Of Mice And Men By John Steinbeck: Book Summary and Student Study Guide

CHAPTER 1

Summary

The novel opens with a description of a peaceful scene along the Salinas River, with mountains in the background. Two men appear - George Milton and Lennie Small - traveling together to a nearby ranch. George is small and quick, while Lennie is large and mentally disabled. They stop to rest for the night, and George reminds Lennie about their past troubles, particularly in Weed where Lennie's actions forced them to flee. George explains their dream of owning their own farm someday. When Lennie asks George to repeat the details of their dream, George describes the small farm they hope to own where Lennie will tend to rabbits. When Lennie retrieves a dead mouse he's been carrying, George throws it away, angering Lennie temporarily. As they prepare to sleep, George instructs Lennie to return to this spot by the river and hide in the brush if any trouble occurs at the ranch.

Analysis

The opening chapter establishes the novel's central relationship between George and Lennie. Their dynamic is complex - George acts as both a caretaker and protector to Lennie, while occasionally showing frustration with this responsibility. The chapter introduces the central dream that drives the plot: their hope to own land and "live off the fat of the land." This dream represents not just financial security but dignity and independence in a world where itinerant workers have little control over their lives. The natural setting of the riverbank serves as a sanctuary, contrasting with the man-made world that proves hostile to their friendship and dreams.

Key Quotes

"Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world. They got no family. They don't belong no place."
"With us it ain't like that. We got a future. We got somebody to talk to that gives a damn about us."
"Someday—we're gonna get the jack together and we're gonna have a little house and a couple of acres an' a cow and some pigs and—" "An' live off the fatta the lan'," Lennie shouted.

Character Development

George Milton: Revealed as intelligent but short-tempered, assuming a protective, parental role toward Lennie. His complex feelings show both irritation and deep loyalty.
Lennie Small: Despite his intimidating size, Lennie is childlike and mentally disabled. His obsession with soft things foreshadows future trouble.

Literary Elements

Foreshadowing: Lennie's fascination with mice and his history of unintentional violence hint at future tragedy.
Symbolism: The peaceful natural setting represents freedom and safety, contrasting with the controlled, dangerous world of the ranch.
Motif: The dream of owning land recurs throughout the novel as a symbol of independence and dignity.

Discussion Questions

How does George and Lennie's relationship differ from typical friendships during the Great Depression?
What does the dream of owning land represent to men like George and Lennie?
How does Steinbeck use the natural setting to establish tone and themes?

CHAPTER 2

Summary

George and Lennie arrive at the ranch and meet various characters: the boss, who is suspicious of their traveling together; Candy, an old handyman with an ancient dog; Curley, the boss's aggressive son who immediately dislikes Lennie; Curley's flirtatious wife; Slim, the respected lead worker; and Carlson, another ranch hand. The boss questions why George speaks for Lennie, suspecting he might be taking advantage of him. George invents a story that they're cousins and that Lennie was kicked by a horse as a child. After the boss leaves, Curley, who is small and combative, appears to size up Lennie, clearly looking to prove himself against the larger man. Later, Curley's wife appears, ostensibly looking for her husband but clearly seeking male attention. George warns Lennie to stay away from both Curley and his wife, sensing potential trouble. They meet Slim, whose calm authority contrasts with Curley's aggressive posturing, and who has a litter of puppies, one of which he agrees to give to Lennie.

Analysis

This chapter introduces the social microcosm of the ranch - a hierarchical world where status is determined by physical strength, position, and gender. The ranch represents American society during the Depression, with its power structures and prejudices. Each character embodies different aspects of this society: the suspicious boss, the aggressive Curley, the marginalized wife, and the aging, soon-to-be-discarded Candy. Slim stands out as the novel's moral center, respected for his skill and judgment rather than his position. The chapter heightens tension through potential conflicts - particularly between Lennie and Curley - while also introducing new elements of the dream through Lennie's desire for a puppy.

Key Quotes

"Curley's like a lot of little guys. He hates big guys. He's alla time picking scraps with big guys. Kind of like he's mad at 'em because he ain't a big guy."
"Curley's pretty handy. He done quite a bit in the ring. He's a lightweight, and he's handy."
"Well, I think Curley's married... a tart."

Character Development

The Boss: Represents authority and suspicion toward the unusual partnership of George and Lennie.
Candy: Introduced as aging and disabled, foreshadowing disposability of the weak.
Curley: Aggressive, insecure, and potentially dangerous, especially to Lennie.
Curley's Wife: Portrayed initially through the men's perspective as trouble, though her loneliness is hinted at.
Slim: Emerges as the moral authority, whose judgment is respected by all.

