In order to study for the Of Mice and Men exam, read through each of the following questions, think of specific detailed answers, and write down a few notes for each. Also read through all of your notes and reading quizzes on the novel. If you want to earn extra credit, write out complete answers to each question and you may earn up to 10 points extra credit on the exam. In order to earn the extra credit, you must hand in your study questions before you take the exam. The exam will be given next week.
1. Describe each of the following characters. (Lennie, George, Slim, Crooks, Curley's wife, Curley, Candy)
2. Why does George travel with and look out for Lennie, even though he always complains about it? How does he treat Lennie? What does Lennie do for him?
3. What is the dream that Lennie and George have? Is it more important to one of them? Why is this dream so important? How does this dream influence the other characters in the novel? How does this dream represent one of the central themes of the novel?
4. Why do you think Steinbeck never told the readers Curley's wife's name? Why do you think her lack of a name is important?
5. Is Curley's wife cruel and mean spirited or just misunderstood? Why does she act the way she does?
6. Why do you think Crooks is so cynical (negative)? How does the dream influence him? What makes him change his views on it?
7. What kind of world does Steinbeck describe in this novel? (in nature and in the characters)
8. How does Steinbeck use his description of nature in this novel, especially in the closing scene?
9. What information in the novel helped prepare the reader to accept the fact that Lennie could kill a human without meaning to? Give at least two examples.
10. Describe what you think went through Lennie's mind during the scene where he killed Curley's wife.
11. Why did George decide to kill Lennie? Do you agree with his decision? Explain.
12. Describe how you think George felt at the end of the novel. Be specific and explain your reasoning. Why does he give up on the dream?
13. Describe the scene in the last chapter when Lennie talks to his Aunt Clara and the rabbit? What is really happening? What is Steinbeck trying to show about Lennie through this scene?
14. Why does George retell the story of the rabbit farm and living off the "fatta of the land" at the end of the novel?
15. What do you think Steinbeck is trying to say about life by writing this novel? What are some of the central themes?
16. How is the concept of the American Dream played out in this novel? What is Steinbeck saying about the American Dream through this novel?
17. What is the symbolism of Candy’s dog? How does the death of Candy’s dog parallel Lennie’s death? What does this parallel add to the novel?
18. Why do you think the novel is titled Of Mice and Men?