Chapter 3

Three things we
have already been
told about Weed in
Chapters 1 and 2?
 Learning Objectives:

• To analyse how Steinbeck has structured events in Chapter 3 and the

wider novella
• To develop our understanding of key characters
• To understand how the novel reflects its social and historical context
 Chapter 3 – p64-69
1) How does George’s description of what happened between Lennie
and the girl in Weed (p67-8) do the following:
• convey key aspects of Lennie’s character?
• link to George and Lennie’s current situation?
• foreshadow future events?

2) What does Slim’s response to the incident convey about his

character?

3) Why does Steinbeck follow this conversation with Lennie entering

the bunkhouse with his pup? What could be being foreshadowed
here?
 Chapter 3 – p69-76
The shooting of Candy’s dog is a key event in the novel and
each character's reaction to the idea and the incident is
significant.

Complete the table with “quotes” and notes, do this

electronically (document attached). You can print this later
for your notes.
 Chapter 3 – p76-80
What does the conversation between George and Whit
about Curley’s Wife and the two brothels reveal about the
role and rights of women in 1930s America?

Record notes and quotes ready to feedback.

Extension: Look up any unfamiliar vocabulary and annotate

your text. There’s lots of negative language about women
and the place they are talking about is a brothel (where
men go to have sex with prostitutes).
 Chapter 3 – p80-89
• Which aspects of George and Lennie’s dream are so
appealing to Candy – why does he decide to ‘buy into’ it?

• What aspects of George and Lennie’s dream reflect the

idea of ‘the American Dream’?

• Candy says, “I ought to have shot that dog myself, George.”

Why? What is he feeling at this point in the narrative?

• Steinbeck writes, “This thing they had never really believed

in was coming true.” As a reader, what are our expectations
for the dream now becoming a reality? Justify your answer.
 Chapter 3 – p89-94
• Steinbeck uses language to present Lennie as a victim in this
episode. How? Find and record quotes. Why? Discuss and
record your ideas.

• George tells Lennie to ‘Get im Lennie’ but he also tells him to

‘Leggo his hand Lennie’. What reasons does George have for
both supporting and opposing Lennie’s behavior here?

• Curley is compared to three different animals in this episode,

find and record these quotes, together with what they suggest
about Curley.

• Why does Curley agree at the end to ‘not tell’?

Begin revision notes for this text:

You may want to start from the back of your book.

Use the ideas on the next slide to set out your notes (if you
prefer to do electronic notes on your ipad you can.)
Complete for what you know about the novel so far –
chapters 1 – 3.
Writing task:

How does Steinbeck present parallels between Candy and

his dog so far in Of Mice and Men?
 Organisation suggestions
A. Dedicate one page to each of the following

1) Context and background

2) Section 1
3) Section 2
4) Section 3
5) Section 4 & Crooks Note pages:
B. Or just separate
6) Section 5 & Curley’s Wife
character pages In your exercise book or
7) Section 6
And then extra pages for on ONE NOTE.
8) George
notes… etc.
9) Lennie
10)Candy
11)Curley
12)Slim
13)Themes: so far: dreams, loneliness, friendship, (maybe leave space for more)
14)Language & Structure
15)Exam Revision
16)Extra Notes