Emerging Ideas In John Steinbeck's 'Of Mice And Men'

Emerging Ideas are events, images or particular words that reoccur in the novel. Explain the instance. Explore your ideas of why the author may bring this idea up again and again. Include a quote (with a page number) for these ideas you find. You should have at least FIVE.

1. In chapter 1, George tells Lennie where to go if he ever runs into trouble at his new job. “’Lennie- if you jus’ happen to get in trouble like you always done before, I want you to come right here an’ hide in the brush.’” (15) The reason Steinbeck brings this up so often throughout the novel is so that the reader knows that Lennie needs to be told what to do because he is so ‘simple minded’. This location is also the last setting of the novel.

2. George also speaks

In the same chapter, Crooks shows that he is segregated among the workers when he is talking to Lennie about why he can't be in the main bunkhouse. He says, "Cause I'm black. They play cards in there, but I can't play because I'm black. They say I stink. Well, I tell you, all of you stink to me."(68) Crooks is trying to show Lennie how unfair the segregation and racism is, especially in that last sentence. He is also trying to get him to see how the other workers think of Crooks because Lennie is so innocent he doesn’t understand why Crooks would be treated differently.

3. In chapter 6, after George shoots Lennie, Slim separates from the pack of workers and comforts George. "'Never you mind,' said Slim. 'A guy got to sometimes.'"(107) Slim is telling George that sometimes a person has to do something wrong for the good of humanity, no matter how hard it can be. This may have helped George deal with the psychological battle of killing his best friend.

4. In chapter 2, Slim talks about how George has a companion, "'Ain't many guys travel around together,' he mused. 'I don't know why. Maybe ever'body in the whole damn world is scared of each other.'" (35) This conversation could make George appreciate his friendship with Lennie and not take it for

On page 8, we see the first occurrence of George letting us know he thinks Lennie is a burden. Wouldn’t it be easier for him to just leave? Is the friendship that strong?

2. Why is the ‘farm story’- which is told by George throughout the book - so motivational for Lennie?

3. Why is Curley’s wife continuously flirting with men other than her husband throughout the novel? (77)

4. What was the significance of Lennie lying about the dead mouse on page 8?

5. Could most of the conflict be resolved if George simply made Lennie realize that he needs to take care of himself? If he reminded Lennie of his past could this have helped? (93)

6. Is George more upset about the action him shooting Lennie, or Lennie being dead? (107)

7. Is Candy having the dog shot supposed to foreshadow Lennie’s demise? Does Candy's decision represent what George will eventually