CHAPTER ONE:
Name_______________________
Pd._______________
Of Mice and Men: Chapter 1 Reading and Study Guide
I. VOCABULARY:Use the vocabulary handout to complete #3-6.
1. bindle [slang] a bundle, as of bedding, carried by a hobo
2. jack [slang] money
3. juncture
4. pantomime
5.lumbered
6. yammered
II. Allusions and historical references:
Literary Terms
Allusions: a reference in a literary work to a person, place, or thing in history or another work of literature. Allusions are often indirect or brief references to well-known characters or events.
Chapter One - Allusions
1. Galiban Mountains: a small mountain range situated east of the Salinas River
2. Howard street: There is a Howard Street in San Francisco, a city in Northern California (find San Francisico on a map of California). On their travel south from Weed, the two men may have stopped in San Francisco to look for work.
3. Sacramento: The capital of California, Sacramento is located about eighty miles northeast of San Francisco. Find it on a map of California.
4. Salinas River: a river that flows north through Soledad and empties into Monterey Bay. See it on a map of California.
5. Soledad: a city in near the coast of California, approximately 130 miles south of San Francisco. Find it on a map of California.
6. watchin' that blackboard: During this era, employment agencies would post available jobs on a blackboard in front of their offices. Prospective employees would wait in front of the offices, watching the blackboard for any new jobs.
7. Weed: A mining town in Northern California, near Mt. Shasta. See a picture of Weed, California and find the town on a map of California.
8. work cards: A job assignment from an employment agency would be written on a work card to be presented by the worker to the employer.
III. LITERARY TERMS
Chapter One –Idioms: The language, dialect, or style of speaking peculiar to a people. It is a phrase or expression that means something different from what the words actually say (for example, using the phrase “over his head” instead of “He doesn’t understand”).
blow their stake: Lose and/or spend all their money
blowin' in our jack: losing, spending, or gambling away all our money
bustin' a gut: Your gut is your stomach area. To bust a gut is to engage in very hard physical labor -- so hard that you ache all over -- even in your gut.
in hot water: to be in hot water is to be in trouble.
jungle-up: During the Great Depression, many wanderers (hoboes and tramps) would settle for the night in groups. These areas would be known as hobo jungles. To jungle-up is to camp out for the evening in the company of other like companions of the road.
live off the fatta the lan': Live off the fat of the land. The fat of the land is an expression that refers to having the best of everything. In the case of Lennie and George and their dream for a place of their own, it also means that they believe they will be able to survive and prosper by simply relying on what they can grow and raise -- that the land is so "fat" they will need nothing else to be happy.
IV. QUESTIONS: answer the following questions.
- Where did the bus drop the two men off?
- How is George described?
- How is Lennie described?
- What does Lennie do with the water that makes him proud of himself?
- What does Lennie not have in his pocket?
- Why does Lennie not have it in his pocket?
- What does Lennie take out of his pocket that gets him yelled at by George?
- What did Lennie want to do with this item?
- Where are George and Lennie going?
- From where are George and Lennie coming?
- When they get to where they are going, what does George tell Lennie to do?
- Why did George and Lennie leave the last place they were at?
- When Lennie goes out to get wood for a fire, what does he bring back that George takes away?
- Who used to give Lennie mice?
- Why did she stop giving Lennie mice?
- What does Lennie want with his dinner that they don’t have?
- What does George imply happened in Weed with the girl?
- What dream does George and Lennie share?
- Where does George tell Lennie to go if he gets in trouble?
V. Paragraph: write a paragraph answer to the following question. Use at least one quote from the text to support your answer.
20. Explain the relationship that exists between George and Lennie based on Chapter 1 of the book.
Of Mice and Men: Chapter 2 Reading and Study Guide
I. VOCABULARY: Use the vocabulary sheets for the four vocabulary words below.
swamper handyman; someone who performs odd jobs—such as cleaning. Refers to the character Candy
tick mattress covering
stable buck a stable is a building where horses are kept. A buck, in this case, is a derogatory word for
a black man. A stable buck, then, would be a black man who works in a stable.
skinner a mule driver
1. ominously
2.pugnacious
3. derogatory
4. mollified
II. LITERARY TERMS: Allusions: Read through the literary terms to assist you in your reading.
American River: a river in Northern California that runs past Auburn, through Sacramento, and flows into the Sacramento River.
eatin' raw eggs: It's thought by some that eating raw eggs can increase strength and, especially in men, sexual performance and stamina.
pan gold: a method of obtaining gold by using a pan to sift it out from other rocks and minerals that might flow through a river or stream. Find out more about panning for gold.
