Of Mice and Men - worksheet 1 pages 1-16

Directions: Answer each question on a separate sheet with a complete sentence incorporating the question into the answer.

1. In this first part of the novel, Steinbeck spends time describing the area where Lennie and George spend the night. Briefly describe this area.

2. The novel has a very strong emphasis on animals. In fact, there is an importance and function of animals in relation to Lennie. List three different animals and how they are related in some way to Lennie.

3. What is the trouble, “the bad things like you done in Weed,” that Lennie has gotten the two men into?

4. Lennie has gone across the river to fetch the dead mouse that George has thrown away. When Lennie comes back, George demands that Lennie give him the mouse. Describe, in detail, that scene. (To what is Lennie being compared?)

5. Lonliness is a central theme in this novel. In this first section George gets angry with Lennie and yells at him, “’And whatta I got,’ George went on furiously. ‘I got you! You can’t keep a job and you lose me ever’ job I get. Jus’ keep me shovin’ all over the country all the time. An’ that ain’t the worst. You get in trouble. You do bad things and I got to get you out.’ His voice rose nearly to a shout. ‘You crazy son-of-a-bitch. You keep me in hot water all the time.’”

What does Lennie say he (Lennie) should do?

6. George relents and says, “I want you to stay with me, Lennie.” What does he say next? (p13)

7. Lennie gets George to tell a story. What is the story?

8. What is the significance of this story? Why is this story that both George and Lennie recite so important to both of them?

9. Lennie has been such a problem to George. It’s obvious that Lennie stays with George because George takes care of him. Based on the story he has told, why does George stay with Lennie? What does George get out of this relationship?

10. What are two similarities between George’s story about their future ranch and the Bible’s, Garden of Eden?

11. At the end of this section, George tells Lennie to return to this spot, in which they are now staying, in case he gets into trouble. What might this advice foreshadow?