The beginning of the novel begins with a rich description of physical setting. Cite examples of 3
uses of descriptive language. Explain the effect on the mood created by Steinbeck by beginning
the narrative with this description. Answers will vary
"The water is warm too, for it has slipped twink...
Of Mice and Men Questions and
Answers Graded A+
The beginning of the novel begins with a rich description of physical setting. Cite examples of 3
uses of descriptive language. Explain the effect on the mood created by Steinbeck by beginning
the narrative with this description. ✔✔Answers will vary
"The water is warm too, for it has slipped twinkling over the yellow sands in the sunlight before
reaching the narrow pool." (Pg. 1)
"On the sandy bank under the trees the leaves lie deep and so crisp that a lizard makes a great
skittering if he runs among them." (Pg. 1)
"There is a path through the willows and among the sycamores, a path beaten hard by boys
coming
down from the ranches to swim in the deep pool, and beaten hard by tramps who come wearily
down
from the highway in the evening to jungle-up near water." (Pags. 1-2)
With this opening setting, what is Steinbeck trying to suggest about this area by the Salinas
River? ✔✔The imagery at the beginning of the book suggests that the area is a place of peace
and rest. The idea that men and boys seek this place for comfort suggests that the Salinas River is
a sanctuary.
,Copy the sentence that suggests that men as well as other forms of life seek out this place.
✔✔"... and beaten hard by tramps who come
wearily down from the highway in the evening to jungle-up near water." (Pg.2)
Of Mice and Men is set during the Great Depression of the 1930s. During this era homeless men
called hobos traveled across the United States and would settle ("jungle up") in camps at night
that were referred to as "hobo jungles." Compare and contrast the two men who come to the pool
in the clearing. ✔✔The two men who come into the clearing are similar in the way in which they
are dressed and what they carry with them. For example, the two men are "dressed in denim
trousers and in denim coats with brass buttons." (Pg 2) They also both carry blanket rolls with
them. Physically, the men are very different. One man is "small and quick, dark of face, with
restless eyes and sharp, strong features."
(Pg.2) The other man is huge and fair-skinned.
What can you infer about these two men and their relationship based on their descriptions?
✔✔The smaller man is the leader. Because he is described as "small and quick" with "restless
eyes," the reader can infer that the man is determined and the one navigating their way
through the area. The reader can also infer that the other man is more absent-minded and slow
because he "nearly ran over" the other man when he stopped in the path, dragged his feet and
flung himself on the ground when they stopped. (Pg.3)
, Why does the use of animal imagery to describe the larger man (Lennie) suggest?
Quote two examples in your answer. ✔✔Answers will vary-
"dragging his feet a little, the way a bear drags his paws" (Pg. 2); "drank with long gulps,
snorting into the water like a horse" (Pg. 3)
Why does George tell Lennie not to drink the water? Why might this seem like an unusual
instruction to give a man who has spent part of his adult life traveling the country? ✔✔George
tells Lennie not to drink the water because it looks "kinda scummy." (Pg. 3) The reader learns
that Lennie was sick the night before from drinking the water. George tells Lennie that unless the
water is moving, it probably is not healthy water to drink. We can assume that if the two men are
traveling across part of the United States, they have spent much of their time living off the land.
A more aware person would know not to drink from certain bodies of water.
When George gives these instructions about the water to Lennie, he does so "hopelessly." What
inference can you make about why George might feel hopeless when talking to Lennie? From
the conversation as the two men repose by the river pool, what do you learn about them?
✔✔George feels hopeless because he has probably given the same instructions may times. If we
can
assume that Lennie and George have traveled a lot together, we can also assume that there have
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