Stetson hat: See some pictures of Stetson hats.
temple dancer: a dancer from India or other Southeast Asian countries, known for the delicate movements of the hands and body. See a picture of a temple dancer from India.
vaseline: the brand name for petroleum jelly; a greasy, jelly-like substance made from petroleum. Among its other uses, Vaseline is often used as a lubricant (softener) for the skin.
work slips: the work cards given to Lennie and George by an employment agency
11. LITERARY TERMS: Idioms: Read through the idioms to assist you in your reading.
bum steer: bum, in this instance, means false or erroneous. A bum steer is false information or directions.
done quite a bit in the ring: The ring here refers to a boxing ring. Candy is making a reference to the fact that Curley has done some boxing.
flapper: mouth
game: courageous
gang up: attack as a group
got the eye: Candy is referring to the fact that, instead of being faithful to her husband, Curley's wife tends to look around at other men.
in heat: For a female animal (in this case, a dog), to be in heat (also known as estrus) is to be in a state of sexual excitement when she will accept mating from a male.
jail bait: a girl below the legal age of consent for sex;
pants is full of ants: To have "ants in one's pants" is to be nervous and restless.
pants rabbits: any type of parasites, such as lice; especially those that might affect the genital area
picking scraps: A scrap is a fight or argument. To pick a scrap is to provoke fights or quarrels.
poison: A woman who is poison is one who can only mean trouble, especially to a man.
poke: A poke is a wallet or purse. Poke also refers to money; especially all the money one has.
poop: energy; desire
rassel: lift, carry, and handle; especially something heavy and awkward
rattrap: a rattrap is a hopeless situation; one that no good can come from. George is warning Lennie to stay away from Curley's wife because getting involved with her would only result in a bad situation.
slang her pups: gave birth to her pups
sore as hell: extremely angry
take the rap: take the blame; be the one who gets into trouble
tangles: fights; argues
two bits: a quarter; twenty-five cents
what stake you got in this guy: In this case, a stake is an interest (financial, personal, etc.) in a person or thing. The boss is asking George what interest he has in Lennie.
what the hell's he got on his shoulder: This refers to the expression "to have a chip on one's shoulder," which is used to describe someone who is bad tempered, easily angered, or always ready for a fight. George is wondering why Curley seems so bad tempered.
III. QUESTIONS: answer the following questions.
1. According to the old man, why was the boss mad at George and Lennie?
2. What does George find in the box by his bed and what does he assume?
3. Describe the “stable buck.” What physical attributes does he have? What does the boss use him for?
4. Describe the fight between the “stable buck” and Smitty.
5. What is Lennie’s last name?
6. What does the boss suspect George of doing to Lennie? What makes him think this?
7. What reason does George give for taking care of Lennie?
8. What is George’s last name?
9. Who is Curley?
10. What does the swamper tell George about Curley’s left hand?
11. Describe Curley’s wife.
12. Why does she come into the bunkhouse?
13. Describe Slim. What is his job on the ranch? What are some of his character traits?
14. What did Slim do to four of his pups? Why? What does Lennie want George to ask Slim?
TOUCHING SPIRIT BEAR
Chapter One
Answer each of the following questions with complete sentences.
1. Cole Matthews knelt defiantly in the bow of the aluminum skiff as he faced forward into a cold September wind.
2. Define the term defiant:
What is an aluminum skiff?
There were two other people in the boat:
3. Garvey, who was _______
4. Edwin who is ______
5. What did Cole do to Edwin to try to make him angry?
6. Who were the only people Cole could trust?
7. Who was Peter Driscal? What happened to him?
8. Why do you think Garvey kept visiting Cole?
9. What is Circle Justice?
Chapter Two
Answer each of the following questions with complete sentences.
1. Cole pretended to go along with all of the requirements of the circle Justice. What were his real intentions?
2. What four things did Edwin tell Cole to learn?
3. What did Garvey give to Cole to take care of? What do the Tlingits call this?
4. How did Cole receive instructions from Edwin? Why?
5. Why do you think Cole is so rebellious and defiant?
6. What did Edwin tell Cole about his treatment of the animals?
Chapter Three
Answer each of the following questions with complete sentences.
