Question

setting
focus
draw the
setting
from the
beginning
of the
novella.
write 2-3
words or
phrases
that
describe
the setting.
bindle - bag, sack
morosely - unhappy, gloomy, or very serious
periscope - observation tool (sailors)
thrashin’ (threshing) machine - separates seeds from
gram/wheat
anguish - severe mental or physical pain or suffering
contemplate - think deeply
pantomime - miming, entertaining gestures
imperious - domineering, dictatorial
dejectedly - sad, depressed or hopeless
jack/stake - money
brusque - to be abrupt in manner, blunt, or
rough
allusions and
historical
references
soledad
a coastal california city about 130 miles south (below) of san francisco
salinas river
a river that flows through soledad and into monterey bay
weed
a northern california mining town
watchin’ that
blackboard
employment agencies would post available jobs on a blackboard in front of their offices
prospective employees would watch the blackboard for any new jobs.
work cards
job assignment from an employment agency written on a work card to be presented by
the worker to the employer
reading comprehension check

1. why is george being mean to lennie?
2. from where are george and lennie coming, and why?
3. who used to give lennie mice? why did she stop giving lennie mice? what happens to the mice lennie

likes to pet?

1. what does george imply happened in weed with the girl?
2. what does lennie say he’ll do to make george happy?
3. what do the incidents with the mice and the woman in weed tell us about lennie’s nature?
4. how do george and lennie see themselves as different to other men?

Explanation:

To answer these reading comprehension questions, we analyze the text (likely from Of Mice and Men):

1. Why is George being mean to Lennie?

George is frustrated with Lennie’s forgetfulness and dependence. He also feels burdened by caring for Lennie, so he “teases” or acts mean to vent, though he still cares for Lennie.

2. From where are George and Lennie coming, and why?

They are coming from Weed. They fled Weed because Lennie’s actions (touching a girl’s dress, misinterpreting social cues) led to a mob chasing them, forcing them to escape.

3. Who used to give Lennie mice? Why did she stop? What happens to the mice Lennie pets?

• Lennie’s Aunt Clara used to give him mice.
• She stopped because Lennie would pet the mice too hard (due to his strength and lack of control), killing them.
• Any mouse Lennie pets (like the ones Aunt Clara gave or others he finds) often dies because he cannot control his strength when petting them.

4. What does George imply happened in Weed with the girl?

George implies Lennie touched a girl’s dress (Lennie wanted to feel its softness). The girl falsely accused Lennie of assault, leading to a mob forming to lynch Lennie, so they had to run away.

5. What does Lennie say he’ll do to make George happy?

Lennie offers to go away and live in a cave by himself, thinking this will spare George the trouble of caring for him.

6. What do the incidents with the mice and the woman in Weed tell us about Lennie’s nature?

These incidents show Lennie is innocent but dangerous due to his intellectual disability and lack of impulse control. He means no harm (he likes soft things, wants to be kind) but his brute strength and inability to understand consequences lead to accidental harm (killing mice, scaring the girl in Weed).

7. How do George and Lennie see themselves as different to other men?

They believe they are different because they have each other: most men during the Great Depression are lonely, transient laborers with no companionship or future. George and Lennie have a bond, a dream of owning a farm, and mutual loyalty—they are not “alone” like other men.

(Note: These answers assume the text is from Of Mice and Men and draw on the novel’s context and character dynamics.)

Answer:

To answer these reading comprehension questions, we analyze the text (likely from Of Mice and Men):

1. Why is George being mean to Lennie?

George is frustrated with Lennie’s forgetfulness and dependence. He also feels burdened by caring for Lennie, so he “teases” or acts mean to vent, though he still cares for Lennie.

2. From where are George and Lennie coming, and why?

They are coming from Weed. They fled Weed because Lennie’s actions (touching a girl’s dress, misinterpreting social cues) led to a mob chasing them, forcing them to escape.

3. Who used to give Lennie mice? Why did she stop? What happens to the mice Lennie pets?

• Lennie’s Aunt Clara used to give him mice.
• She stopped because Lennie would pet the mice too hard (due to his strength and lack of control), killing them.
• Any mouse Lennie pets (like the ones Aunt Clara gave or others he finds) often dies because he cannot control his strength when petting them.

4. What does George imply happened in Weed with the girl?

George implies Lennie touched a girl’s dress (Lennie wanted to feel its softness). The girl falsely accused Lennie of assault, leading to a mob forming to lynch Lennie, so they had to run away.

5. What does Lennie say he’ll do to make George happy?

Lennie offers to go away and live in a cave by himself, thinking this will spare George the trouble of caring for him.

6. What do the incidents with the mice and the woman in Weed tell us about Lennie’s nature?

These incidents show Lennie is innocent but dangerous due to his intellectual disability and lack of impulse control. He means no harm (he likes soft things, wants to be kind) but his brute strength and inability to understand consequences lead to accidental harm (killing mice, scaring the girl in Weed).

7. How do George and Lennie see themselves as different to other men?

They believe they are different because they have each other: most men during the Great Depression are lonely, transient laborers with no companionship or future. George and Lennie have a bond, a dream of owning a farm, and mutual loyalty—they are not “alone” like other men.

(Note: These answers assume the text is from Of Mice and Men and draw on the novel’s context and character dynamics.)