1. YOU MUST HAVE A COMPOSITION BOOK FOR THIS JOURNAL
Of Mice and Men
YOU MUST HAVE A COMPOSITION BOOK FOR THIS JOURNAL

2. Quick Write #1 Define “alone”; “lonely”
Compare and contrast these two terms.
10-15 sentences
If you have “family,” can you still be lonely? Why? Why not?
15-20 sentences

3. Quick Write #2
Think of someone who you have known most of your life; close to your age; best friends; blood brothers/sisters; protected each other always. Write his/her name at the top of your page.
Scenario: Your friend is in a terrible accident. He/she now has some brain damage. He/She can still do most things; but he/she forgets things; acts very childlike (not childish). Still looks up to you for friendship and protection. Your other fiends make fun of him/her and tell you to drop him/her as a friend. Does your friendship end? Why? Why not? How do you protect him/her from the cruelty of society? Can you? Why or Why not?
WORDS

4. Quick Write #3 Define racism; prejudice
Compare and contrast the two terms. Can either one be good? Why? Why not? Give specific examples
words
Where do you see prejudice in your life? Give specific examples. (Do not confuse this term with racism.)

5. Maslow’s Connection to George and Lennie- Quick Write 4
Where in the story does it show that George and Lennie have acquired each level of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs? Are there any that they never acquired? Are there some that only one acquired? Discuss each level as it pertains to each of the two characters; give specific examples (quotes that must be cited from the book) in your discussion.
Biological and Physiological needs
basic life needs - air, food, drink, shelter, warmth, sleep, etc.
Safety needs
protection, security, order, law, limits, stability, etc.
Belongingness and Love needs
family, affection, relationships, work group, etc.
Esteem needs
achievement, status, responsibility, reputation
Self-actualization
personal growth and fulfilment

6. Quick Write #4-A Refer back to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.
So far, what specific needs have George and Lennie satisfied? Cite (quote and page number) and discuss at least two quotes from the story for each character, using chapters
1-3 only.

7. Quick Write #5
Write 5-7 sentences describing the physical and psychological character of each of the following people: You must have at least one quote from the story discussing each character’s psychological character.
Lennie
George
Candy
Slim
Curley
Curley’s wife
Carlson

8. Quick Write #6 Discuss the character of Crooks.
What does he think of himself? Cite from the book.
To what does he compare himself to? (You need to review the past chapters to figure this one out.) Cite from the book.
Where is he on the Maslow Hierarchy of Needs?
Have any of his needs been met? Which ones? Why? Why not?
How is he treated by Lennie, Candy, and Curley’s wife? Be specific. Is the treatment the same? Why? Why not? Cite from the book.
Why does Crooks change his mind about being a part of the “dream team”? Be specific. Cite from the chapter.

9. Quick Write #7 Discuss the character of Curley’s wife.
What does she think of herself?
What is her dream? Does she realize her dream? Why? Why not?
What are the opinions of the men on the ranch regarding Curley’s wife? Are they right in their opinions? Why? Why not?
Is she really a “tart”? Why? Why not?
Cite all your answers with examples from the book.

10. Quick Write #8
Where do Curley’s wife and Lennie place on Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs?
How many needs are met for each? Cite from the book.
Does one reach a higher need than the other? If yes, which ones; when or where? Cite from the book.

11. Quick Write #9
What levels of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs has George met? Give examples from the book for each level met. Cite the pages from the book.
Does he fulfill his “dream”? Why/why not? Cite from the book.

12. Quick Write #10 Why does George kill Lennie?
Was it necessary? Why? Why not?
Was it moral? Why? Why not?
What does Carlson’s quote in the last lines of the book say about his character?

13. Prompts to Consider
Discuss the animal imagery within the character of Lennie. Consider not only the specific comparisons to various animals but also the animals in the story, ie. rabbits, mice, and dogs.
Discuss the theme of loneliness as it pertains to the following characters:
George
Crooks
Curley’s wife

14. More Prompts
Discuss the theme of prejudice within the context of the story as it pertains to the characters of Lennie, Crooks, and Curley’s wife.
Discuss the quote, “The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” How does this quote represent the story?

15. To a Mouse (on turning her up in her nest with the plough)
Man’s plans are no more secure than the mouse. The source of the characters’ dreams is their discontent with their present lives.
Poor; few possessions; few comforts; no chance of marriage or family life and no place of their own.
These griefs and fears are common to all men and women. Most universal expression of loss and destruction of personal insecurity and anxiety. The whole story is the theme of the shattered dream, the grief and pain instead of the promised plan

16. Mouse and Lennie
Farmer: philosophical; little control over his destiny, just lie the mouse. Man, however, is superior to the mouse in that he can think things through, can feel regret, remorse, disappointment, etc….mouse can’t.
Lennie – mouse; has decisions made for him. Lives only for the present.
Lennie – man; has a dream and devotes himself to the fulfillment of this dream. More powerful and is capable of killing thus overturning and destroying George’s dream of owning land.

17. George’s Dream
Planned carefully
Social union with Lennie; pressure from society – “man’s dominion” breaks the natural bond he has with Lennie. After the death of Curley’s wife, he must give up on the dream and give up on Lennie. It has broken the natural bond between the two.
This shattered dream is the same as the turning up of the mouse’s nest.
George and Lennie thought they would be very cosy in their own ranch, but Curley’s wife as the coulter that smashed that idea.