OF MICE AND MEN
READING GUIDE
Use these questions to guide your reading and understanding of the novel. Preview the questions before you begin to read each chapter of the book. List your responses in the space after each question, or write more complete answers in your notebook.
Chapter 1
1. In what part of the country does the novel take place?
The story takes place near the Salinas River in California.
2. List words that describe Lennie.
Childish, slow, childlike, immature, huge, follower, simple, forgetful
3. List words that describe George.
Quick, wiry, muscular, caring, frustrated, small, leader
4. To what animal is Lennie compared?
Lennie is compared to a bear.
5. To what animal would you compare George?
weasel, tiger, raccoon, badger
6. Why were George and Lennie run out of Weed?
- Lennie touched a little girl’s dress and grabbed it when she tried to get away. He was only trying to pet it like a mouse, but the people of Weed thought he was trying to molest her.
7. What things does Lennie do and say that make him like a child?
Keeps forgetting, pets mice, asks over and over again about the ketchup, copies all of George’s movements
8. Does George really want Lennie to go away? Explain your answer.
No, but he is very frustrated with him and has had to leave places because of him. George loves Lennie, but is tired of changing his life to accommodate him.
9. What is the meaning of the following phrase: “An’ live off the fatta the lan’”?
To “live off the fat of the land”means to use the land to provide all of the food and necessities for life. They would farm and raise livestock on their own ranch.
10. Where does George tell Lennie to hide if he gets in trouble?
George tells Lennie to hide in the brush next to the Salinas River where they camped.