1. Thematic Notebook Questions
Of Mice and Men
Thematic Notebook Questions

2. Friendship and Loneliness
1. Which of Steinbeck’s characters, if any, exhibit the
qualities of being a true friend? If none, why not?
How do the environment of the farm and the time period of the Great Depression help and/or hinder the workers’ abilities to form friendships?
3. So far, what does Steinbeck seem to be saying about friendship and its impact on a person’s overall quality of life? Which characters best help him to illustrate this point?

3. Dreams and Reality
1. Although Candy, George, and Lennie all share the same dream of getting a house, it is different for each of them. Explain what causes these differences.
2. So far, what do you think Steinbeck is trying to say about the potential to attain our dreams? How is this potential affected by outside influences, a person's abilities, relationships with others, etc.?

4. Discrimination and Acceptance
What different types of discrimination are in the book (name at least 3)? What is Steinbeck trying to say about each type?
What effects does discrimination have on the characters’ lives? To what extent can acceptance counteract these effects?
3. Discuss the significance of the fact that the characters who are victims of discrimination also happen to be the same characters on the lower rungs of the farm’s hierarchy.

5. Sacrifice and Self-Absorption
1. Plot each of Steinbeck’s major characters on a continuum. Self-absorption should be on the left side and sacrifice on the right. Briefly explain your reason for each character’s placement.
2. Using the characters on both the far-left and far-right sides of the continuum as support, explain Steinbeck’s message in connection to this theme. In other words, for what purpose did he include each of these characters?

6. Loyalty and Betrayal
1. Other than George or Lennie, which character do you believe shows the most characteristics of loyalty? Give examples as evidence.
2. Which character shows the most tendency toward betrayal? Explain.
3. Does Steinbeck convey what Lennie’s death as an act of loyalty or one of betrayal? Explain how George’s motivation for his decision is a factor.