Of Mice and Men: Chapter Two

Put the Following Events in Order• The boss arrives in the bunkhouse. • Excited by Slim and Carlson’s conversation, Lennie asks George about having one of Slim’s

puppies. • Curley soon gets into a heated exchange of words with George about Lennie not

answering for himself. • George and Lennie meet Candy, the old swamper, who has one hand missing.• The boss assigns George and Lennie to Slim’s team. Slim is the ranch’s skinner.• Candy re-enters the room with his old dog.• Candy explains that Curley hates ‘big guys’ because he’s not one of them. • Candy suggests that Curley’s wife is a bit of a flirt with the other men on the ranch. • George and Lennie arrive at the ranch.• Curley, the boss’ son, enters the room, looking for his ‘old man.’• The boss questions George and Lennie and doesn’t understand why Lennie doesn’t speak

for himself. • George warns Lennie to stay away from Curley.• Lennie is unable to disguise his admiration of Curley’s wife’s beauty• Curley’s wife enters the room and says she’s looking for her husband. She leaves. • Slim enters the room and is described by the narrator. He is the prince of the ranch.

The Answers• George and Lennie arrive at the ranch.• George and Lennie meet Candy, the old swamper, who has one hand missing.• The boss arrives in the bunkhouse. • The boss questions George and Lennie and doesn’t understand why Lennie doesn’t speak

for himself. • The boss assigns George and Lennie to Slim’s team. Slim is the ranch’s skinner.• Candy re-enters the room with his old dog.• Curley, the boss’ son, enters the room, looking for his ‘old man.’• Curley soon gets into a heated exchange of words with George about Lennie not answering

for himself. • Candy explains that Curley hates ‘big guys’ because he’s not one of them. • Candy suggests that Curley’s wife is a bit of a flirt with the other men on the ranch. • George warns Lennie to stay away from Curley.• Curley’s wife enters the room and says she’s looking for her husband. She leaves. • Lennie is unable to disguise his admiration of Curley’s wife’s beauty• Slim enters the room and is described by the narrator. He is the prince of the ranch. • Excited by Slim and Carlson’s conversation, Lennie asks George about having one of Slim’s

puppies.

Chapter Two: Comprehension Questions

• What is physically different about Candy, the old swamper?

• What does Lennie say to the boss and why does this make George angry?

• Why is the boss suspicious when he meets George and Lennie for the first time?

• What is Candy’s pet and what is it like?• Who is Curley and what is George’s impression of

him?• What is George’s impression of Curley’s wife?• What does Slim have that Lennie wants?

‘Well, he’d better watch out for Lennie. Lennie

ain’t no fighter, but he’s strong and quick and

Lennie don’t know no rules.’

Who says this and what does it tell us about Lennie?

Look at the following pictures. Why are they important in Chapter Two?

The Other Characters

1. What other characters do we meet in this chapter?

2. Using quotations, say three things about each character.

3. Which character/s do you think will have the most impact on George and Lennie? Explain your answer.

4. Would you allow Lennie to have one of the puppies? Explain your answer.

True or False?1. The pesticide that George finds in the shelf box at

the end of his bed kills ‘lice, broaches and other scourges.’

2. The boss wears a soiled, black Stetson hat.3. Lennie can rassel grain bags and drive a cultivator. 4. George lies to boss by saying the reason they left

Weed was because the job was done. 5. Candy’s cat is old, grey and lame. 6. Curley puts vaseline and a glove on his right hand to

keep his skin soft for his new wife.7. Slim’s large hands are compared to a dancer’s in

this chapter.

True or False1. False (roaches)2. False (his hat is brown, not black).3. True4. True5. False (Candy has an old dog). 6. False (it’s his left hand).7. True

Make a prediction of

what will happen next in the story.

Questions for Discussion

•How does George and Lennie’s relationship develop in Chapter Two?•‘The social environment in Chapter Two is one of hostiliy.’ Discuss.•Do you think that the ranch hands find Curly’s wife attractive? Does this include Lennie? How – if at all – can she be seen to be flirting with the men?•What impression do we have of the relationship between Curley and his wife? Support your answer with evidence from the text.

Consolidating Your Understanding

1. What are the main events of the chapter?2. What do you consider to be the most

important event of the chapter? Explain your answer.

3. Suggest one important development in the relationship between George and Lennie.