Monishka Tanwani
English 9H Period 7
December 8, 2019
Of Mice And Men
Page #  Quotations  Commentary/Analysis
25 1. ​Select one quote that shows the development
of a major or minor character.
“a thin young man with a brown face, with
brown eyes and a head of tightly curled hair.
He wore a work glove on his left hand, and,
like the boss, he wore high-heeled boots...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. His glance was at once
calculating and pugnacious. Lennie squirmed
under the look and shifted his feet nervously.”
90 - 91 2. ​Select one quote that comes from the
climactic moment of the story.
“Lennie’s big fingers fell to stroking her hair.
‘Don’t you muss it up,’ she said...She jerked
her head sideways, and Lennie’s fingers closed
on her hair and hung on. ‘Let go,’ she cried.
‘You let go!’ Lennie was in a panic. His face
was contorted. She screamed then, and Lennie’s
other hand closed over her mouth and nose.
‘Please don’t,’ he begged...She struggled
violently under his hands. Her feet battered on
the hay and she writhed to be free; and from
under Lennie’s hand came a muffled screaming.
Lennie began to cry with fright...And she
continued to struggle and her eyes were wild
with terror. He shook her then, and he was
angry with her. ‘Don’t you go yellin’,’ he said,
and he shook her; and her body flopped like a
fish.”
42 3. ​Select one quote that relates to the overall
theme of the story.
“‘Hell, no. He just scared her. I’d be scared too
if he grabbed me. But he never hurt her. He
jus’ wanted to touch that red dress, like he
wants to pet them pups all the time.’ ‘He ain’t
 
 
1. ​What does this quote show about the character?
What might the author be trying to show with this
character?
This quote is describing Curley, a character in the
book Of Mice and Men. This quote creates a
feeling of intimidation among readers and arouses
negative suspicion of this character. Through this
quote, I think the author is trying to foreshadow
bad conflict between Lennie and Curley. Readers
can infer this because of the way the author
describes Curley’s “calculating and pugnacious”
look and Lennie’s nervous reaction.
2. ​What is the climax of the story? How does this
quote relate? Why is it significant?
This quote is from the climactic moment of the
story. The climax of this story is just before
Curley’s wife dies. It is just after Curley’s wife
convinces Lennie to start stroking her hair(and
then Lennie doesn’t let go and puts his other hand
over her mouth and nose, when she struggles and
screams under his powerful grip), just before
Lennie breaks her neck and she dies. The reason
the climax is just before Curley’s wife dies when
she is still struggling against Lennie is because
this is the most suspenseful moment of the story,
where Lennie can still turn back and not kill her.
The majority of this passage is actually still rising
action, because it is building suspense towards the
climax. Only the last three sentences, when
Curley’s wife is still struggling, just before her
death are part of the climactic moment.
3. ​What is the theme of the story? How does the
quote demonstrate that theme?
This story has many themes. One theme of the
story that I found is ​People with mental disorders
don’t always have mean intentions. It is important
to understand how their brain works before
deciding what kinds of consequences they
 mean,’ said Slim. ‘I can tell a mean guy a mile
off.’
68 4. ​Select any quote that stands out to you and
reflect on it.
“‘Well, I got a right to have a light. You go on
get outta my room.’ ‘Why ain’t you wanted?’
Lennie asked. ‘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, you all
of you stink to me.’”
87 5.​Select any quote that stands out to you and
reflect on it.
“‘Well, he said if I done any more bad things
he ain’t gonna let me tend the rabbits.’ She
moved closer to him and she spoke soothingly.
‘Don’t you worry about talking to me…’ ‘If
George see me talkin to you he’ll give you
hell,’ Lennie said cautiously...Her face grew
angry. ‘What’s the matter with me?’ she cried.
‘Ain’t I got a right to talk to nobody?’”
deserve.​ This quote shows that Lennie, a character
with a mental disorder in ​Of Mice and Men​, is not
a mean person and doesn’t have any bad
intentions.
4. ​Why did you select this quote? How does it
relate to the story as a whole? Why might it be
significant?
I selected this quote because it brings out another
lesson that I learnt from this story. I was touched
by the fact that Lennie didn’t even take into
consideration the fact that Crooks was black and
treated him with equal respect. I was also glad that
Crooks understood that Lennie was a nice person
and let him into his room. This quote is significant
because it brings out awareness about racism and
people with mental disorders.
5.​Why did you select this quote? How does it
relate to the story as a whole? Why might it be
significant?
I have mixed feelings about this quote. I feel very
bad for Lennie because Curley’s wife pulled him
into his harmful actions, but I also feel bad for
Curley’s wife because she isn’t given that much
respect throughout the book. This quote is
significant because helps aware the issue of
women’s rights and also creates sympathy for
Lennie, bringing up the issue of mental disorders.