Chapter 1

As you read, use context clues and any prior knowledge to determine the meaning of the
following words. The page numbers where you can find the words in the text are included in
parenthesis, but we use a different version – so add 3 to all of the page numbers. Refer to a
dictionary if necessary.

Chapter 1: Vocabulary

Junctures (1) The act of two things being joined

Debris (1) Loose fragments accumulating, gathering
Mottled (1) Marked with spots of color
Skittering (1) To skim along a surface, move lightly or rapidly
Sycamore (2) A type of tree, develops fruits that look like wings
Blanket roll (2) A sleeping bag rolled in a sylinder
Morosely (4) Expressive of gloom
Work cards (5) Like an identity card that shows if a person is able to work
Despair (5) In complete loss
Resignedly (6) With reingestion and acceptance
Triumphantly (7) Great joy over victory
Bucking (8) Resist, become more cheerful
Brusquely (9) Blunt in a manner of speech
Contemplated (9) Thought about a matter, trying to decide
Imperiously (9) Arrogant assurance, domeneering
Litter (10) To throw trash a place it is not supposed to be
Irrigation ditch (12) Manmade channels that deliver water to homes ect.
Chapter 1: Study questions

1. Identify and give a physical description of Lennie and George using information
from the text.
a. George: wore denim, small, quick, restless eyes, sharp features, slender arms,
bony nose, strong hands
b. Lennie: wore denim, huge, shapeless of face, large and pale eyes, broad
shoulders, hanging arms, heavy walk

2. Examine Lennie's use of language and thinking. At what approximate age level is
he functioning?

It seems like George har some kind of authority over Lennie. Lennie himself gives off
childishness. In contrast his size and looks, he is quite soft and enjoys petting soft things
like mice and rabbits. He is functioning like a child, following George´s orders and
repeating what is being said.

3. What trouble did George and Lennie have in Weed? Explain the connection
between Lennie's mouse and what happened in Weed?

In Weed Lennie touched a girl’s dress and wouldn´t let go. He got accused of assaulting
her and George and Lennie left Weed. Lennie likes to stroke soft things, so he kept a
mouse he found. When George found out that he had kept the mouse, he got mad and
asked Lennie to leave it but Lennie didn´t want to let go. A similar situation to Weed.
Lennie sees something that he likes and gets attached.

4. What does the dead mouse in Lennie's pocket reveal about him?

Firstly, it reveals that he doesn´t realize how strong he is by killing the mouse. Second, he
lied to George about having the mouse in the first place, so that wouldn´t stop him from
lying in other cases. Lennie is clearly obsessed with the destruction of soft and innocent
things.

5. Why does George urge Lennie to remain quiet when they meet the boss at the
ranch where they'll be working?

George wants Lennie to keep quiet because he doesn´t want them to get in trouble again.
Lennie would be highly likely to say something wrong or stupid that could make the boss
think less of them both, since they´re traveling together. Also, I think that George wouldn
´t want Lennie to define him as a person.

6. George bursts into a long speech about what he could do if he were alone. What
could he do?
 If George was alone, he could live easily and maybe even have a girl. He would work with
no trouble and go to town on a Saturday evening and to whatever he would like.

7. Why are George and Lennie different from the other "guys like us that work on
ranches"?

Other guys that work at ranches don´t stick together, they work alone some time and
then move, whilst George and Lennie are always sticking together.

8. What dream to George and Lennie share?

Both George and Lennie want to move together into a little house, tending rabbits and
other animals and with a garden. Most importantly, not work for anyone else than
themselves, so they could keep some resources and sell others.

9. Before they go to sleep, George tells Lennie to hide in the bush near their
campsite and wait for him to come if he gets into any trouble. This is an example
of foreshadowing. What prediction can readers draw from George's
instructions?

I think that George has a feeling that something bad might happen, hence why he is
giving these instructions to Lennie. I think that Lennie is going to need that bush because
something will have to go wrong.

10. Why does Steinbeck describe Lennie in animalistic terms? What animals is
Lennie compared to in this chapter? Explain why Steinbeck might have made that
choice.

The author might have described Lennie with animalistic terms because that’s how
others see him. He is huge and stronger than the average man, so he is described as big
animals because that´s how he´s seen and most people are afraid of those animals.
Lennie has been compared to a bear in the way that he walks or a horse when he drinks
water.