1. Why does Cole feel like nobody cares for him?
2. What does he tell Garvey that he hates about his life?
3. Why did Garvey keep pressing Cole to be more specific?
4. What secret about his dad did Cole reveal to Garvey?
5. Describe the emotions Cole experiences in this chapter.
Chapter Four
Answer each of the following questions with complete sentences.
1. As this chapter opens, Cole is swimming away from the island he has been banished to. What is his greatest danger at this point?
2. Who was involved in the Circle of Justice?
3. Why did this worry Cole?
4. What did Cole do to Peter Driscal at this meeting and why did he stop?
5. The Keeper described Circle Justice - she said that justice often fails because it punishes rather than what? What is the purpose of Circle Justice?
6.What was the significance of the feather?
Tell how Cole's mom, his dad, Cole, the lawyer and Peter Driscal all responded when it was their turn to hold the feather:
A. Cindy Matthews
B. William Matthews
C. Nathaniel Blackwood
D. Cole
E. Peter
Chapter Five
Answer each of the following questions with complete sentences.
1. When Cole became delirious, what did he try to find?
2. When Cole awakens from his first night on the island, what does he see?
3. Why did the bear make him so angry?
4. When Cole heard what his father said at Circle Justice he exploded, why?
Chapter Six
Answer each of the following questions with complete sentences.
As the chapter opens, Cole and his father are having a very heated exchange of harsh words. Why were they out of line and what did the Keeper do about it?
Cole begged his mom to say something when she held the feather. What did he want her to say? Did she do it? Why or why not?
We know Cole has an anger problem. How does his dad deal with his own anger?
What solution does Garvey come up with at the Circle Meeting to satisfy the Driscal's lawyer and allow Cole not to be sentenced yet?
What does Garvey mean when he says "If you go to jail, I won't bet a nickel on your future."
Define: banishment
Describe in one complete paragraph why you believe Cole behaves as he does and has become a violent juvenile offender.
Chapter Seven
Answer each of the following questions with complete sentences.
Why does Cole feel the need for a weapon? What does he make?
Cole feeds green wood into the fire to create a lot of smoke. Of what benefit is the smoke to him?
Cole woke up in the middle of the night because the stillness awakened him. What was about to happen?
What did he do when he saw the Spirit Bear at the mouth of the bay?
Why do you think he did this? What was he thinking?
Did this frighten the bear? Why or why not?
Chapter Eight
Answer each of the following questions with complete sentences.
What does the Spirit Bear do when Cole charges him?
Describe the episode Cole has with the white bear.
What are the damages Cole endures?
Describe for me how Edwin (elder of Tlingit) told Cole to live with the other creatures on the island.
Is he doing this?
How are Edwin's words proving to be true?
This entire chapter takes place with Cole in only one position. What is that position and what do you think he is learning?
What emotion did he find even more unbearable than the pain?
Chapter Nine
Answer each of the following questions with complete sentences.
Cole is obviously injured badly as he lies there on the edge of the bay. What other conditions make this even worse for him?
Cole's bitterness and anger actually helped him keep from losing consciousness during this time. He was watching baby birds. What did he think he would do if he were the mother bird? Why did he feel that way?
The storm rages on and on until finally lightening strikes right beside him. What does it hit and what happens?
What do you think Cole is learning from the attack and the storm?
The author says that Cole had to focus on the moon to help him "remain on this side" What does he mean by that?
Cole tried to remember what Garvey and Edwin had said about circles as he watched the moon. What had they told him?
What does Cole do at the end of the chapter that tells the reader he is beginning to learn and grow?
Chapter Ten
Answer each of the following questions with complete sentences.
Why could Cole no longer be angry?
Describe the cycle that Cole finally understands - the circle Edwin had tried to explain to him.
Cole comes to the conclusion that he wants to live - why do you think he chooses life over death?
How was Cole like the baby birds?
Why couldn't he feel his right arm?
Chapter Eleven
Answer each of the following questions with complete sentences.
Before Cole ate the mouse to give himself energy, he said he "pitied the little mouse." How is this different from his attitude earlier in the story?
Cole felt satisfaction after he ate, explain why.
How did Cole get water?
Describe Cole's emotions when the Spirit Bear returned.
Why did he spit at the bear?
Chapter Twelve
Answer each of the following questions with complete sentences.
Why did Cole cry when the Spirit Bear left him alone?
The Spirit Bear returns and this time Cole's response is different. How?
Why did Cole reach out and touch the bear?
What does the bear do that Cole didn't expect?
What does Cole discover about the world just as he was growing delirious?
Pretend you are Garvey, the probation officer, how would you feel finding Cole in the condition he was in?
