Some navigating questions to support a discussion of Steinbeck's novel

1. Chapter 3 Questions – Of Mice & Men

3. In this chapter we learn a lot more about the
kind of man Slim is and why the bunkhouse
holds him in such high regard. What phrases
does Steinbeck use to reflect this in his
description?

4. Why did George and Lennie have to leave Weed
in such a hurry?
Was Lennie to blame for his actions?

5. Carlson offers a simple solution to the
problem of Candy’s dog’s smell and
feebleness: shoot it. Slim concurs, saying
that the old dog only suffers.
What does this tell you about weak
people/animals?
What does this tell you about the time
period?

6. In this chapter we learn about the struggle the
men have to save their meagre earnings – what
are the temptations they face and how do most
men blow their wages each week?

7. George recites the ‘dream’ to Lennie, not
realising that Candy is listening too. When the
old swamper offers to hand over his savings if
he can become a part of that dream, it becomes
(perhaps for the first time) a real possibility.
How does this modify the mood of the novel?
Do you think they’ll actually buy the farm?

8. Why does Candy say that he should have shot
his own dog?

9. What is the source of tension between Slim and
Curley?
Why do you think Curley transfers his anger
towards Lennie, rather than have it out with
Slim and what does this tell us about him?

10. Look again at the fight between Curley and
Lennie – and the language used to describe it.
What effect does Steinbeck achieve here?
In the aftermath of the fight, who has the
highest status in the room (and how have you
arrived at that opinion?).

11. Now think about the hierarchy of status on the ranch more
broadly – who has the most and least power and influence?
Can you create an ordered list from most to least status? Is
it stable of does it change as events unfold?