Of Mice and Men
English 1 Accelerated Mr.Wm.T.Fulton Chapter 2 Study Guide Name: ______________________________ Date: __________ Period(s): __________ NOTE: All page numbers refer to the Penguin Books edition, 1993. Summary: George and Lennie arrive at the ranch. Vocabulary Directions: The following is a list of terms you may or may not recognize. The original sentences and page numbers are provided. In the “Vocabulary Defined” section, define the terms that are blank. Research will be necessary for some terms. "The bunk house was a long, rectangular building (p. 17)." "Against the walls were eight bunks, five of them made up with blankets and the other three showing their burlap ticking (p. 17)." "And there were medicines on the shelves, and little vials (p. 17)..." " 'Says 'positively kills lice, roaches and other scourges' (p. 18) ' " "The old swamper shifted his broom...(p. 18)." " '...last guy that had this bed was a blacksmith...(p. 18).' " " 'Then how come he got graybacks (p. 18)?' " " 'I ain't so sure," said George skeptically (p. 19)." "...he rubbed his bristly white whiskers with his knuckles (p. 19)." "George lifted his tick and looked underneath it (p. 19)." "...his liniment and leather wristband (p. 19)." " 'An' he give the stable buck hell, too (p. 19).' " "A little stocky man stood in the open doorway (p. 20)." "On his head was a soiled brown Stetson hat...(p. 20)." "...he wore high-­‐heeled boots and spurs to prove he was not a laboring man (p. 20)." "The boss squinted his eyes (p. 21)." " 'Well, I had to send out the grain teams short two buckers (p. 21).' " "He pulled his time book out of his pocket and opened it where a pencil was stuck between the leaves (p. 21)." "George scowled at him...(p. 22)." " 'He can rassel grain bags, drive a cultivator (p. 22).' " "He can put up a four hundred pound bale (p. 22).' " " 'Well, God knows he don't need any brains to buck barley bags (pp. 22-­‐23).' " " 'We...we was diggin' a cesspool (p. 23).' " " 'Go on out with the grain teams after dinner (p. 23).' " "He turned abruptly and went to the door...(p. 23)." " 'Be a damn good thing if you was,' George said viciously (p. 23).' " "He stopped suddenly, stepped to the open front door and peered out (p. 24)." "And at his heels there walked a dragfooted sheep dog, gray of muzzle...(p. 24)." "The dog struggled lamely to the side of the room and lay down, grunting softly to himself and licking his grizzled, moth-­‐
eaten coat (p. 24)." " 'I don't like nobody to get nosey (p. 24).' " " 'Damn right he don't,' said George, slightly mollified...(p. 24)." "...he rubbed his white bristled cheek with his knuckles (p. 24)." "His glance was at once calculating and pugnacious (p. 25)." "Lennie squirmed under the look...(p. 25)." "Curley stepped gingerly close to him (p. 25)." "Curley lashed his body around (p. 25)." "Curley stared levelly at him (p. 26)." " 'Curley's pretty handy...He's a lightweight...(p. 26).' " "He said ominously, 'Well, he better watch out for Lennie...(p. 27)' " " 'He'd slough me (p. 27).' " " 'Seems like Curley is cockier'n ever since he got married (p. 27).' " "He had drawn a derogatory statement from George (p. 27)." "George cut the cards again and put out a solitaire lay...(p. 28)." " 'Slim's a jerkline skinner (p. 28).' " " 'Well, I think Curley's married...a tart (p. 28).' " "A sound of jingling harness and the croak of heavy-­‐laden axles sounded from outside (p. 29)." "...drag of brakes and jingle of trace chains (p. 30)." "She had full, rouged lips...(p. 31)." "She wore a cotton house dress and red mules, on the insteps of which were little bouquets of red ostrich feathers (p. 31)." "...though she did not seem to be looking at Lennie she bridled a little (p. 31)." "George said brusquely, 'Well he ain't now (p. 31).' " "She smiled archly and twitched her body (p. 31)." "She was suddenly apprehensive (p. 32)." " 'Jesus, what a tramp,' he said (p. 32)." "Lennie tried to disengage his ear (p. 32)." "...and we might hit a pocket (p. 33).' " "He was capable of killing a fly on the wheeler's butt...(p. 33)." "His hatchet face was ageless (p. 33)." "His hands, large and lean, were as delicate in their action as those of a temple dancer (p. 34)." "Lennie...smiled complacently at the compliment (p. 34)." "His head still dripped water from the scrubbing and dousing (p. 35)." " 'Meant to ask you, Slim -­‐-­‐ how's your bitch (p. 35)?" " 'Some kinda shepherds, I guess (p. 35).' " "Carlson stepped back to let Slim precede him...