What does Cole mean when he tells Garvey he is okay?
Chapter Thirteen
Answer each of the following questions with complete sentences.
Who is Rosey?
Describe the difference in the way Cole treats Garvey and Edwin now and how he treated them in the first chapters.
Cole tells Garvey that the bear attack was his fault, what does he mean?
Describe Cole's dream (nightmare). Who does he call out for?
Garvey admits that he is helping Cole for himself. Explain.
Rosey gives Cole good advice. What is it?
Cole tells Edwin that he is done being mad. What does Edwin tell him anger is?
Why does Cole throw away his only proof that the Spirit Bear was real?
Write about a time that you were strongly affected by an outside force. What happened? Why do you remember it? How did it change you?
Chapter Fourteen
Answer each of the following questions with complete sentences.
Describe Cole's physical condition at the beginning of this chapter.
What did Cole's dad do for him during his hospitalization? His mom?
Why did Garvey warn Cole that the healing of his physical wounds was the easy part?
What has happened to the at'oow at this point?
What has happened to Cole's mom? Why is she doing so much better?
What information does his mom reveal to him about his dad?
What was Garvey's surprise for Cole at the Circle Justice meeting?
List the members of the circle who were missing this time.
If you were a part of the circle at this point - what would you have recommended be done with Cole?
Chapter Fifteen
Answer each of the following questions with complete sentences.
What did most members of the Circle believe should happen to Cole?
What information did Peter Driscal's lawyer reveal about his recovery?
Describe Edwin's demonstration for the circle?
What lesson did Edwin want the Circle members to gain from his demonstration?
What new information regarding the white bears did Edwin reveal?
Why did Cole say that on the Island he "realized he was dying and I had never really even lived yet"? (Pg 132)
Why was Cole's father so angry and abusive?
What did Circle Justice decide to do with Cole?
Chapter Sixteen
Answer each of the following questions with complete sentences.
Cole struggles physically with tasks that should be simple, why?
What news does Garvey break to Cole once they are back on the island?
What does Edwin do to the skiff that demonstrates a lack of trust for Cole?
What does Cole learn about trust?
Why is "the whole world a hotdog?"
Describe how Garvey's meal was different from Cole's'.
What did Edwin tell Cole to celebrate when Cole complained about nothing to celebrate about?
Chapter Seventeen
Answer each of the following questions with complete sentences.
What kept Cole awake all night his first night back on the island?
What new experience did Edwin introduce Cole to at dawn? Why?
Describe Edwin's demonstration for Cole with the stick. What lesson did he want Cole to learn?
What do happiness and anger have in common?
Chapter Eighteen
Answer each of the following questions with complete sentences.
When Garvey, Edwin and Cole were watching the whales, what did Edwin decide to do that evening?
What were some of Cole's responsibilities on the island to prepare for his banishment?
Who paid for all of the new supplies and cabin materials? How?
Why did Edwin insist that Cole do the whale dance?
Why didn't Edwin have Cole dance an anger dance to release his anger, yet?
Cole wanted to skip a day of going to the water. When did Edwin say he could do that?
Describe what Edwin had Cole do to meet his ancestors and why he did it.
Chapter Nineteen
Answer each of the following questions with complete sentences.
What will be Cole's last chore before leaving the island?
What happens when Cole announces that he is hitting the sack for the night?
Garvey announced that he was finished on the island because there was not enough room for him and his ______________________.
When Cole apologized to Garvey and Edwin, what did they tell him?
Garvey and Edwin left Cole early and went to their tent. What did Cole do after they left?
What did he learn?
What did Cole do the next morning?
What did he see at the end of the chapter as he was preparing to go back to camp?
What do you think Cole learned in this chapter?
Chapter Twenty
What does Cole tell Edwin and Garvey he has learned when he returns to camp following his morning soak?
On page 169, Cole was glowing with satisfaction, why do you think he was so satisfied?
Describe the evening meal he prepared for Edwin and Garvey. Why did he do this?
What dance does Cole choose to do?
Why do you think he chose to do this particular dance?
Describe what Cole learned in this chapter.
Chapter Twenty One
Answer each of the following questions with complete sentences.
Describe a day in Cole's life on the island.
What were his first thoughts about the log?
How did it make him feel when he was thinking about escape?
What did he do about it?
What are totems?
Why can't Cole dance the dance of anger yet?
