Of Mice & Men Chapter Questions
DIRECTIONS: Answer the following questions in COMPLETE sentences. Use
support from the novel when necessary (page #s are fine).
Chapter 4
1) What does Crook's room and the things in it tell you about his character?
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Small
Separate from the other men
Spends a lot of time in the room
Reads books (literate which was unusual for this time period)
Straw bed—shows that he is treated differently than the other men
Poor condition
Collects items that he feels are of value
He has a lot of books shows that he is lonely and that he is literate. Not normal
for black man. Bed is made out of hay shows that he is treated poorly. He is very
protective of his items. He has medicine for his bad back.
2) What does Crooks say to Lennie about loneliness?
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Can make you crazy or sick
When people come into the barn (work); horseshoes
Says that loneliness will make you go crazy and make you sick. Loneliness can
happen at any time.
3) Why would Crooks react so negatively to Lennie, then let him in anyway?
Crooks reacts negatively because he is mad that Lennie can just walk into his
room. He lets him because he is lonely and he knows Lennie will not judge him.
4) Why does Crooks torture and taunt Lennie about George?
Wants Lennie to feel bad about himself. He wants Lennie to know how it feels to
be lonely. He is jealous of George and Lennie.
5) Why is Crooks called "Crooks"? How does this reflect his personality?
He has a broken back. He has a very messed up view on life. HAS A
CROOKED VIEW ON LIFE!!!!
Chapter 5
1) How have Curley's wife's dreams for her life changed or been lost?
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She wanted to be an actress. When she was 15 she got a letter for a
traveling show, but her mother wouldn’t let her. She met Curley and
married him because she needs him for financial reasons.
2) Why does Curley's wife tell Lennie about "the letter"? What do you think the
letter symbolizes?
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She tells him that the letter indicated that she was wanted for the show.
(Page 88) The letter symbolizes the end of her “American dream.” (The
American dream is something that is really not attainable)
3) How does Lennie's killing of the puppy parallel his killing of Curley's wife and
the mice?
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He does not know his own strength. He’s smothering them, but not
intentionally. He only means well but ends up breaking Curley’s Wife’s
neck and killing the mice. (Page 94)
4) How does Candy react to the death of Curley's wife?
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He is angry and upset at the same time. He realizes that they are not
going to be able to get their ranch. (Page 95)
5) What options do George and Candy discuss after the discovery of the body?
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(Page 95) Whether or not to kill Lennie/If they will have their ranch
Also, George asks Candy to pretend that he didn’t know about Curley’s
wife death (so it doesn’t seem like he is in on it).
George is going to act like he doesn’t know Curley’s wife is dead. He is
only selfish because he would be out of a job.
Chapter 6
1) What is the significance of the rabbit appearing at the end of the book?
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Bunnies bring Lennie comfort and the rabbit also tells him in his own voice
that he is NOT fit to take care of him
It is a product of his guilty conscience –he knows George can get in
trouble for his actions
2) Why did George kill Lennie and was he justified in doing that?
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George kills Lennie because he knows the other men will torture him if
they find him. Opinion 2nd half---he did the right thing/he was a friend to
him in the end. Others felt maybe he should have tried to run away OR
have Lennie go live in the cave.
3) Explain what happens to the dream at the end of the novel for both Lennie and
George.
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LENNIE: The dream dies with him(he thinks that he will get to tend to the
rabbits AND HAVE HIS OWN FARM)
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GEORGE: Realizes the dream was never attainable like Crooks tells
Lennie in the barn (most men waste their money on alcohol and cat
houses) However, the dream dies with Lennie because he was a part of
the dream!!!!
4) In what way does Slim show understanding for George's decision? Why does
Carlson ask the last question?
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Slim states:
Slim came directly to George and sat down beside him, sat very close
to him. "Never you mind," said Slim. "A guy got to sometimes."
*****He understands why George killed Lennie. He did it out of love
(like Candy should have done for his dog); not to be mean. He did
this to protect Lennie.
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Carlson states:
Curley and Carlson looked after them. And Carlson said, "Now what the
hell ya suppose is eatin' them two guys?"
Carlson does NOT get Lennie and George’s friendship—he and the
rest of the men (beside Slim) thinks George killed Lennie out of selfdefense.