1. Chapter Two: Rising Action
Of Mice and Men
Chapter Two: Rising Action

2. RISING ACTION
Discuss the symbolic implication of the following line: “Both men glanced up, for the rectangle of sunshine in the doorway was cut off” (31).

3. RISING ACTION Discuss the significance of the following passage: “The old man was reassured. He had drawn a derogatory statement from George. He felt safe now…” (27) What does this passage illustrate about the relationships between men during the Depression?

4. RISING ACTION
Discuss the significance of the following lines: “Lennie cried out suddenly—‘I don’t like this place, George. This ain’t no good place. I wanna get outa here’” (32).

5. RISING ACTION
What happens to Slim’s dog and her puppies? How does this function as a parallel to survival as a migrant farm worker? How is this an example of Social Darwinism?

6. RISING ACTION
We have discussed George and Lennie as foils of one another. Who else has been introduced in the chapter that may serve as a foil and to whom?

7. RISING ACTION What seems to be Curley’s wife’s role in the novel?
What might this indicate about the way women were viewed during the Depression?

8. RISING ACTION
Re-read Steinbeck's description of Slim. What does this description tell you about Slim's character?