(p. 36)." Vocabulary Defined abruptly (adv.): suddenly; almost rudely apprehensive (adj.): anxious; fearful archly (adv.): playfully axles (n.): bars connecting two opposite wheels bale (n.): a large bundle of something that has been compressed and tied together. Grains such as hay, wheat, and barley are often made into bales after they're harvested. barley (n.): a type of cereal grass. The grain from the barley plant is often used for making malts and for animal feed. bitch (n.): a female dog blacksmith (n.): a person who works with iron, especially in the making of horseshoes. bridled (v.): to pull one's head back in anger or pride; especially when one feels one has been offended bristled (adj.): stiff and prickly bristly (adj.): stiff and prickly brusquely (adv.): _____________________________________________________________________________________ buckers (n.): people who buck grain bags bunk house (n): _______________________________________________________________________________________ bunks (n): beds burlap (n.): a coarse, inexpensive, woven fabric; often used for making grain sacks calculating (adj.): shrewd; scheming cesspool (n.): _________________________________________________________________________________________ cockier (adj.): To be cocky is to be conceited, overbearing, and aggressive. complacently (adv.): in a pleased, satisfied manner cultivator (n.): a large farm machine used for cultivation (the preparation of the earth for planting). derogatory (adj.): ______________________________________________________________________________________ dinner (n.): the major meal of the day. In this case, dinner is served in the middle of the day. disengage (v.): free dousing (n): to douse is to be drenched with liquid. A dousing refers to someone having been covered with a liquid, in this case water, during a washing. dragfooted (adj.) lame; dragging a lame foot gingerly (adv.): in a careful, cautious way grain teams (n): A team is two or more horses harnessed to a wagon or other drawn vehicle. Grain teams would be the teams (horses and wagons) used to haul grain in from the fields. graybacks (n.): lice; parasites. Lice are small, wingless insects that live off the blood of other animals. grizzled (adj.): gray handy (adj.): clever with one's hands; especially, in this case, in terms of fighting harness (n.): the leather straps and metal pieces by which a horse or mule is fastened to a vehicle. hatchet face (n): a lean, sharp face heavy-­‐laden (adj.) heavily loaded insteps (n.): the parts of the shoes between the toe and the ankle jerkline skinner (n.): ____________________________________________________________________________________ laboring (adj.): working, particularly work that involves physical labor. lamely (adv.): _________________________________________________________________________________________ lashed (v.): swung around quickly lean (adj.): thin leaves (n.): pages levelly (adv.): Something that is level is flat and horizontal. To stare at someone levelly is to stare at that person straight on -­‐-­‐ not looking up nor down. lice (n.): ______________________________________________________________________________________________ lightweight (n.): a boxer who weighs between 127 -­‐ 135 pounds liniment (n.): __________________________________________________________________________________________ mollified (adj.): soothed; pacified mules (n): a type of shoe or slipper than does not cover the heal. muzzle (n.): the projecting part (the part that sticks out) of a dogs head that includes the mouth, nose, and jaw. nosey (adj.): nosy. A nosey person is one who tends to pry into the business of others. ominously (adv.): ______________________________________________________________________________________ peered (v.): To peer is to look closely or squint at something to see it more clearly. pocket (n.): in this instance, a pocket would be a hollow or cavity in the land filled with gold ore precede (v.): go before or ahead of pugnacious (adj.): eager and ready to fight rectangular (adj.): A rectangle is a shape that is longer than it is wide. The rectangular bunk house is a building that is longer than it is wide. rouged (adj.): colored red, as with lipstick scourges (n.): a scourge is anything that inflicts discomfort or suffering; in this case, any variety of insects and pests scowled (v.): __________________________________________________________________________________________ sheep dog (n.): a breed of dog trained to herd sheep. shepherds (n.): dogs bred to herd sheep. skeptically (adv.): To be skeptical is doubt or question something. George is doubting that the bunk house, and especially his mattress, is really clean slough (v): get rid of soiled (adj.): dirty; stained solitaire lay (n): Solitaire is a one-­‐person game of cards. A solitaire lay is the set up of the cards at the beginning of the game. spurs (n.): sharp, pointed metal devices worn on the heels of a boots, used to urge on horses when riding. squinted (v.): To squint one's eyes is to look or peer with the eyes partly closed or narrowed. squirmed (v.): twisted and turned; wriggled