1.

Describe the contents of this section of the novel- Kameron Grant

This section of the novel introduces the characters, the setting, and the exposition of the story. it opens
with George, a scrawny man, and Lennie, a large and bulky man, marching through the calm wilderness
alongside the Salinas River. It shows us the relationship between George and Lennie, and they talk about
their plan to get a job at a nearby ranch, and we learn that Lennie is prone to screwing things up. We find
out that Lennie had been keeping a dead mouse in his pocket that he liked to pet, and we see how childish
he is when George tries to take it from him. George and Lennie start to set up camp, as Lennie goes to
collect sticks for a fire and George gets out some canned baked beans to cook.

2. The only two characters introduced in pages 1-8 of the novel Of Mice and Men are George and Lennie,
the two protagonists. George is a small, quick, and kind of sly man probably in his late thirties. He has
very defined features and average smarts. Lennie is George's foil. Lennie is probably the same age as
George, but his mental age is like 25 years younger than George. Lennie is a big, strong man, with big
features. He had wide and sloping shoulders, he dragged his feet, and is compared to a bear. His arms did
not swing at his sides, but hung loosely, (Steinbeck 2). Just by reading a few pages into the book, the
reader can already tell that Lennie has some sort of mental problem. The best word that could be used to
describe him is childish. He can't remember things and George is constantly having to remind him. One
recurring event that shows Lennies mental state is the incident with the mice. Lennie found a dead mouse
and kept it in his pocket to pet it. I could pet it with my thumb while we walk along,(Steinbeck 6).
This happened on two separate occasions in just these eight pages. He was upset when George didn't have
any ketchup with the beans. Lennie would giggle at some points and would get scared when George
would yell at him, even though he is twice the size of George. Colten Ronshausen

George and Lennie are the two characters introduced in our section of the book. The two men are
travelers together in search of work. George and Lennie have a very special relationship and their
behavior shows it. George assumes the care taker role, in concerns to Lennie. He travels with him,

provides for him, communicates with him, but he also is not exactly loving towards him. He cares for
him, but is harsh and sometimes quite mean towards Lennie. you know God damn well what. I want
that mouse. (9). This quote shows the attitude of George towards Lennie, and how his words are often
harsh, showing his irritation toward his situation with the childish man. Their relationship is complicated,
and the reader can assume that there is an ultimatum propelling George to take care of Lennie, although,
based on George's harsh words and tone, he does not necessarily enjoy the partnership. Lennie in turn,
loves George, looks up to him, and admires him. He gets scared when George yells at him, yet does
whatever he says. This shows how Lennie is not mentally capable of distinguishing social queues and and
George knows that, probably feels bad for him, and takes the caregiver role seriously. Hannah Hermann

3. Identify the key aspects of the setting. -Tiffany Harrend

The introduction of the first chapter starts with the author describing where George and Lennie are
walking. The first sentence starts with A few miles south of Soledad (1) which shows exactly where
they are and let's the audience really imagine where they are and how they are feeling. The author names
the types of bushes, which gives the scenery something more than just talking about trees and grass. Early
on, Steinbeck describes the path as beaten hard by boys coming down from the ranches(2). This leads
well into the characterization and helps the novel flow.
Steinbeck gives background information on Lennie and George in the form of a conversation rather
than just telling the reader. Naming the exact town gives the characters experience with the other places
they are going to be going through. The season is easily inferred by the reader when it is described as hot
with leaves, which would not be there if it were fall or winter. The setting really makes the foundation of
the novel, gives the characters background and probably foreshadows for the rest of the novel.

4. One thematic idea that is introduced in the first few pages of the book, Of Mice and Men, is the idea of
innocence in humans, and animals. Lennie is a developmentally challenged older thirty- something male,
who portrays childish characteristics, such as his innocent behavior, obsession with animals, and his

wanting for approval from his protector, George. Give you what, George (8). Lennie says this to George
concerning a mouse he took from the forest. It is a perfect example of the innocence children show when
they do something wrong. They acts like nothing happens, just as Lennie has. His childish innocence will
also bode as a problem for the two travelers later on in the book. George has already stated that an
incident concerning Lennie got them kicked out of their last work place, forwarding another will take
place. This childish behavior also makes Lennie a perfect target for manipulation, and stupid actions of
innocence that are not appropriate for his age. The mouse, arguably considered one of the most innocent
animals out there, comes up often, making the reader assume it is important, and it ties into the innocence
theme that is starting to come up. Hannah Hermann