Section 2 - Overview

Section 2 Overview

In section 2, we meet members of the ranch. George and Lennie's relationship is still unexplained and complex. Steinbeck uses the Boss and Slim to present differing attitudes to friendship.

Atmosphere created by the ranch

The atmosphere in the bunkhouse is one of loneliness and sorrow.
The men who live there are single and isolated, and it’s clear that the Great Depression, a period of economic crisis in the 1930s, has taken its toll on the workers.

The Boss and attitudes to friendship

The Boss can’t understand why two men would be travelling together, and especially why George would go out of his way to help Lennie.
This shows that the idea of friendship is not a familiar one on the ranch: people are used to looking out for themselves only.

George's fear of Curley and his wife

The combination of Curley’s aggression and Curley’s Wife’s flirtatious attitude suggests to George that there is going to be trouble.
Steinbeck is building up the tension and suggesting that danger lies in the future.

Slim and attitudes to friendship

Slim has an ability to see past the harshness of life on the ranch, and to see the beauty of George and Lennie’s friendship.
His admiration of George and Lennie again shows just how rare it is to have a companion in this environment.

1Context & Overview

1.1Context & Overview

1.1.1The Great Depression

1.1.2Racism

1.1.3The American Dream

1.1.4Of Mice & Men

1.2John Steinbeck

1.2.1John Steinbeck's Life

1.2.2End of Topic Test - Context & Overview

2Plot

2.1Section 1 - Analysis

2.1.1Section 1 - Plot

2.1.2Section 1 - Overview

2.2Section 2 - Analysis

2.2.1Section 2 - Plot

2.2.2Section 2 - Overview

2.3Section 3 - Analysis

2.3.1Section 3 - Plot

2.3.2Section 3 - Overview

2.3.3End of Topic Test - Sections 1-3

2.4Section 4 - Analysis

2.4.1Section 4 - Plot

2.4.2Section 4 - Overview

2.5Section 5 - Analysis

2.5.1Section 5 - Plot

2.5.2Section 5 - Overview

2.6Section 6 - Analysis

2.6.1Section 6 - Plot

2.6.2Section 6 - Overview

2.6.3End of Topic Test - Sections 4-6

3Key Characters

3.1Main Characters

3.1.1George

3.1.2Lennie - Strength

3.1.3Lennie - Innocence & Dependence

3.1.4Slim

3.1.5Curley

3.1.6Curley's Wife - Flirtatious

3.1.7Curley's Wife - Lonely & Heartbroken

3.1.8Crooks

3.1.9Candy

3.1.10End of Topic Test - George & Lennie

3.1.11End of Topic Test - Slim, Curley & Curley's Wife

3.2Minor Characters

3.2.1Minor Characters

3.2.2End of Topic Test - Crooks, Candy & Others

4Themes

4.1Key Themes

4.1.1Hopes, Dreams & Reality

4.1.2Racial Prejudice

4.1.3Loneliness & Companionship

4.1.4The Weak & Strong

4.1.5Women

4.1.6End of Topic Test - Key Themes

5Authorial Method

5.1Writing Techniques

5.1.1Dialogue

5.1.2Imagery

5.1.3Light

5.1.4Sound

5.1.5Symbolism

5.1.6Structure

5.1.7End of Topic Test - Writing Techniques

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