Of Mice and Men: Chapter 3

The Order of Events

George predicts that Curley’s wife is ‘gonna make a mess.’

Slim gets Curley to stick to the agreed cover story: he got his hand caught in a machine.

Curley attacks Lennie, thinking that he is laughing at him.

George explains the story of Weed to Slim. Whit invites George to ‘Old Susy’s’ Lennie crushes Curley’s hand. George thanks Slim for giving Lennie one of his puppies. Curley comes in and asks the men if they’ve seen his

wife. Carlson convinces Candy to let him shoot his old dog. Candy offers to buy into George and Lennie’s dream of a

place of their own.

The Answers

George thanks Slim for giving Lennie one of his puppies. George explains the story of Weed to Slim. Carlson convinces Candy to let him shoot his old dog. George predicts that Curley’s wife is ‘gonna make a

mess.’ Whit invites George to ‘Old Susy’s’. Curley comes in and asks the men if they’ve seen his

wife. Candy offers to buy into George and Lennie’s dream of a

place of their own. Curley attacks Lennie, thinking that he is laughing at

him. Lennie crushes Curley’s hand. Slim gets Curley to stick to the agreed cover story: he

got his hand caught in a machine.

Suggest the Significance of the Following Pictures in Chapter 3

True or False?1. George says,’God awmighty I never

seen such a strong guy,’ about Slim, the jerkline skinner.

2. George advises Carlson to take a shovel with him when he takes Candy’s dog away to shoot him.

3. Lennie gets angry at the prospect of foxes hunting his future, hypothetical rabbits.

4. When Lennie grabs hold of Curley’s fist, the narrator describes how Curley is suddenly ‘flopping like a fish.’

True or False?1. FALSE (IT IS ABOUT LENNIE)2. FALSE (SLIM ADVISES

CARLSON)3. FALSE (HE GETS ANGRY

ABOUT CATS)4. TRUE (ONE OF THE MANY

EXAMPLES OF ANIMAL IMAGERY IN THE NOVEL).

The Dream George and Lennie’s

dream of a place of their own become more vivid

in Chapter 3.

The Dream Draw a sketch of how you imagine George and Lennie’s dream ranch.

The Dream How does Steinbeck use

language to make the ranch seem inviting?

The Dream Read from ‘George, how long....’ (p.83) to

‘...the future rabbits’ (p86). How does Steinbeck make this an engaging piece of

writing?

Do you think George and Lennie will get to live ‘happy ever after’?

What clues has Steinbeck laid so far to help you make your decision?

What themes are emerging in the story so far?

With reference to one of the themes you have identified, explain how it is explored in Chapter 3.

Lennie as an Animal In this chapter, Lennie is once

again represented as animal-like. Can you find evidence to support this?

“Animals are crucial in making ‘Of Mice and Men’ an exciting story to read.” Discuss, with reference to the first three

chapters.

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 and why?3. Suggest one thing that this chapter shows the reader about the relationship between George

and Lennie.