"Of Mice and Men" Final Assessment, English III Academic

1. One of the major themes of this novel is "Loneliness."  Please  explain (2) examples of this theme from the novel. (33.3 points) Please include lots of details. 

2. Another one of our major themes , and then repeated patterns, motifs, in  of Of Mice & Men is companionship. Think about the companionship between George and Lennie. "..God a'mighty, if I was alone I could live so easy.  I could go get a job an' work, 'an no trouble.  No mess at all, and when the end of the month come I could take my fifty bucks and go into town and get whatever I want....An' whatta I got, " George went on furiously.  " I got you!.." ~ George, Chapter 1.  

  Does Steinbeck, the author, present companionship as a positive or a negative thing?  Think about the relationship between Lennie and George.  Lennie causes lots of trouble for George, yet George still sticks with him. Why would George do this? Is the relationship with Lennie and George healthy or unhealthy? Please explain your opinion in detail using examples from the book when appropriate. 

3. Finally, one other major theme of this novel is "The Dream." Specifically, George, Lennie's, and (later, Candy's) dream."  Explain what their dream is (their ultimate goal) what do they mean to wish to live: "Off the fatta the lan"? (33.3 points)