| 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? | The story has come full circle, ending in a peaceful, quiet place by a river |
| What is the purpose of Aunt Clara’s appearance in Lennie’s mind’s eye? | She is a symbol of Lennie scolding himself for doing something wrong |
| What does Lennie fear his punishment will be? | He won’t be able to take care of the rabbits on the farm. Lennie doesn’t understand that the punishment for killing someone will be very serious |
| Why does the giant rabbit appear to Lennie? | The rabbit shows that Lennie understands that he’s done a “very bad thing” but doesn’t understand his punishment could be death |
| Why does George struggle with the description of the farm, when Lennie asks him to recite it to him there, on the river bank? | George has made up his mind that he will kill Lennie, his best friend, to save him from being imprisoned or killed; it is final act of responsibility for Lennie |
| What is Slim’s role at the end of the story? | Slim acts as George’s conscience, letting him know that he understands George killed Lennie to save him from greater suffering |
| 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? | It gives George the ability to “save face” with the other men, rather than admit to a mercy killing of Lennie |
| When George — obviously upset — and Slim go for a drink, Carlson remarks, “Now what the hell ya suppose is up with those guys?” | Carlson figures George is still going to have to pay for killing Lennie, even though is appears to him to have been accidental. He doesn’t understand why Slim is taking George for a drink, rather than having him arrested |
Of Mice and Men (Chapter 6)
April 28, 2020