“Of Mice and Men”

Chapter Two Reading Comprehension

Name ______Date ______

1.  Use the line below to create a timeline of the events of chapter two. Include at least five events in your timeline.

2.  The bunkhouse is described in great detail in the first paragraph. Sketch out what the bunkhouse looks like, paying close attention to the items listed, and where they are located. (Don’t worry if you are not an artist! This is about your ability to read and understand what is being described, not your artistic ability.)

3.  Steinbeck introduces the reader to a variety of characters in this selection. Use the chart below to explain what he reveals about the various characters’ personalities and what techniques he uses to reveal them (e.g. physical descriptions, dialogue, actions, possessions, etc.)

Character / Personality Traits / How the author reveals them
Candy (the swamper/old man)
Curley (bosses son)
Curley’s wife (not named)
Slim (the skinner, driver of a team of mules)

4.  When interviewing George and Lennie, the boss becomes suspicious of George. The boss asks him, “What stake you got in this guy? You takin’ his pay away from him?” George is not doing that—so why do you think he does stay with Lennie and take care of him?

5.  Steinbeck uses foreshadowing to great effect in this chapter, dropping clues that something bad might happen at the ranch. Even without knowing what is being foreshadowed, you can still locate statements that characters make which speak to current fears and possible future events. Find and record three examples of foreshadowing. (Hint: Look on pages 26,27,29,30, 33,37.)

Example 1:

Example 2:

Example 3:

6. As with chapter one, continue to track the “interior life” of George and Lennie. What concerns, thoughts, opinions, feelings, etc. does each have about their new situation and the people they have met? Draw pictures or use words to indicate these things. You may include direct quotes from the text.