Study Questions & Essay Topics
Study Questions
1. Discuss the
relationship between George and Lennie.
2. Discuss
the various visions and dreams that comfort the characters in
Of
Mice and Men.
3. Discuss
the role of foreshadowing in the novel.
Suggested Essay Topics
1. Discuss the novel’s view of
relationships between men.
2. Analyze Steinbeck’s portrayal
of Curley’s wife as the lone female on the all-male ranch.
3. Paying attention to the long
descriptive passages at the beginning of each section, discuss the
ways in which the novel is similar to a theatrical play. Do these
similarities strengthen or weaken the novel? How?
4. Discuss George’s actions at
the end of the novel. How can we justify what he does to Lennie?
How can we condemn it?
5. Discuss Steinbeck’s descriptions
of the natural world. What role does nature play in the novel’s
symbolism?
6. Analyze the characters of
Slim, Crooks, and Curley. What role does each character play?
