Of Mice and Men Page

Of Mice and Men Survival Guide: complete glossary, allusions, etc.

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Novelguide: Novel Analysis

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Novel Analysis

 Directions:

1. Find definitions for each word below. Use the list found at www.jlc.net/~rwright/pages/OMM.html. Just click on the link for "Complete Vocabulary List." This has many more words in it than you will need to write down the definitions for. Do that for only the words below.

2. You could also use a dictionary, but be sure the definition you choose suits the way the word is used in the novel.

3. Write down in your notebook each word and its definition. LEAVE SPACE AFTER EACH WORD AND DEFINITION! Do this for all the words right away, not chapter by chapte.

4. As you read the book, find each word in its chapter of the book and write down the sentence that uses it, underline the word in it, and study this as well. You can abbreviate the sentence as long as what you have makes sense.

5. You will be able to use these notes during vocabulary exercises/quizzes. You will NOT be allowed to use anything else besides what is in your own notebook.

Quizzes will require you to

• Have in your notebook the definition of each word so that you can match up words and definitions
• Put the word into a blank in its sentence from the novel, or a very similar sentence.

 Complete List with Definitions to These and Other Words

 

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 Complete List with Definitions to These and Other Words

 

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Complete List with Definitions to These and Other Words

 

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Complete Vocabulary List

Chapter One

acres (n.): An acre is an area of land equal to 4,840 square yards or 43,560 square feet. For comparison, a football field is 45,000 square feet, so one acre is a little smaller than a football field.

 

anguished (adj.): anguish is a feeling of great physical or mental pain. The look on Lennie's face would show the mental pain he feels at the thought of George leaving him.

 

ashamedly (adv.): showing a feeling of guilt

 

bindle (n.): a small bundle of items rolled up inside a blanket and carried over the shoulder or on the back; a bedroll.

 

brusquely (adv.): quickly; bluntly; abruptly; almost rudely

 

bucking (v.): To buck in this instance is to throw large bags of grain on a truck. Barley is poured into large burlap bags (75 or more pounds) and passed brigade-style (in a line) to the truck.

 

carp (n.): a freshwater fish.

 

cat house (n.): whore house; house of prostitution

 

contemplated (v.) To contemplate something is to think about it. Lennie is thinking about running away.

 

debris (n.): remains.

 

dejectedly (v.): sadly; in a depressed or disheartened way

 

elaborate (adj.): expressed in great detail

 

flats (n.): level, flat ground

 

gesture (v.): to make a motion expressing thought or emphasizing speech

 

heron (n.): a wading bird (that is, a bird that is often found wading in the water, usually in a search for food) with a long neck, beak, and legs.

 

junctures (n.): A juncture is where two things come together. The juncture of a willow leaf is where the two sides of the leaf meet in the center.

 

mimicking (v.): imitating

 

morosely (adv.): in a sad, gloomy manner

 

mottled (adj.): having a variety of hues or colors; variegated, like marble

 

pantomime: (n.): acting that consists mostly of gestures and no words

 

periscope (n.): a device that, through a series of mirrors and prisms, allows one to view something not directly in the line of sight. Periscopes are used on submarines to allow the sailors to see above the waterline.

 

rabbit hutch (n.): A type of cage for keeping rabbits.

 

recumbent (adj.): still; without movement

 

reluctantly (adv.): unwillingly; hesitantly

 

reeds (n.): tall grass with hollow stems, often found in or near water.

 

stake (n.): an amount of money

 

stilted (adj.): In the instance, stilted refers to the legs of the heron which are very long and thin, like stilts.

 

sycamores (n.): a type of shade tree with leaves resembling the leaves of a maple tree.

 

thrashin' machines (n): Thrashing machines, sometimes called threshers or threshing machines, are used on farms to separate the grain or seed from the straw of such plants as barley or wheat.

 

tramps (n.): In this case, a tramp is a person who travels about on foot, usually doing odd jobs for a living (To "tramp" means to travel on foot).

 

unslung (v.): removed; took off

 

wearily (adv.): tired; in a tired way

 

willows (n.): a type of tree with narrow leaves and strong, flexible twigs and branches.

Chapter Two

 

abruptly (adv.): suddenly; almost rudely

 

apprehensive (adj.): anxious; fearful

 

archly (adv.): playfully

 

axles (n.): bars connecting two opposite wheels

 

bale (n.): a large bundle of something that has been compressed and tied together. Grains such as hay, wheat, and barley are often made into bales after they're harvested.