Literary Elements

Setting: The bunkhouse represents the confined, hierarchical world of the ranch workers.
Conflict: Several potential conflicts are established, particularly between Curley and Lennie.
Symbolism: Candy's old dog parallels the fate of useless, aging workers.

Discussion Questions

How does Steinbeck use physical appearance to convey character traits and social standing?
What dangers does this new environment pose to George and Lennie's dream?
How does the character of Slim function as a moral compass in the ranch's social structure?

CHAPTER 3

Summary

The chapter opens in the bunkhouse in the evening. Slim has given Lennie one of his puppies, and George thanks him, praising his skills as a mule driver. George confides in Slim about his relationship with Lennie, explaining that they grew up together and that he once played cruel jokes on Lennie until an incident made him stop. He also reveals what happened in Weed: Lennie touched a woman's dress, causing her to scream and leading to their hasty departure. Meanwhile, Carlson complains about Candy's old dog's smell and offers to shoot it. Despite Candy's reluctance, the others pressure him until he relents. As Carlson takes the dog outside, Candy lies facing the wall in silent grief. Later, the conversation turns to their dream of buying land. Overhearing this, Candy offers his life savings to join them, making the dream suddenly seem attainable. When the other men return from a visit to the brothel, Curley bursts in looking for his wife. Frustrated at not finding her, he picks a fight with Lennie, who initially refuses to defend himself until George gives permission. Lennie then crushes Curley's hand. Slim forces Curley to claim he caught his hand in a machine to avoid trouble for Lennie and George.

Analysis

This pivotal chapter develops several important threads. The shooting of Candy's dog parallels the novel's larger themes about the disposability of the weak and old in this society. Candy's fear of a similar fate drives him to join George and Lennie's dream, transforming it from fantasy to possible reality. This newfound hope contrasts sharply with the violence of Curley's attack on Lennie, demonstrating how quickly dreams can be threatened. Lennie's crushing of Curley's hand reveals both his immense physical power and his dependence on George for moral guidance. Slim's intervention shows his quiet authority and the respect he commands, allowing a temporary resolution that nonetheless leaves tension simmering below the surface. The chapter balances moments of hope with foreshadowing of tragedy.

Key Quotes

"I ought to of shot that dog myself, George. I shouldn't ought to of let no stranger shoot my dog."
"S'pose I went in with you guys. Tha's three hundred an' fifty bucks I'd put in. I ain't much good, but I could cook and tend the chickens and hoe the garden some."
"Lennie covered his face with his huge paws and bleated with terror."

Character Development

Candy: Moves from passive victim to active participant in the dream, finding new purpose after losing his dog.
George: Reveals his history with Lennie and his growth from tormenter to protector.
Lennie: Demonstrates both his dangerous strength and complete obedience to George.
Curley: His humiliation sets up deeper antagonism toward Lennie and George.

Literary Elements

Parallelism: Candy's dog's death parallels future events and the fate of the vulnerable.
Symbolism: The dream farm becomes more concrete as Candy joins, symbolizing hope amid despair.
Foreshadowing: Lennie's uncontrolled strength and the broken hand incident hint at future violence.

Discussion Questions

How does the killing of Candy's dog relate to the novel's larger themes?
What does Candy's joining of the dream represent, and how does it change the dynamic?
What do we learn about George's character through his confession to Slim?

CHAPTER 4

Summary

This chapter takes place in Crooks' room, the black stable hand who is segregated from the other workers. While the others are in town, Lennie wanders into Crooks' room looking for company. Initially resistant, Crooks eventually warms to Lennie's innocent presence. When Lennie shares the dream of the farm, Crooks is skeptical, having seen many workers with similar unfulfilled dreams. Candy joins them and offers financial details that make the dream seem more plausible, causing Crooks to cautiously express interest in joining them. The conversation is interrupted by Curley's wife, who seeks company and flirts with the men. When Crooks asks her to leave, she cruelly reminds him of his vulnerable position as a black man, threatening him with a lynching accusation. After she finally leaves, Crooks withdraws his interest in the farm, recognizing the fragility of his position. The chapter ends with Crooks once again isolated as the others depart.

Analysis

This chapter explores the theme of isolation through Crooks, the only black man on the ranch who is segregated by race. His physical disability (a crooked spine) further marks him as an outsider. The chapter reveals how social hierarchies operate - while Crooks, Candy, and Lennie share marginalized positions, race creates divisions even among the powerless. Curley's wife's appearance demonstrates that even she, isolated by gender, wields power over someone lower in the social hierarchy. The dream of the farm briefly creates a sense of community among these outcasts before reality reasserts itself. Steinbeck uses this chapter to explore how factors beyond individual control - race, age, disability, gender - determine one's place and possibilities in this society.

