Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

Reading Guide: Chapter V and VI

I. Figurative Language and Stylistic Devices (4M and 7A) – Read the following examples and determine what figures of speech or stylistic devices are being used.

• There was a buzz of flies in the air, the lazy afternoon humming…____________________
• Then gradually time awakened and moved sluggishly on.____________________
• His face was as hard and tight as wood, and his eyes were hard.____________________
• There was a rise of voices in question, a drum of running feet…____________________
• A gust drove through the tops of the trees like a wave. ____________________
• The sycamore leaves turned up their silver sides. ____________________
• As quickly as it came, the wind died. ____________________
• Lennie appeared out of the brush, and he came as silently as a creeping bear moves. ____________________

II. Vocabulary -Read the sentences below and write the definition of each underlined word. Use a dictionary to check yourself.

• He looked sullenly up at her.
• “No I ain’t,” Lennie explained earnestly. “George says I ain’t. I like to pet nice things with my fingers, sof’ things.”
• “Then – it’s all off?” Candy asked sulkily.
• Now Lennie retorted belligerently, “He ain’t neither. George won’t do nothing like that. I’ve knew George since – I forget when.

III. Characterization (4Q) - Read the quotations below. Determine who is being described and if it is direct or indirect characterization.

• “ I get lonely,” she said. “You can talk to people, but I can’t talk to nobody but Curley. Else he gets mad. How’d you like not to talk to anybody?____________________
• But [he] sat stiffly on the bank and looked at his right hand that had thrown the gun away. ____________________
• The barn was darkening gradually and, in their stalls, the horses shifted their feet and rattled the halter chains. [He] lay down in the hay and covered his eyes with his arm. ____________________
• [He] came directly to George and sat down beside him, sat very close to him. “Never you mind,” said [he]. “A guy got to sometimes.” ____________________
• Curley and [he] looked after them. And [he] said, “Now what the hell do you suppose is eatin’ them two guys?” ____________________

IV. Plot Details

• Why did Curley’s wife marry Curley?
• What happens to Lennie’s puppy? Be as specific as possible.
• What does Lennie try to do about the puppy?
• What does Curley’s wife allow Lennie to do?
• What happens as a result of this decision?
• Who finds Curley’s wife?
• Who stole Carlson’s gun?
• What piece of advice from George did Lennie remember?
• Whom and what does Lennie hallucinate? What do these visions tell Lennie?
• What is ironic about George’s speech at the end of the novel?

Reading guide that includes multiple choice and short answer questions.