Of Mice And Men

6 Pages 1393 Words

Themes

1. Several characters in the novel dream of a permanent home and a better life. Describe George and Lennie's dream. (17-19,14-16)
Lennie and George are different to other ranch workers because, according to George, they have a future and each other. They dream of having a parch of land - a small farm with animals which would keep them independent. One day they will save enough money to have their own little farm "an' live off the fatta the lan” and not have to take orders from anyone and reap their own harvest. When they get their own land George is going to get some rabbits for Lennie to raise.
2. In a long paragraph explain why George and Lennie travel around together. Explain other people's reactions to them. See Slim’s comments (38,41) and Crooks' attitude,
George does not want to go around on the ranches alone because people who travel alone "Don't have any fun… After a long time they get mean.” Despite the nuisance that Lennie can be, George admits, "You get used to goin' around with a guy an' you can't get rid of him."
Other people don’t really like the fact that the two travel around together.
Slim thinks its “unusual” for two grown men to be traveling around together and Curley even hints that they might be homosexual.

3. Describe Crooks' position on the ranch, his personality and his bunkroom. Describe his appearance and how he feels about people. What is it like for him being a cripple? Use quotes.(61-65,69-71)
Crooks is a black stablehand whose nickname is derived from the crooked back he has suffered from since he was kicked in the back by a horse. He is described by Candy as a nice person. Crooks is the victim of racial prejudice and the main recipient of unequal treatment in the novel.
Crooks has more possessions than the others do on the ranch because a stablehand’s job is more permanent.
Crooks has got a bit of a attitude problem at first towards Lennie because when Lennie was sta...