Of Mice and Men: Chapter 6

You ain’t fit to lick the

boots of no rabbit!

Put these images in the order in which they appear in the chapter

Ya crazy bastard

The Answers . . .

Ya crazy bastard

Name That Quote

• ‘Now what the hell ya suppose is eatin’ them two guys?’

• ‘We got each other, that’s what, that gives a hoot in hell about us.’

• ‘All the time he coulda had such a good time if it wasn’t for you.’

• Well, he’s sick of you. He’s gonna beat hell outta you an’ then go away an’ leave you.’

• Suggest the significance of the following early features of Chapter 6: - the water snake - the heron

• How is Lennie compared to animal on p.140? Compare this to the way he moves in Chapter 1. How do you account for the difference?

• How would you describe the atmosphere at the very beginning of the chapter, before the arrival of Lennie? Support your answer with quotations from the text.

Aunt Clara and The Rabbit

Aunt Clara• Draw a sketch of how you

imagine Aunt Clara to look, based on her description in the text.

• How does Aunt Clara talk to Lennie? Use quotes.

• Might Aunt Clara represent something else?

The Rabbit• Draw a sketch of how you

imagine the gigantic rabbit to look, based on its description in the text.

• How does the rabbit talk to Lennie? Use quotes

• Why do you think Steinbeck chose a rabbit to appear to Lennie just before his death?

The End for George and Lennie

• How does George prepare Lennie for his death? How does Lennie feel just before he dies?

• Does Lennie deserve to die? Was George left with no choice but to kill his life-long companion? Give reasons for your answer.

• How do you think George feels about Lennie’s death? Do you think he’ll manage without him?

• How does Steinbeck use language to make this an engaging end to the novel?

• How does Steinbeck build up to Lennie’s death in Chapter 6? • How does Steinbeck engage our sympathy in the final

exchange between George and Lennie?

Think of an alternative end for th

e novel. In

your books, describe what happens in your

version of the sto

ry, and then share it with

the rest of th

e group.

Consolidating Your

Understanding

1. What are the main events of the chapter?

2. What do you consider to be the most important event of the chapter and why?

3. How does this chapter show us about George and Lennie’s friendship?

Topics for Discussion and Presentation

1. Steinbeck’s use of symbols in Of Mice and Men.2. The role of women in Of Mice and Men.3. The major themes in Of Mice and Men.4. ‘The best-laid schemes o’mice and men, Gang aft

agley.’ Discuss, with reference to George, Lennie, Candy and Curley’s Wife.

5. The effect of the chronological structure of the story, and how it might otherwise have been written.

6. ‘Of Mice and Men is not just a story about good and bad people.’ Discuss.