stable buck (n.): a stable is a building where horses are kept. A buck, in this case, is a derogatory word for a black man. A staple buck, then, would be a black man who works in a stable. stocky (adj.): heavily and solidly built swamper (n.): a handyman; someone who performs odd jobs often involving cleaning tart (n.) a woman of loose morals; one who is prone to be sexually unfaithful tick (n.) mattress covering ticking (n.): the cloth case for a mattress. In this instance, the cloth case was made from burlap. time book (n): a book used to record the hours of workers trace chains (n): the chains that connect a horse's harness to a vehicle tramp (n.): ____________________________________________________________________________________________ vials (n.): small bottles viciously (adv.): cruelly; in a mean way wheeler (n.): the horse harnessed nearest to the front wheels of a vehicle Allusions "On his head was a soiled brown Stetson hat...(p. 20)." " 'You got your work slips (p. 21)?' " " 'Well, that glove's fulla vaseline (p. 27).' " " 'An' I bet he's eatin' raw eggs and writin' to the patent medicine houses (p. 32).' " " '...we'll shove off and go up the American River and pan gold (p. 33).' " "His hands, large and lean, were as delicate in their action as those of a temple dancer (p. 34)." Allusions Defined American River: a river in Northern California that runs past Auburn, through Sacramento, and flows into the Sacramento River. eatin' raw eggs: It's thought by some that eating raw eggs can increase strength and, especially in men, sexual performance and stamina. pan gold: a method of obtaining gold by using a pan to sift it out from other rocks and minerals that might flow through a river or stream. Stetson hat: a western style hat. temple dancer: a dancer from India or other Southeast Asian countries, known for the delicate movements of the hands and body. vaseline: the brand name for petroleum jelly; a greasy, jelly-­‐like substance made from petroleum. Among its other uses, Vaseline is often used as a lubricant (softener) for the skin. work slips: the work cards given to Lennie and George by an employment agency writin' to the patent medicine houses: Patent medicines are medications that can be purchased without a doctor's prescription and often through the mail. Some of these medicines would claim to increase sexual performance. Idioms " 'He was sore as hell when you wasn't here to go out this morning (p. 18).' " " 'We don't want no pants rabbits (p. 18).' " " 'Drink hearty boys (p. 20).' " " 'I ain't got the poop no more (p. 20).' " " 'Bus driver give us a bum steer...(p. 21).' " " 'He can rassel grain bags...(p. 22).' " " 'I said what stake you got in this guy (p. 22)?' " " 'I told his old lady I'd take care of him (p. 22).' " " 'You was gonna leave your big flapper shut and leave me do the talkin' (p. 23).' " " 'You was pokin' your big ears into our business...(p. 24).' " " 'Seen my old man (p. 25)?' " " 'Say, what the hell's he got on his shoulder (p. 26)?' " " 'He done quite a bit in the ring (p. 26).' " " 'He's alla time picking scraps with big guys (p. 26).' " " 'You seen guys like that, ain't you? Always scrappy (p. 26)?' " " 'Ever'body says what a game guy Curley is. And s'pose he does the same thing and gets licked (p. 26).' " " '...and maybe they gang up on the big guy (p. 26).' " " 'Won't ever get canned 'cause his old man's the boss (p. 27).'" " 'Well -­‐-­‐ she got the eye (p. 28).' " " 'Maybe that's why Curley's pants is full of ants (p. 28).' " " 'If he tangles with you, Lennie, we're gonna get the can (p. 29).' " " 'Well, that won't do you no good if Curley wants to plug himself up for a fighter (p. 29).' " " 'Bet she'd clear out for twenty bucks (p. 32).' " " 'I seen 'em poison before, but I never seen no piece of jail bait worse than her (p. 32).' " " '...she's a rattrap if I ever seen one (p. 32).' " " 'You let Curley take the rap (p. 32).' " " 'For two bits I'd shove out of here (p. 33).' " " 'If we can get jus' a few dollars in the poke we'll shove off...(p. 33).' " " 'She slang her pups last night...(p. 35).' " " 'That's the most kind I seen around here when she was in heat (p. 35).' " Idioms Defined bum steer: bum, in this instance, means false or erroneous. A bum steer is false information or directions. canned: fired clear out: leave for good done quite a bit in the ring: The ring here refers to a boxing ring. Candy is making a reference to the fact that Curley has done some boxing. Drink hearty: in other words, "Drink up, drink well, have a good time!" flapper: mouth game: courageous gang up: attack as a group get the can: get fired got the eye: Candy is referring to the fact that, instead of being faithful to her husband, Curley's wife tends to look around at other men. in heat: For a female animal (in this case, a