 

barley (n.): a type of cereal grass. The grain from the barley plant is often used for making malts and for animal feed.

 

blacksmith (n.): a person who works with iron, especially in the making of horseshoes.

 

bridled (v.): to pull one's head back in anger or pride; especially when one feels one has been offended

 

bristled (adj.): stiff and prickly

 

bristly (adj.): stiff and prickly

 

brusquely (adv.): roughly; abruptly

 

buckers (n.): people who buck grain bags

 

bunk house (n): a building that provides sleeping quarters (bunk beds) for workers on a ranch or farm.

 

burlap (n.): a coarse, inexpensive, woven fabric; often used for making grain sacks

 

calculating (adj.): shrewd; scheming

 

cesspool (n.): a deep hole in the ground into which sewage from sinks, toilets, etc. is drained.

 

cockier (adj.): To be cocky is to be conceited, overbearing, and aggressive.

 

complacently (adv.): in a pleased, self-satisfied manner

 

contort (v.): to twist or strain out of shape

 

cultivator (n.): a large farm machine used for cultivation (the preparation of the earth for planting).

 

derogatory (adj.): belittling and insulting; detracting or disparaging

 

dinner (n.): the major meal of the day. In this case, dinner is served in the middle of the day.

 

disengage (v.): free

 

dousing (n): to douse is to be drenched with liquid. A dousing refers to someone having been covered with a liquid, in this case water, during a washing.

 

dragfooted (adj.) lame; dragging a lame foot

 

gingerly (adv.): in a careful, cautious way

 

grain teams (n): A team is two or more horses harnessed to a wagon or other drawn vehicle. Grain teams would be the teams (horses and wagons) used to haul grain in from the fields.

 

graybacks (n.): lice; parasites. Lice are small, wingless insects that live off the blood of other animals.

 

grizzled (adj.): gray

 

handy (adj.): clever with one's hands; especially, in this case, in terms of fighting

 

harness (n.): the leather straps and metal pieces by which a horse or mule is fastened to a vehicle.

 

hatchet face (n): a lean, sharp face

 

heavy-laden (adj.) heavily loaded

 

insteps (n.): the parts of the shoes between the toe and the ankle

 

jerkline skinner (n.): person who drives mules

 

laboring (adj.): working, particularly work that involves physical labor.

 

lamely (adv.): To be lame is to be crippled; especially to have an injured leg or foot.

 

lashed (v.): swung around quickly

 

lean (adj.): thin

 

leaves (n.): pages

 

levelly (adv.): Something that is level is flat and horizontal. To stare at someone levelly is to stare at that person straight on &emdash; not looking up nor down.

 

lightweight (n.): a boxer who weighs between 127 - 135 pounds

 

liniment (n.): a medicated liquid rubbed on the skin to ease sore muscles and sprains

 

mimic (v.): to imitate

 

mollified (adj.): soothed; pacified

 

morosely: (adv.): glumly, gloomily

 

mules (n): a type of shoe or slipper than does not cover the heal.

 

muzzle (n.): the projecting part (the part that sticks out) of a dogs head that includes the mouth, nose, and jaw.

 

ominously (adv.): in a threatening way; with foreboding

 

peered (v.): To peer is to look closely or squint at something to see it more clearly.

 

plaintively (adv.): mournfully, sorrowfully

 

pocket (n.): in this instance, a pocket would be a hollow or cavity in the land filled with gold ore

 

precede (v.): go before or ahead of

 

profound (adj.): complete; coming from the depths of one's being

 

pugnacious (adj.): eager and ready to fight

 

rouged (adj.): colored red, as with lipstick

 

scourges (n.): a scourge is anything that inflicts discomfort or suffering; in this case, any variety of insects and pests

 

scowled (v.): a scowl is an angry look achieved by frowning and scrunching the eyebrows together.

 

skeptically (adv.): To be skeptical is doubt or question something. George is doubting that the bunk house, and especially his mattress, is really clean

 

slough (v): get rid of

 

solitaire lay (n): Solitaire is a one-person game of cards. A solitaire lay is the set up of the cards at the beginning of the game.

 

spurs (n.): sharp, pointed metal devices worn on the heels of a boots, used to urge on horses when riding.

 

stable buck (n.): a stable is a building where horses are kept. A buck, in this case, is a derogatory word for a black man. A staple buck, then, would be a black man who works in a stable.

 

stocky (adj.): heavily and solidly built

 

swamper (n.): a handyman; someone who performs odd jobs often involving cleaning

 

tart (n.) a woman of loose morals; one who is prone to be sexually unfaithful

 

tick (n.) mattress covering

 

ticking (n.): the cloth case for a mattress. In this instance, the cloth case was made from burlap.

