Study Guide: Of Mice and Men
1. Background Information
● Author: John Steinbeck
● Published: 1937
● Setting: California during the Great Depression
● Genre: Fiction, Tragedy
● Themes: Friendship, loneliness, the American Dream, power, and discrimination.
2. Plot Summary
The novel follows two displaced ranch workers, George Milton and Lennie Small, as they
navigate life during the Great Depression. George is small and sharp-witted, while Lennie is
large and mentally disabled. They dream of owning a farm where Lennie can care for rabbits.
However, their dream is thwarted by tragic circumstances.
Key Events:
1. Introduction: George and Lennie arrive at a new ranch after fleeing their previous job
due to Lennie's trouble.
2. Life on the Ranch: They meet characters like Curley (the boss’s aggressive son),
Curley’s wife, Slim (a kind and respected worker), and Candy (an old handyman with a
disabled dog).
3. The Dream Farm: Candy joins George and Lennie’s dream of buying land.
4. Conflict with Curley: Lennie crushes Curley’s hand during a fight.
5. Tragic Incident: Lennie accidentally kills Curley’s wife while trying to stroke her hair.
6. Climactic Ending: George, knowing Lennie will be killed by an angry mob, chooses to
shoot Lennie himself out of mercy.
3. Characters
1. George Milton: A protective friend to Lennie, intelligent, and pragmatic.
2. Lennie Small: Gentle but physically strong, has a mental disability, and loves soft
things.
3. Candy: An old ranch worker who fears being useless; his dog’s fate parallels Lennie’s.
4. Curley: Aggressive and insecure, always picking fights.
5. Curley’s Wife: Lonely and unnamed, seeks attention but is misunderstood.
6. Slim: Respected and empathetic, acts as a moral compass on the ranch.
1. Background Information
● Author: John Steinbeck
● Published: 1937
● Setting: California during the Great Depression
● Genre: Fiction, Tragedy
● Themes: Friendship, loneliness, the American Dream, power, and discrimination.
2. Plot Summary
The novel follows two displaced ranch workers, George Milton and Lennie Small, as they
navigate life during the Great Depression. George is small and sharp-witted, while Lennie is
large and mentally disabled. They dream of owning a farm where Lennie can care for rabbits.
However, their dream is thwarted by tragic circumstances.
Key Events:
1. Introduction: George and Lennie arrive at a new ranch after fleeing their previous job
due to Lennie's trouble.
2. Life on the Ranch: They meet characters like Curley (the boss’s aggressive son),
Curley’s wife, Slim (a kind and respected worker), and Candy (an old handyman with a
disabled dog).
3. The Dream Farm: Candy joins George and Lennie’s dream of buying land.
4. Conflict with Curley: Lennie crushes Curley’s hand during a fight.
5. Tragic Incident: Lennie accidentally kills Curley’s wife while trying to stroke her hair.
6. Climactic Ending: George, knowing Lennie will be killed by an angry mob, chooses to
shoot Lennie himself out of mercy.
3. Characters
1. George Milton: A protective friend to Lennie, intelligent, and pragmatic.
2. Lennie Small: Gentle but physically strong, has a mental disability, and loves soft
things.
3. Candy: An old ranch worker who fears being useless; his dog’s fate parallels Lennie’s.
4. Curley: Aggressive and insecure, always picking fights.
5. Curley’s Wife: Lonely and unnamed, seeks attention but is misunderstood.
6. Slim: Respected and empathetic, acts as a moral compass on the ranch.
