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Of Mice and Men Study Guide

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Of Mice and Men Study Guide
Of Mice and Men Study Guide
1. Characters and Places
a.
b. George:
-George is a small and sharp man who has been Lennie guardian ever since his Aunt Clara did. He gives Lennie directions to follow; they are best friends and travel together. He and Lennie dream of having their own farm and working for themselves rather than a ranch owner. George eventually kills Lennie to prevent a stranger from handling the task; the dream of a farm also dies with Lennie.
c. Lennie:
-Lennie is large and very powerful, such as a bear or a dog. He also enjoys petting soft objects like fur and silk; he has a mental disability so he depends on George for the correct guidance; he will listen to anything George tells him to do. He is blameless and never does anything on purpose. Moreover, he is optimistic about the idea of one day owning a farm with George; his optimism convinces others, such as Candy, Crooks, and George, that the dream can become a possible reality. He holds on to the fact that he will get to tend the rabbits and feed them alfalfa on the farm. The dream is ultimately crushed when he kills Curley’s wife, and is chased out of the ranch by a mob who wants Lennie murdered. George ends up killing Lennie at the end of the story.
d. Slim:
-Slim is a “jerkline skinner” which is the head person on a mule team. He very respected on the ranch, and everyone values his opinions and advice, such as deciding whether or not to kill Candy’s dog. He gives Candy and Lennie each one pup from his litter of dogs. He was the only one who truly understood George and Lennie’s friendship.
e. Candy:
-Candy is an old ranch hand who only has one arm due to an accident. He had an old dog ever since it was a puppy until Carlson shot it. He fears of being fired when the boss realizes that is no good. He also shares George and Lennie’s dream of owning a farm and having a secure life; but he doesn’t understand the loss of Lennie to have crushed the dream.
f. Carlson:
-Carlson is a guy

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