| Lennie is unsuspecting that he is about to die just like the little water snake. The water is calm, the sycamore tree is modeled, there were dead leaves, its is peaceful. | The novel ends where it began, in the clearing by the river. What is the atmosphere established by the description at the beginning of the final section? |
| Lennie is having a mental breakdown. He speaks for her. She is reprimanding him. He remembers her words of warning, listen to George he is trying to take care of you. He is beating himself up. | What is the purpose of Aunt Clara’s appearance in Lennie’s mind’s eye? |
| He is more worried about the rabbits and the farm, jail and the death penalty does not enter his mind. | What does Lennie fear his punishment will be? |
| He was fussing at Lennie saying he can’t tend the rabbits, he can’t take care of them. It spoke it Lennie’s voice. | Why does the giant rabbit appear to Lennie? |
| He loves Lennie, and he wants him to look forward. He is struggling because he knows he is about to kill Lennie. George was trying to do a nice thing. Kind of like Candy and his dog. | Why does George struggle with the description of the farm when Lennie asks him to recite it to him there on the riverbank? |
| To be there to support George and his decision. To help George get through it. | What is Slim’s role at the end of the story? |
| Carlson comes up with an acceptable story line that everyone believes. | What is the significance of Carlson asking George if Lennie had his gun and supplying the story that George wrestled the gun away from Lennie and shot him. |
| Carlson has no compassion, he shot the dog. It is not in his character to understand that. They don’t understand friendship. | When George – obviously upset – and Slim go for a drink, Carlson remarks, “Now what the hell ya suppose is eatin’ them two guys?” Why doesn’t he understand? |
Of Mice and Men Ch. 6
April 27, 2020