dog), to be in heat (also known as estrus) is to be in a state of sexual excitement when she will accept mating from a male. jail bait: a girl below the legal age of consent for sex; an underage girl who tempts a man to sexual intimacy which is punishable by imprisonment licked: beat; loses the fight old lady: mother, or, in this case, Lennie's Aunt Clara. old man: in this case, father pants is full of ants: To have "ants in one's pants" is to be nervous and restless. pants rabbits: any type of parasites, such as lice; especially those that might affect the genital area picking scraps: A scrap is a fight or argument. To pick a scrap is to provoke fights or quarrels. plug himself up for a fighter: to "plug oneself up" is to advertise or display oneself; to boast. George is referring to the fact that Curley may want to prove what a good fighter he is by going after Lennie. poison: A woman who is poison is one who can only mean trouble, especially to a man. poke: A poke is a wallet or purse. Poke also refers to money; especially all the money one has. pokin' your big ears into our business: eavesdropping; listening in, uninvited, on a private conversation poop: energy; desire rassel: lift, carry, and handle; especially something heavy and awkward rattrap: a rattrap is a hopeless situation; one that no good can come from. George is warning Lennie to stay away from Curley's wife because getting involved with her would only result in a bad situation. scrappy: aggressive; fond of fighting and arguing shove off: leave shove out of here: get out of here slang her pups: gave birth to her pups sore as hell: extremely angry take the rap: take the blame; be the one who gets into trouble tangles: fights; argues two bits: a quarter; twenty-­‐five cents what stake you got in this guy: In this case, a stake is an interest (financial, personal, etc.) in a person or thing. The boss is asking George what interest he has in Lennie. what the hell's he got on his shoulder: This refers to the expression "to have a chip on one's shoulder," which is used to describe someone who is bad tempered, easily angered, or always ready for a fight. George is wondering why Curley seems so bad tempered. Directions: Respond to the following questions appropriately. What are some good and bad points about living in a bunkhouse? How would you feel about living in the bunkhouse? Good Points Bad Points How would you feel? A person’s reactions to situations in life often reveal his attitudes, concerns, and personality traits. When George and Lennie arrive at the ranch, there are three contrasting reactions to the seemingly strange pair of men traveling together. Describe how each of the following characters react and what you think it says about who they are. The Boss: _____________________________________________________________________________________________ What does this say about him? ____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Curley: _______________________________________________________________________________________________ What does this say about him? ____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Slim: _________________________________________________________________________________________________ What does this say about him? ____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Without prior knowledge, what might you think about the two men travelling together? ____________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Why does George not want Lennie to speak to the boss? ______________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Explain the irony of Lennie’s last name. ____________________________________________________________________ Consider Steinbeck’s description of Curley. Notice how Curley’s body language conveys his feelings. His eyes passed over the new men and he stopped. He glanced coldly at George and then at Lennie. His arms gradually bent at the elbows and his hands closed into fists. He stiffened and went into a slight crouch. Do you think Curley was aware of his physical reaction? Circle one. YES NO How often do you think people are aware of their own body language? Explain. __________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Give an example of a time when the body language of someone else determined how you interacted with that person. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ What are some things we learn about Curley’s wife? __________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ How might some of these characteristics come into play later in the story? _______________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ the ven diagram, Using 3 specific references write the novel that from describe Slim; then, in the middle, include the name of a person you know that fits the description.