Friendship Unit Study Guide

Of Mice and Men

Part 1: Vocabulary Fill-in-the-Blank: You will fill in the blanks in each sentence using the one of the five words available for each section. All 25 of these words will be used.

Aloof:

Apprehension:

Belligerently:

Contemplated:

Contemptuously:

Craftily:

Derision:

Derogatory:

Dialect:

Droned:

Indignation:

Luger:

Mollified:

Monotonous:

Morosely:

Novella:

Ominously:

Pantomime:

Pugnacious:

Receptive:

Reprehensible:

Reverence:

Theme:

Woe:

Writhed:

Part 2: Steinbeck/Novel background: Short Answer

What year was John Steinbeck born?

Where was Steinbeck born?

What year did John Steinbeck die?

Where are many of Steinbeck’s most famous books set?

Name the four works of literature that Steinbeck grew up reading and listening to.

Where did Steinbeck work that helped to influence his writing?

Name the literature prize that was awarded to Steinbeck.

What types of people were Steinbeck’s more famous books about?

Steinbeck wrote books primarily about what two topics?

When is Of Mice and Men set? (I’m looking for a decade here)

In what American Era is Of Mice and Men set?

What are two of the American dreams during this era that are represented in this book?

What is unusual about George and Lennie in comparison to other migrant workers?

What is significant about Lennie’s character?

Part 3: Short Essays (You will choose 3 of 5) – I suggest that you practice writing this in advance!

Answer each question fully, using complete sentences and NEAT HANDWRITING. Each question is worth 5 points. I will be grading based on completion (fully answered question), quality (supported claim, evidence of reading), and textual support (specific examples from the novel).

The killing of Candy’s old dog foreshadowed Lennie’s death. Describe the two killings, pointing out any similarities and differences between them.

When all the other ranch hands go to town, Lennie, Crooks and Candy are left behind. Describe what each of these three do after the others leave, and explain what they have in common that causes them to be left out.

Many people in the novel suffer from disappointment. Choose any three of the following characters and discuss what reasons they have to be disappointed about their life: Crooks, Curley, George, Candy, Curley’s wife

George and Lennie are saved from the loneliness because, unlike the other workers, they have each other. How is the theme of friendship and loneliness explored within the novel?

“The best laid plans of mice and men often go astray.” Explain the significance of this line of poetry, on which Steinbeck based the title of the novel.

Part 4: Quotes of the Week, Extra Credit


You will complete this portion of the test on Tuesday, April 17th

Part 5: Long Essays (Assigned 1 of 4) [15 pts]

Answer your assigned essay fully, using complete sentences and NEAT HANDWRITING. The essay should contain 3 complete paragraphs.

I will be grading on the following:

·  Organization (Intro Sentence, Support, Concluding Sentence)

·  Completion (Fully answered)

·  Quality (Well-thought out, Supported Claim, Evidence of reading)

·  Text (Specific examples/support from novel)

37A. Explain the patterns of destruction that exist in this novel. You should address how destruction affects 3 of the following:

·  Pride

·  Dreams

·  Life

·  Friendship

37B. At the end of the novel, George shoots Lennie because he thinks it is the kindest thing he can do. Candy also realizes that he should have shot his dog himself for the same reason. How else are animals used in the novel to help develop the themes? You should write about 3 of the following:

·  The significance of the title

·  Lennie’s love of mice

·  The story about the rabbits

·  Lennie’s puppy

37C. Discuss the 3 levels of friendship (pleasant, useful, virtuous). What is significant about virtuous friendships? What type of friendship do you believe George and Lennie share and why? (Suggestion: 1 paragraph on pleasant and useful, 1 paragraph on virtuous, 1 paragraph on George and Lennie’s friendship)

37D. How are hopes and dreams important in the novel? You should write about:

·  The theme of the American Dream

·  The significance of George and Lennie’s dream

·  The hopes and dreams of other characters