• Debate as to whether Lennie Small is guilty or innocent of murder and use academic vocabulary to present arugments and rebut arguments.
• Consider the deeper effects of the story and its ending by answering Consider This questions.
• Practice writing by reviewing CL.E.A.R videos and writing on CL.E.A.R paragraph.

Essential Question

Answer ALL of the Consider This questions.

Four of the five can be answered in note or bullet format. However, ONE question must be answered in CL.E.A.R paragraph format. It is up to you which one.

Question One: Steinbeck uses the setting of this chapter to help mirror the opening of the book. In particular, he uses phrases and images that are similar to both: for example “[a] water-snake slipped along on the pool, its head held up like a little periscope...” (Chapter 1) and “[a] water-snake glided smoothly up the pool, twisting its periscope head from side to side...” (Chapter 6).

a) Find one other example of this, and use quotes to illustrate the similarity.

b) Why do you think Steinbeck uses this mirroring technique?

Question Two: What is the significance of Lennie’s two visions (Aunt Clara and the Giant Rabbit, both of whom speak in Lennie’s own voice)? Use at least two quotes in your answer.

Question Three: We have now reached the final chapter of the novel: the heartbreaking moment when George feels forced to kill his closest and only true friend.

a) What drove George to believe he had to kill Lennie?

b) Do you think George did the right thing? Why/Why not?

Question Four: What does the final sentence reveal about 1930s America? Justify your answer with quotes from the text.

Click the button below which will take you to a reflection video to check your own work.

How well did you do?

What was one strength you had?

What is one thing you'd like to improve for next lesson?