 

time book (n): a book used to record the hours of workers

 

trace chains (n): the chains that connect a horse's harness to a vehicle

 

tramp (n.): In this case, a tramp is a woman of loose morals who is sexually promiscuous

 

vials (n.): small bottles

 

viciously (adv.): cruelly; in a mean way

 

 

Chapter Three

 

alfalfa (n.) : a plant widely grown for animal feed.

 

bemused (adj.): preoccupied; deep in thought

 

bleated (v.) : A bleat is the cry usually associated with a goat, sheep, or calf. In this case, Lennie cries out with terror in an animal-like way.

 

candy wagon (n.): a crew bus or truck used for transporting people

 

chamber (n.): the part of the gun that holds the next bullet to be shot

 

concealing (v.): hiding

 

'cots (n.): apricots.

 

cower (v.): to shrink and tremble from fear.

 

defensively (adv.): on guard against attack, be it verbal or physical. George is on guard against an attack about his relationship with Lennie.

 

derision (n.): making fun of someone

 

does (n.): female rabbits

 

dusk (n.): shadowy; gloomy (dusk is the period of time that comes just before dark or evening)

 

ejector (n.): the mechanism of a gun that throws out the empty cartridge of a fired bullet

 

entranced (v.): put into deep thought

 

euchre (n.): a card game

 

hands (n.): workers

 

impressively (adv.): commanding attention; making a strong impression

 

loaded shell (n.): an unfired bullet

 

magazine (n.): the part of the gun that holds the bullets

 

receptive (adj.): able and willing to listen to and accept information, new ideas, etc. Slim is willing to listen to what George is about to tell him.

 

reprehensible (adj.): To reprehend someone is to reprimand or criticize that person. Something that is reprehensible is something that is deserving of criticism.

 

rheumatism (n.): a painful condition involving the joints and muscles

 

run (n.): an enclosure for animals in which they can exercise, feed, etc.

 

setter dog (n): A setter is any of several breeds of long-haired dogs usually trained to work with hunters.

 

slug (n.): a single drink; especially of alcohol

 

smoke (v.): Many meats and fish can be preserved by the means of smoking. To smoke meat is to expose it for a length of time to smoke

 

smoke house (n.): a building where meat or fish is cured (prepared) by means of dense smoke.

 

subdued (v.): settled down

 

subsided (v.): became less excited; calmed down

 

thong (n.): a narrow strip of material; in this case, leather

 

Back to Vocab for Ch. 3

 

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Chapter Four

 

aloof (adj.): distant; removed; cool

 

appraised (v.): judged

 

arouse (v.): to excite; bring about

 

blackjack game: a gambling card game; also known as "Twenty-One"

 

champing (v.): chewing noisily

 

contemptuously (adj.): full of contempt or scorn

 

disarming (adj.): endearing; tending to remove hostility or suspicion

 

ego (n.): sense of self; self-awareness

 

hame (n.): the piece along the side of a horse collar to which the trace chains are attached

 

indignation (n.): anger because of injustice or meanness

 

intensity (n.): great strength and sharpness

 

keg (n.): a small barrel

 

mauled (adj.): torn; worn-out. To maul something is to treat it roughly or clumsily.

 

meager (adj.): of poor quality or small amount

 

persuasive (adj.): convincing

 

riveter (n.): a tool used to fasten rivets. Rivets are small metal bolts or pins used to attach fabric and leather pieces together

 

rummy (n.): a card game

 

scornful (adj.): feeling contempt for someone or something; believing that a person or thing is worthless

 

spectacles (n.): eyeglasses

 

sullenness (n.): gloominess

 

twict (n.): a sharp, sudden punch

Chapters Five and Six

 

belligerently (adv.): in a hostile or aggressive manner

 

bewildered (adj.): confused

 

consoled (v.): comforted

 

confided (v.): told private matters not intended for public knowledge

 

craftily (adv.): in a sly, cunning manner

 

darkly (adv.): deeply; richly; secretly

 

drawn (v.): To draw someone out is to get that person to talk. Curley's wife cannot get Lennie to talk to her.

 

dugs (n.): nipples; teats

 

emphasis (n.): force; expression; stress

 

fainter (adj.): weaker; dimmer; unclear

 

gingham (n.): a cotton cloth, usually woven in stripes or checks.

