2.  Lennie’s surname is Small  George’s surname is Milton  Curley  Slim  Crooks

3.  Lennie’s surname is Small : this is ironic due to his size. “Small” may be a slight on his intelligence, capturing the lack of understanding/knowledge of his condition at the time; thinking of him as having a “small” brain.  George’s surname is Milton : In contrast, this is a proper formal surname which captures George’s nature and makes a more realistic character or everyman.  Curley: Just like his Curley hair; he’s like a wound up spring... Tense, tight and ready to POP!!!  Slim: Tall and elegant, this character demands respect and is held in high esteem by the rest of the ranch hands. This challenges the idea that these itinerant men were all stupid.  Crooks; most likely links to his Crooked back... Insulting as that is, he’s rarely called Crooks as most men refer to him as “Nigger” Expand and Explore Candy, Curley, Crooks, Slim: Do you think these were the names given to these characters by their parents? If not, what does this suggest???

4.  Curley’s wife strives for attention and recognition but she is never identified as anything other than the wife (property) of Curley (check out that possessive apostrophe!!!) ?????????????????? WHY ???????????????????  Candy’s Dog also doesn’t have a name; Why??  What is the connection between these two???  Who is in control of them and their fate???

5.  Soledad is the local town – in Spanish it means “solitude” or “loneliness”. Why????  Who are the couples/pairs in the book? Do they stay together?? Why / Why not???  Weed is the place George and Lennie are running from a “bad thing”: A weed is a plant you don’t want, it deprives pretty plants of light, space and water – how does this work in terms of George and Lennie’s story???