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Of Mice and Men

Section TwoThese icons indicate that teacher’s notes or useful web addresses are available in the Notes Page.

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Complete the plot summary by filling in the blanks.

Plot summary (Section Two)

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Vocabulary

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Candy

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Candy

1. Write down one quotation that shows Candy like to gossip. Page 29.

“Well – she got the eye… I seen her give Slim the eye.”

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Character study: Curley

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Curley

1. What is Curley’s reaction when he first sees Lennie? Write down a quotation from bottom of page 26/top of page 27 to show this.

“He glanced coldly at George and then at Lennie. His arms gradually bent at the elbows and his hands closed into fists”

2. Can you explain why Curley might react in this way? Write down a quotation from Page 28 to show this)

“Curley’s like a lot of little guys. He hates big guys. He’s alla time picking scraps with big guys. Kind of like he’s mad at ‘em because he ain’t a big guy.”

3. Is Curley respectful towards his wife? Give a reason for your answer from Page 29

Curley is extremely disrespectful to his wife: “Well that glove’s fulla vaseline…Curley says he’s keepin’ that hand soft for his wife.”

4. What does George think of Curley’s attitude? Write down a quotation from Page 29 to show what George thinks.

“That’s a dirty thing to tell around, George said.”

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Character study: Curley’s wife

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Curley’s Wife

1. a) How does Candy speak about Curley’s wife?

b) Write down a quotation from page 29 to show this.

1 a) Candy speaks negatively about Curley’s wife and he says she is flirtatious and unfaithful.

b) “Well, I think Curley’s married…a tart”

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Curley’s Wife

1. a) Describe how Curley’s wife looks. b) Write down a quotation from page 32 to show this. 2 a) Would you expect anyone to be dressed this way on a ranch? b) Give a reason for your answer.3. Write down a quotation from George from the top of page 33 to show how he reacts to

Curley’s wife.“ Jesus, what a tramp…Bet she’d clear out for twenty bucks”

4 a) How does Lennie look at Curley’s Wife when she first appears on P32

Lennie stares at her body and looks her up and down.

b) What does Lennie think about Curley’s wife?

Lennie thinks Curly’s wife is pretty

c) Write down a quotation from page 33 to support your answer to question B“Gosh, she was purty” or “Lennie, watched her fascinated”

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Character study: Slim

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Setting the scene

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Theme: Marginalisation

As you read through the novel, notice how many of the characters seem to be underdogs. A more sophisticated way of articulating is to say that they are marginalised by society.

People are often marginalised because they are different from what is considered ‘normal’.

People who are marginalised are denied power and discriminated against. They are often insulted or excluded (pushed to the ‘margins’ of society) and are sometimes treated very brutally.

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Theme: Marginalisation

The swamper’s old dog is a metaphor for all the underdogs in the society depicted in the novel. (Used in this sense, ‘metaphor’ means a symbol.)

So far, which other characters do you think are underdogs? Give reasons for your answer!

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Questions

Is Curley’s wife really looking for her husband? If not, what is she doing in the bunk house?

Why does George tell Lennie to stay away from Curley’s wife?

Curley’s wife is never given a name of her own. Why do you think this is?

Paying particular attention to the exchanges between George and Candy, reread the passage from ‘ “Say, what the hell you doin’ listenin’?” ’ to ‘He felt safe now, and he spoke more confidently.’ Why do you think the old swamper feels so vulnerable?

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Predictions

‘ “You keep away from Curley, Lennie.” ’ (George)

‘Lennie still stared at the doorway where she had been. “Gosh, she was purty.” ’

‘ “Look, Lennie, if you get in any kind of trouble, you remember what I told you to do?” ’ (George)

‘ “Why’n’t you get Candy to shoot his old dog and give him one of the pups to raise up?” ’ (Carlson)

What events do you think the following quotations might foreshadow?