Of Mice and Men

# *Of Mice and Men* — Discussion Questions John Steinbeck's *Of Mice and Men* (1937) delves into themes of friendship, dreams, loneliness, and the harsh realities of the Great Depression. Use the questions below to guide your class discussion: 1. **The American Dream:** George and Lennie dream of owning their own land. How does this dream play a role in the novel — is it a source of hope, an illusion, or perhaps a mix of both? What insights does Steinbeck offer regarding the attainability of the American Dream for working-class individuals? 2. **Friendship and Loyalty:** The relationship between George and Lennie is at the heart of the novel. How does their friendship either challenge or reinforce the notion that survival is easier when alone? What sacrifices do each of them make for the other? 3. **Loneliness and Isolation:** Several characters — Crooks, Candy, and Curley's wife — experience deep loneliness. How does Steinbeck use these characters to explore social isolation, and what factors (race, gender, age, disability) contribute to their marginalization? 4. **Power and Powerlessness:** What power dynamics can you identify among the ranch workers? Who holds power, and how is it wielded or misused? Think about characters like Curley, Slim, and the Boss. 5. **Fate vs. Free Will:** The title references a line from Robert Burns's poem: *"The best-laid schemes o' mice an' men / Gang aft agley."* To what degree are the characters' fates shaped by forces outside their control versus their own decisions? 6. **The Ending:** George faces a heart-wrenching choice at the end of the novel. Do you view his action as an act of mercy, betrayal, or love? Was there an alternative choice he could have made? 7. **Steinbeck's World:** In what ways does the historical backdrop of the Great Depression and the migrant worker experience influence the characters' motivations and perspectives? Does this context lend the novel a sense of relevance today?

ap_lit · common_core_ela · gcse_english_literature · aqa

# *Of Mice and Men* — Discussion Questions **John Steinbeck** --- 1. **Dreams and Disillusionment:** George and Lennie aspire to own their own land. How does this dream play a role in the novel — is it a source of hope, a means of escape, or ultimately a kind of self-deception? What broader message does Steinbeck convey about the American Dream? 2. **Friendship and Loneliness:** The novel features many deeply lonely characters — Crooks, Candy, Curley's wife. How does the friendship between George and Lennie differ from the isolation felt by others on the ranch? Do you see their bond as one of true equality? 3. **Power and Powerlessness:** How does Steinbeck depict the social hierarchy of the ranch to examine who wields power and who is marginalized? Reflect on aspects like race, gender, disability, and class in your response. 4. **Mercy vs. Morality:** At the novel's conclusion, George faces a heart-wrenching decision. Do you view George's final act as one of love, mercy, betrayal, or something else? How does the earlier scene with Candy's dog set the stage for this moment? 5. **Fate and Free Will:** To what degree are the characters in control of their own destinies? Does Steinbeck suggest that their tragic outcomes are inevitable, or do particular choices lead to the story's conclusion? 6. **Curley's Wife as a Character:** Curley's wife is never named in the novel. What impact does this have on our perception of her? Is she a villain, a victim, or something more nuanced?

ap_lit · common_core_ela · gcse_english_literature · aqa · ib_english

# *Of Mice and Men* — Discussion Questions **John Steinbeck** --- 1. **Friendship & Loyalty:** The relationship between George and Lennie is at the heart of the novel. What does their bond tell us about the human desire for companionship, and how does it differ from the isolation felt by characters like Crooks, Candy, and Curley's wife? 2. **The American Dream:** George and Lennie dream of owning their own piece of land. How does Steinbeck use this aspiration to symbolize hope, and what critique does he offer regarding the notion that the American Dream is attainable for everyone? 3. **Power & Powerlessness:** In what ways does Steinbeck examine social hierarchies on the ranch? Think about how factors like race, gender, disability, and class influence each character's sense of control and belonging. 4. **Mercy vs. Morality:** At the novel's conclusion, George makes a decision that cannot be undone. Do you see his choice as an act of mercy, betrayal, or something else? What moral perspective shapes your view? 5. **Fate & Foreshadowing:** Steinbeck employs recurring images, especially the deaths of small animals, to hint at the story's conclusion. How does this technique affect your reading, and what does it imply about the inevitability of tragedy in the lives of the characters?

ap_lit · common_core · gcse · aqa