Key Quotes

"A guy needs somebody—to be near him. A guy goes nuts if he ain't got nobody. Don't make no difference who the guy is, long's he's with you."
"I seen hundreds of men come by on the road an' on the ranches, with their bindles on their back an' that same damn thing in their heads... every damn one of 'em's got a little piece of land in his head. An' never a God damn one of 'em ever gets it."
"Listen, Nigger," she said. "You know what I can do to you if you open your trap?"

Character Development

Crooks: Revealed as intelligent and literate, but deeply wounded by isolation and racism.
Candy: Shows greater investment in the dream, having calculated exactly how close they are financially.
Curley's Wife: Reveals her cruelty and willingness to use her social advantages when threatened.

Literary Elements

Setting: Crooks' room, with its few personal possessions, represents both his isolation and attempt to create dignity.
Symbolism: The dream farm briefly unites the marginalized characters before social reality intrudes.
Power Dynamics: The scene with Curley's wife demonstrates the complex hierarchy that exists even among the disempowered.

Discussion Questions

How does Crooks' race affect his experience compared to other marginalized characters?
What do we learn about Curley's wife in this chapter that adds complexity to her character?
Why does the dream of the farm appeal to outcasts like Crooks and Candy?

CHAPTER 5

Summary

Alone in the barn, Lennie accidentally kills his puppy by petting it too roughly. As he mourns over the body, Curley's wife enters. She confides in Lennie about her loneliness and disappointed dreams of becoming a movie star. When she learns of Lennie's fixation on petting soft things, she invites him to touch her hair. When he grips too hard, she panics and screams. Lennie, afraid she'll get him in trouble like the girl in Weed, covers her mouth and accidentally breaks her neck while trying to silence her. Realizing what he's done, Lennie flees to the hiding spot by the river that George specified earlier. Candy discovers the body and fetches George, who immediately understands what happened. They decide to tell the others, while George plans to sneak away to protect Lennie. Candy stays behind with the body as George joins the others. Curley organizes a lynch mob to find Lennie, and though George advises them to capture him, Curley makes it clear he intends to kill him. Slim understands the situation and offers quiet support to George.

Analysis

This chapter brings the foreshadowed tragedy to fruition through a chain of accidents stemming from Lennie's fatal flaw - his inability to control his strength. The parallel deaths of the puppy and Curley's wife connect to earlier incidents, showing Lennie's actions as unintentional but increasingly destructive. Curley's wife achieves humanization too late, revealing her deeper motivations and dreams just before her death. The scene demonstrates how quickly hope can collapse, as the dream farm that seemed attainable is swept away by the reality of violence. The chapter contrasts Curley's vengeful rage with Slim's compassionate understanding, setting up the moral dilemma George will face in the final chapter.

Key Quotes

"Why can't I talk to you? I never get to talk to nobody. I get awful lonely."
"I coulda been in the movies, an' had nice clothes... An' I coulda sat in them big hotels, an' had pitchers took of me."
"Lennie had broken her neck... She was still, for Lennie had broken her neck."

Character Development

Curley's Wife: Finally named through her dreams and history, achieving humanity just before death.
Lennie: His fatal pattern reaches its climax as his strength once again leads to unintended tragedy.
George: Faces the collapse of the dream and the terrible choice regarding Lennie's fate.
Candy: His reaction to the death reflects his own fears of being abandoned and discarded.

Literary Elements

Foreshadowing: The puppy's death parallels and precedes Curley's wife's death.
Setting: The barn represents a space away from society's watchful eye, allowing both intimacy and danger.
Imagery: Light and shadow in the barn create a dreamlike quality that mirrors Curley's wife's unfulfilled dreams.

Discussion Questions

How does our understanding of Curley's wife change in this chapter?
What parallels exist between the death of Candy's dog and the events of this chapter?
How does Steinbeck build tension and create a sense of inevitable tragedy?

CHAPTER 6

Summary

The final chapter returns to the peaceful riverbank where the novel began. Lennie waits at the spot George had designated as their meeting place in case of trouble. He experiences hallucinations - his Aunt Clara scolding him and a giant rabbit telling him George will abandon him. When George arrives, he is uncharacteristically gentle with Lennie. He tells Lennie to look across the river and describes their dream farm one last time. As Lennie listens happily, George takes Carlson's gun and shoots Lennie in the back of the head, ending his life quickly and painlessly before the lynch mob can find and torture him. The other men arrive moments later. While Curley and Carlson express confusion at George's actions, Slim understands the mercy behind them. The novel ends with Slim leading the shocked George away while Carlson and Curley remain bewildered by the depth of connection between the two friends.

