1. ”…If them other guys gets in jail they can rot for all anybody
Chapter 1
”…If them other guys gets in jail they can rot for all anybody
gives a damn. But not us."
Lennie broke in. "But not us! An' why? Because... because I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you, and that's why."

2. ‘To a Mouse’ / Robert Burns
“The best-laid schemes o' mice an' men Gang aft agley, (often go wrong) An' lea'e us nought but grief an' pain, For promis'd joy!”

3. “small, strong hands, slender arms, a thin and bony nose.”
Chapter 1
George =
Lennie =
George
“Give it here!”
“small, strong hands, slender arms, a thin and bony nose.”
“small and quick, dark of face, with restless eyes and sharp, strong features”
“Lennie, for God’s sakes don’t drink so much”
takes control
authoritative, caring

4. Chapter 1 Vocabulary
Recumbent A species of wild dog native to North America
Contemplate Sulky and miserable
Periscope In a lying down position
Anguish A brothel
Cat house To think about
Morose A tube-like observation device mounted on submarines
Coyote Great distress

5. Animals
What animals were mentioned in the chapter, and in relation to what/whom?

6. Chapter 1
In the opening pages, how does Steinbeck create an immediate contrast between George and Lennie?
Is there anything which Steinbeck writes about Lennie that leads us to believe that he has the mind of a child?
Compare how Lennie and George drink the water. What does this scene tell us about each character?
Analyse George and Lennie’s dialogue in the opening chapter. Compare the grammar and sentence construction used by George with that used by Lennie – what does this tell us about their relationship?
How does Steinbeck suggest to the reader that the conversation about the dream farm has taken place many times before? What is the importance of this?
George appears to get easily annoyed with Lennie. Is George being honest when he states that he would be better off without Lennie?

7. PEEL Structure
The first row of the table demonstrates how a PEEL paragraph is structured Complete the second row about George and the third row about Lennie. Choose which character to focus on in the fourth row.

8. Point Evidence Explanation Language Analysis
George sometimes gets very frustrated with Lennie’s behaviour and forgetfulness.
This is clear when George shouts at Lennie, ‘I gotta tell you again, do I? Jesus Christ, you’re a crazy bastard.’
This suggests that George is tired of always taking responsibility for Lennie and constantly having to repeat simple instructions. It is clear here, that although George gains company from their friendship, the responsibility can make him feel trapped.
George’s comment, ‘gotta tell you again’, suggests the almost paternal responsibility that George feels towards Lennie. Even though he can become frustrated and angry with Lennie’s behavior, he ultimately cares about him and is prepared to repeat instructions when required to protect him from harm.
‘I could get along so easy and so nice if I didn’t have you on my tail. I could live so easy and maybe have a girl.’
‘Sure,’ said Lennie. ‘I can remember this. Dd’n’t I remember about not gonna say a word?’
Embedding quotation