 

gust (n.): a strong, sudden rush of air

 

hovered (v.): lingered; stayed suspended

 

jack-pin (n.): Also known as a belaying pin, a jack pin is a removable wooden or metal pin inserted in the rail of ships around which ropes can be fastened.

 

monotonous (adj.): flat, with no expression

 

pulley (n.): a small wheel with a grove or rim in which a rope or chain runs. Pulleys are used with ropes or chains to left heavy items.

 

quivering (v.): trembling

 

retort (v.): to reply sharply

 

sniveled (v.): cried or wept with sniffling

 

snooker (n.): a type of pool game.

 

sulkily (adv.): in a gloomy manner

 

sullenly (adv.): sadly; in a depressing and gloomy way

 

taloned (adj.): A talon is a finger-like claw. A four-taloned fork would be a fork with four "claws."

 

wisps (n.): tiny, slight strands or pieces

 

writhed (v.): twisted

Study Guide

 

Chapter 1 (Bantam Edition)

Pages 1-16 (Penguin Edition)

 

1. Identify and give a physical description of Lennie and George.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. What is George's first complaint to Lennie?

 

 

 

3. What trouble did George and Lennie have in Weed?

 

 

 

 

 

4. What is in Lennie's pocket? Why does he have it?

 

 

 

5. George bursts into a long speech about what he could do if he were alone. What could he do?

 

 

 

6. Lennie offers to go away and live in a cave. What is George's response?

 

 

 

7. Why are George and Lennie different from the other "guys like us that work on ranches"?

 

 

8. What are George and Lennie going to do someday?

 

 

 

9. What two things does George want Lennie to remember?

 

 

 

 

 

10. Why did George want to camp overnight instead of going another quarter of a mile to the ranch?

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 2 (Bantam Edition)

Pages 17-34 (Penguin Edition)

 

1. What does George answer when the boss asks what he is trying to put over?

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Identify and describe Curley.

 

 

 

 

 

3. The swamper said, "Seems like Curley ain't givin' nobody a chance." Explain.

 

 

 

 

 

4. What advice does George give Lennie after Curley and the swamper leave? What does Lennie reply?

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. Identify Slim and Carlson.

 

 

 

 

6. What does Slim have that Lennie wants?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 3 (Bantam Edition)

Pages 38-45 (Penguin Edition)

 

1. Slim and George have a long conversation. Slim says it's funny how George and Lennie go around together. What is George's answer?

 

 

 

 

2. Identify Candy.

 

 

3. What did Carlson do with his Luger? Why?

 

 

 

4. What card game does George play?

 

5. Describe Curley's wife. What's the problem about her?

 

 

 

 

 

6. What will Lennie's job be when he and George get their land?

 

 

7. What does Candy want when he hears about George's and Lennie's plans? What is he willing to contribute?

 

 

 

8. Why did Curley fight with Lennie? What happened?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 4 (Bantam Edition)

Pages 66-83 (Penguin Edition)

 

1. Identify Crooks.

 

 

 

2. Lennie tells Crooks about the land. What is his reply at first?

 

 

 

3. What does Crooks want when he believes there might really be land?

 

 

4. Why did Curley's wife really come to the barn?

 

 

5. Why did Crooks change his mind after Curley's wife left?

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 5 (Bantam Edition)

Pages 84-98 (Penguin Edition)

 

1. What happened to Lennie's puppy? What is his reaction?

 

 

2. Why did Curley's wife come to see Lennie?

 

 

 

3. What did she tell Lennie?

 

 

 

 

 

4. Why did Lennie kill Curley's wife?

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. What was George's reaction when he found out about Curley's wife's death?

 

6. What was Curley's reaction to his wife's death?

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 6 (Bantam Edition)

Pages 99-107 (Penguin Edition)

 

1. How is the very beginning of this chapter similar to the very beginning of the book?

 

 

 

What is the most noticeable difference between the beginning of Ch. 6 and the beginning of the book?

 

 

 

2. How did George kill Lennie?

 

 

3. What would have happened to Lennie of George hadn't killed him?

 

 

Would this have been better or worse for Lennie? Why?

 

 

 

 

 

 

What if Lennie had been captured and taken to the sheriff? What probably would have been done eventually (Slim reminded George of this possibility on Ch. 5)? Would this have been better or worse for Lennie? Explain.

 

 

 

 

 

4. Describe at least two ways in which the killing of Lennie parallels the killing of Candy's old dog in Ch. 3.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. What statement of Candy's in Ch. 3 probably influenced George's actions in Ch. 6?

 

 

 

 

6. Who is the only one who really understands what George did?

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