1. Of Mice and Men
Notes
Chapter 2

2. Characterization Additional Background
We learn more about Lennie and George:
Last names
Lennie Small
George Milton
New Characters….

3. Candy Old swamper Nice One hand Rubs whiskers Has a smelly dog
Knows about the Ranch
Handyman

4. Slim Respected Tall, slender Calm voice “Jerkline skinner” Ageless
Has wisdom beyond words
Large, clean hands

5. Curley Small Mean Owner’s son Picks fights; boxer Full of himself
Jealous

6. Curley’s wife “Tart;” flirts with everyone “got the eye”
Wide- spaced eyes
Full, colored lips
Red fingernails
“purty”
Hair like sausages

7. Crooks African American “Stable buck” Educated
Not allowed in the bunkhouse
Good at horseshoes
Crooked back

8. Carlson Large, full stomach Strong Hates Candy’s dog Speaks loudly
Has influence over others

9. Similes “…flies shot like rushing stars…” (18)
Lennie… is strong as a bull. (20)

10. Allusions
Definition: an allusion is a reference to a well-known person, place, literary work, piece of art, etc.
Eating raw eggs (32)
They believe it increases sexual performance
Writing to the patent medicine houses (32)
getting drugs or light medicines without a prescription

11. Idioms
Definition: a manner of speaking that is natural to native speakers of a language
Bum steer =bad directions (21)
Pants rabbits =STD’s (18)
Poop =energy or desire (20)
Old man (25)/Old lady (22)
Scrappy =aggressive, fond of fighting (26)

12. Foreshadowing
Definition: hints or clues of events that have yet to occur
George warns Lennie not to fight Curley unless he starts it……Curley will start a fight (29)
George reminds Lennie of the spot to go if there is trouble…..there will be trouble (30)
George warns Lennie to stay away from Curley’s wife….something will happen between Lennie and Curley’s wife. (32)

13. Significant Quote “’Curley ain’t givin’ nobody a chance’” (26)
Curley only fights big guys. If the big guy beats him, the big guy’s a bully. If Curley wins, he’s tough.