In this chapter Cole learns not to lie to himself. Write a paragraph about a time when you lied to yourself, and you knew it. Cole chopped his potential canoe up to keep from acting on his lie - what did you do to protect yourself from your lie?
Chapter Twenty Two
Answer each of the following questions with complete sentences.
Cole works hard on his totem in this chapter. What does he carve first and why does he choose that particular animal?
Why does he carve the wolf next?
What does he learn from the beaver?
What about Edwin's behavior troubles Cole when Edwin drops off supplies?
Why do you think Cole's rage keeps reappearing? What unwelcome emotions do you have that are difficult to overcome? Why?
Chapter Twenty Three
Answer each of the following questions with complete sentences.
Cole finally discovers the secret to becoming invisible, what is it?
Describe Cole's experience of becoming invisible. Did he get what he wanted from this experience?
How did he celebrate his ability to become invisible?
Which dance was Cole finally able to perform? Describe what happened during his dance.
When Cole cried out "I'm Sorry!" which people do you believe he was apologizing to?
He also came to a final point where he began to cry and cried loudly "I forgive you!" Who did he forgive? Why?
Tell about a time when you found it hard to forgive someone.
Chapter Twenty Four
Answer each of the following questions with complete sentences.
Cole learned something very critical about anger - what is it?
What do you think he should carve to show that he learned to forgive?
What is it that Cole had to discover before he could heal his wounded heart and broken spirit?
What word does Edwin bring Cole about Peter in February?
Why does Edwin believe Peter tried to take his own life?
What solution does Cole come up with to help Peter?
What would you chose to do to help him if you were in Cole's position?
Chapter Twenty Five
Answer each of the following questions with complete sentences.
How does Edwin respond to Cole's idea to bring Peter to the island?
How long is Cole willing to stay on the island in order to help Peter?
Describe how Edwin holds Cole accountable for everything.
What does Cole tell everyone about the island?
When does he tell them was the turning point when he began to think about something besides himself?
Edwin forces Cole to tell the group why he hasn't carved the bottom of the totem yet. What does he tell them?
How does Peter respond?
How would you feel at this point if you were Cole? What would you do?
Chapter Twenty Six
Answer each of the following questions with complete sentences.
Describe how Cole treated his guests the first night they were on the island.
What are Cole's thoughts as he soaks in the pond the next day?
What is Peter's attitude about staying on the island with Cole?
Describe the incident between Mr. Driscal and Cole.
What information does Garvey bring Cole about his father? How does Cole react?
How does Garvey want him to pay him back for his kindness?
Peter is confused about how to respond to Cole - he does some strange things. He is nasty and nice. Why might he be doing this different kinds of things?
Chapter Twenty Seven
Answer each of the following questions with complete sentences.
What was the last straw for Cole?
How does Cole respond? What kindness does he show Peter?
Why did they dance the mouse dance? What did they learn?
What did Garvey tell Cole when Cole said that Peter would never forgive him?
How does Cole explain to Peter why he threw away proof that he had been mauled by a white bear?
What does Peter do to Cole's totem while he and Garvey are out looking for whales?
How does Cole respond?
Chapter Twenty Eight
Answer each of the following questions with complete sentences.
What does Peter propose for their morning soak?
Describe his treatment of Cole.
Why do you think he did this?
How did Cole respond?
Describe what happens.
What did the boys carve together at the bottom of Cole's totem? Why?
How would you describe life, as you know it?
What do you believe is the most important lesson to be learned from "Touching Spirit Bear?
Vocabulary List
Directions: Define each word below. Use in a sentence.
defiant (p.3)
skiff (p.3)
at`oow (p.19)
Circle Justice (p. 12)
barrage (p. 24)
venomous (p. 25)
sullenly (p.30)
banishment (p. 31)
symbolizes (p.38)
obligations (p.38)
dignity (p.44)
isolate (p. 46)
devoted (p. 47)
taunted (p. 48)
persistent (p. 52)
scrounged (p. 53)
manipulated (p. 55)
remote (p. 55)
vanished (p.59)
boughs (p.60)
shrouded (p.60)
incessant (p. 63)
gluttonous (p. 68)
mauling (p.69)
bile (p. 72)
haphazard ( p.75)
detonated (p.77)
silhouetted (p.96)
bizarre (p.98)
antibiotics (p.104)
hobbled (p. 115)
diminished (p.126)
sarcastically (p.129)
savoring (p.139)
ancestry (p.183)
totem (p.183)
ceremoniously ( p. 191)
indifferently ( p. 229)
massive (p. 238)
