You seen what they done to my dog tonight? They says he wasn’t no good to
himself nor nobody else. When they can me here I wisht somebody’d shoot me.
But they won’t do nothing like that. I won’t have no place to go, an’ I can’t get no
more jobs’ (60).
***
’I ought to of shot that dog myself, George. I shouldn’t ought to of let no stranger
shoot my dog’ (61).
D. Question: Lennie needs to defend himself against Curley’s mean and unprovoked attack.
George demands Lennie fight back. Lennie does and grabs Curley’s hand, crushing every bone
in his hand. The boys’ defend Lennie. How does their taking justice into their own hands relate
to the scene where Paul and his men lock Percy in a room and tell him to resign?
‘I think you got your han’ caught in a machine. If you don’t tell nobody what
happened, we ain’t going to. But you jus’ tell an’ try to get this guy canned and
we’ll tell ever’body, an’ then will you get the laugh.’ ‘I won’t tell,’ said Curley.
He avoided looking at Lennie (65).
E. Question: Curley’s wife is angry that Crooks, Lennie, or Candy won’t talk friendly with her.
How does her accusation relate to the thematic idea of desolation in A Lesson Before Dying or Of
Mice and Men?
“‘You’re all scared of each other, that’s what. Ever’ one of you’s scared the rest is
goin’ to get something on you’” (77).
F. Question: How does the unusual moment of tenderness between Crooks, Lennie, and Candy
huddled together in Crooks’ room relate to the thematic idea of friendship in A Lesson Before
Dying or Of Mice and Men?
A guy needs somebody – to be near him’ He whined, ‘A guy goes nuts if he ain’t
got nobody. Don’t make no difference who the guy is, long’s he’s with you. I tell
ya,’ he cried, “I tell ya a guy gets too lonely an’ he gets sick’ (72-73).
***
Crooks said irritably, ‘You can come in if you want.’ Candy seemed embarrassed.
‘I do’ know. ‘Course, if you want me to.’ ‘come on in. If ever’body’s comin’ in,
you might as well.’ It was difficult for Crooks to conceal his pleasure with anger
(75).