Of Mice and Men - Chapter 2

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• Middelbare school
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• Leerjaar 4

Chapter 2

Tell me about
Chapter 2

Describe the bunkhouse

Much attention is given how the house is furnished, specifically the apple boxes and personal belongings.

 

It gives more information on how the people would live there; it paints a picture of their life.

Describe "The Boss"
Give two examples

The Boss

Appearance:

• Short

• He wears a Stetson hat

• He wears high-heeled boots

Personality: 

• He is not a laboring (werken met handen) man

• Has a temper sometimes

• ‘pretty nice’

Describe Curley
Give two examples

Curley

Appearance:

• Thin

• Brown eyes

• Curly hair

• High-heeled boots

Personality: 

• He is a fighter

• He is insecure about his height

Describe Curley's Wife
Give two examples

Curley's Wife

Appearance:

• Wide-spaced eyes

• Wears a lot of make-up

• Curly hair

• Pretty

Personality: 

• She seems unfaithful to her husband

• She cares about her looks

• Seductive

Describe Slim
Give two examples

Slim

Appearance:

• Tall

• Black hair

• He seems ageless

Personality: 

• He is an authoritative figure

• He is insightful

• He is kind and gentle

Why do you think George lies to the Boss about his relationship with Lennie?

Why do you think George lies to the Boss about his relationship with Lennie?

It is unusual for someone like George to take such care of someone like Lennie. 

George lies to avoid further questions; a familial bond does not need to be explained much further.  

What sort of man does Slim
seem to be?

What sort of man does Slim seem

to be?

He seems to be a kind and intelligent man. 

What could this predict?
“You keep away from Curley, Lennie.” (George)

This could foreshadow a fight between Curley and Lennie.

What could this predict?
“Why’n’t you get Candy to shoot his old dog…” (Carlson)

This could foreshadow the dog getting shot. 

What could this predict?
“Hide till I come for you. Don’t let nobody see you.” (George)

This could foreshadow something bad happening, causing Lennie to hide by the river.

What could this predict?
“Gosh, she was purty.” (Lennie)

This could foreshadow Lennie having a crush on Curley’s wife.

What do you think the significance of Candy’s old dog might be?
What is the significance of mentioning Slim’s pups?
What might be foreshadowed here?

Write down 3 of your ideas

Possible ideas:

• The dog is a pet, just as the mice, Lennie might hurt him.

• The dog is too old to live a good life, he might be better off dead.

• The dog is no longer of any use for the ranch; a new puppy could replace him.

• The dog is disliked, except by Candy.

• The friendship between Candy and his dog could mirror the friendship between George and Lennie. One is dependent on the other.

• Lennie is compared to animals, which puts him on a similar level as the dog

Evaluation

You now know more about:

- The Boss

- Curley

- Curley's wife

- Slim

- What might happen at the end of the book

Homework

Read Chapter 3 of Of Mice and Men

Answer the questions about Chapter 3 (booklet in Magister)