Question

\of mice and men\ chapter 2 - comprehension questions
answer the following questions in complete sentences.

1. where does the beginning of this chapter take place?
2. what might be the importance of the conversation about the blacksmith that was in the bunk before george and lennie?
3. what is candy’s reaction to george’s question on why whitey, the blacksmith left? what does he do and say?
4. what evidence does candy give that the boss is a \pretty nice fella?\
5. what evidence is there that the boss is not a working man?
6. according to candy, what is curley good at?
7. what is george nervous about when curley walks into a room?
8. what instructions does george give lennie for when curley is around? why are these important for lennie to remember?

Explanation:

1. Confirms the setting of Chapter 2's opening.
2. Establishes the transient, lonely life of ranch workers; Whitey leaving without a word shows no lasting ties, setting the tone for the story's theme of rootlessness.
3. Candy is defensive and dismissive; he says Whitey "just quit, the way guys do" and waves off the question, not wanting to dwell on it.
4. Confirms the evidence Candy provides about the boss.
5. The boss wears high-heeled boots and spurs, which are not practical for manual ranch work, showing he does not perform labor alongside the workers.
6. Candy says Curley is a skilled amateur boxer who likes to pick fights with bigger men to prove himself.
7. Confirms George's source of nervousness.
8. George tells Lennie to avoid Curley entirely, not to talk to him, and to hide in the brush by the river if Curley picks a fight. These are important because Lennie's size and mental disability make him likely to be targeted by Curley, and Lennie does not understand social cues or how to control his strength if provoked, which could lead to disaster.

Answer:

1. The beginning of Chapter 2 takes place in the bunkhouse on the ranch.
2. The conversation about the blacksmith highlights the transient, disconnected nature of ranch worker life; it shows that workers come and go without forming meaningful bonds, reinforcing the story's theme of loneliness and rootlessness.
3. Candy reacts defensively and dismissively. He waves off the question and says Whitey "just quit, the way guys do" without offering more details, not wanting to engage with the topic.
4. The evidence Candy gives is that the boss once gave the workers a gallon of whiskey for Christmas.
5. The boss wears high-heeled boots and spurs, which are not suitable for the physical labor the other ranch workers perform, proving he does not work alongside them.
6. According to Candy, Curley is good at boxing and likes to pick fights with larger men.
7. George is nervous about how Lennie will react to Curley, as he worries Curley will target Lennie for his size and Lennie will not know how to handle the confrontation safely.
8. George tells Lennie to stay away from Curley, not speak to him, and to hide in the brush by the river if Curley starts a fight. These instructions are important because Lennie's large size and limited understanding make him an easy target for Curley's aggression, and Lennie cannot control his strength, so a fight could lead to serious harm or trouble that ruins their chance at their dream farm.