Analysis

The novel comes full circle, returning to the riverbank that represented sanctuary at the beginning but now becomes the site of the final tragedy. George's decision to kill Lennie himself rather than let him be captured and tortured represents a final act of friendship and protection. By telling Lennie about the dream farm one last time, he allows his friend to die happy rather than afraid. The dream that sustained them throughout the novel is revealed as ultimately unattainable in a world where the weak are victimized and where human connections are viewed with suspicion. Slim's understanding contrasts with Curley and Carlson's confusion, highlighting the novel's message about the rarity of true human connection in this harsh world. George's loss of Lennie represents not just personal grief but the death of hope itself.

Key Quotes

"Ain't you gonna give me hell? Like you done before? Like, 'If I di'n't have you I'd take my fifty bucks—'" "No," said George. "No, Lennie. I ain't mad. I never been mad, an' I ain't now. That's the thing I want ya to know."
"Le's do it now. Le's get that place now."
"The hand shook violently, but his face set and his hand steadied. He pulled the trigger."

Character Development

George: Makes the ultimate sacrifice by taking responsibility for ending Lennie's life mercifully.
Lennie: Dies unaware of his imminent death, focused on the dream of tending rabbits.
Slim: Demonstrates complete understanding of George's action and offers compassionate support.
Carlson & Curley: Represent the uncomprehending world that cannot understand the bond between George and Lennie.

Literary Elements

Circular Structure: The novel ends where it began, at the riverbank sanctuary.
Symbolism: The death of Lennie represents the death of the dream and innocence itself.
Mercy Killing: Parallels Candy's regret at not shooting his own dog, with George choosing a more merciful route.

Discussion Questions

Was George's final act one of mercy, murder, or both? What would you have done in his position?
How does the return to the riverbank setting create meaning in the final chapter?
What does the novel ultimately suggest about the possibility of achieving the American Dream during the Great Depression?

OVERALL BOOK INSIGHTS

Major Themes

The American Dream: The novel explores the hope and ultimate impossibility of the American Dream during the Great Depression, particularly for marginalized people.
Friendship and Loneliness: The relationship between George and Lennie stands in stark contrast to the isolation experienced by other characters.
Powerlessness and Fate: Characters struggle against forces beyond their control - economic circumstances, social prejudice, and their own natures.
Mercy and Violence: Acts of mercy (like George's final decision) often involve violence in this harsh world.
Social Hierarchy: The novel examines how race, gender, disability, and economic status determine one's place in society.

Character Analysis

George Milton: Practical, intelligent, and ultimately loyal to his friend despite his occasional frustration. He represents the common man trying to maintain dignity in difficult circumstances.
Lennie Small: Physically strong but mentally disabled, Lennie embodies innocence corrupted by uncontrollable strength. His simple desires and childlike joy contrast with the cynical world around him.
Candy: Represents the fear of uselessness and disposal that comes with age and disability.
Curley's Wife: Unnamed throughout, she represents the limitations placed on women and how loneliness can manifest as destructive behavior.
Crooks: Illustrates the additional burden of racial discrimination layered on top of economic hardship.
Slim: The moral center of the novel, respecting skill and character rather than social position.

Historical Context

"Of Mice and Men" reflects the harsh realities of the Great Depression era. The migrant workers represent millions of Americans displaced by economic collapse, drought, and agricultural mechanization. Their dream of land ownership reflects the deeply American myth of self-sufficiency thwarted by economic reality. The treatment of marginalized characters - women, the disabled, the elderly, and racial minorities - accurately reflects the heightened vulnerability of these groups during economic crisis.

Literary Significance

Published in 1937, the novel exemplifies Steinbeck's social realist style, conveying complex themes through accessible language and characters. Its structure is notably theatrical, with focused scenes and heavy use of dialogue, reflecting Steinbeck's desire to adapt it for the stage. The title comes from Robert Burns' poem "To a Mouse," which contains the line "The best laid schemes o' mice an' men / Gang aft agley" (The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry), capturing the novel's central theme about the fragility of human plans against larger forces.

Critical Reception

Initially praised for its unsentimental portrayal of working-class characters and tightly constructed narrative, "Of Mice and Men" has become one of Steinbeck's most enduring works. While some critics have questioned the characterization of Curley's wife and Crooks as stereotypical, others note how Steinbeck humanizes them beyond their initial appearance. The novel has faced censorship challenges due to its language and subject matter but remains a staple in American literature classrooms for its accessible exploration of complex social issues and human relationships.