GCSE John Steinbeck | Themes Revision, Of Mice and Men

English Literature Quiz - Of Mice and Men - Themes (Questions)

Explore key themes in Of Mice and Men, from friendship and dreams to power, prejudice and loneliness, and get ready to impress in your GCSE English Literature exam.

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Fascinating Fact:

Power and powerlessness appear in physical strength, money, gender, and race, with characters like Curley and the boss dominating weaker figures.

In GCSE English Literature, this quiz focuses on key themes in Of Mice and Men, such as friendship, dreams, power, prejudice and loneliness, and how they shape characters and outcomes.

Key Terms

Theme: A central idea that runs through a text, such as friendship, power, or isolation.
Motif: A repeated image, idea or detail that draws attention to an important theme.
Symbolism: When objects, places or actions stand for deeper ideas, such as a dream representing hope.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What are the main themes in Of Mice and Men for GCSE?

Common themes include friendship, the American Dream, loneliness, power and powerlessness, and prejudice. Examiners expect you to link these themes to characters, settings and key scenes.

How does Steinbeck show the American Dream in Of Mice and Men?

Steinbeck shows the American Dream through George and Lennie’s plan for a farm, and through other characters’ hopes. The repeated failures suggest that the dream is fragile and often out of reach.

How can I revise themes in Of Mice and Men effectively?

Choose a theme, list key quotations, and note which characters and settings link to it. Then practise short exam style paragraphs explaining how Steinbeck presents that theme.

Try These Related Quizzes

The theme of friendship is best exemplified by the relationship between which characters?

[ ]	Curley and his wife
[ ]	Slim and Curley
[ ]	George and Candy
[ ]	Lennie and George

What are George and Lennie denied in their lives as migrant labourers but hope to gain in their shared dream?

[ ]	Romantic love
[ ]	A chance to take control of their own lives
[ ]	Friendship
[ ]	All of the above

Before he hears about Lennie's and George's dream, Candy can only foresee leaving the ranch as a form of loss. What does he fear losing?

[ ]	The respect of Slim
[ ]	The chance to own another dog
[ ]	Money
[ ]	Purpose and dignity

Which theme comes to the forefront during Lennie's discussion with Curley's wife in the barn?

[ ]	Loneliness
[ ]	Hope
[ ]	Innocence
[ ]	All of the above

What theme is shared in common by Lennie's crushing of Curley's hand, the episode in Weed, and the hunt for Lennie at the end of the novel?

[ ]	Rough justice
[ ]	Courage
[ ]	The tragic condition of humanity
[ ]	Loneliness

Who represents an authentic form of authority?

[ ]	Curley
[ ]	The owner of the ranch
[ ]	Slim
[ ]	Carlson

The name of the nearby town, Soledad, is most closely related to which of the following themes?

[ ]	Hope
[ ]	Friendship
[ ]	Loneliness
[ ]	Injustice

How does the killing of Lennie differ from the vigilante violence planned for him by Curley?

[ ]	Curley would have asked for Lennie to be arrested, not killed
[ ]	George acts out of compassion
[ ]	Lennie's killing by George is not a violent act
[ ]	George has no emotions, whereas Curley is full of anger

Which one of the following is NOT related to the theme of belonging?

[ ]	The racism which stops Crooks being welcomed into the bunkhouse
[ ]	Lennie's insistence that he could look after himself without George
[ ]	The isolation of Curley's wife as the only woman on the ranch
[ ]	The distinction between migrant workers and those, such as Candy and Crooks, who are permanently attached to the ranch

10.

Hope in the novel is powerful enough to overcome cynicism. Which character reluctantly allows his hope to overpower his doubts?

[ ]	Crooks
[ ]	Slim
[ ]	Candy
[ ]	George

You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - Themes

English Literature Quiz - Of Mice and Men - Themes (Answers)

The theme of friendship is best exemplified by the relationship between which characters?

[ ]	Curley and his wife
[ ]	Slim and Curley
[ ]	George and Candy
[x]	Lennie and George

Friendship is so rare and valuable in the novel that the relationship between Lennie and George draws comments. Each of the two men fears losing the other

What are George and Lennie denied in their lives as migrant labourers but hope to gain in their shared dream?

[ ]	Romantic love
[x]	A chance to take control of their own lives
[ ]	Friendship
[ ]	All of the above

Owning land means that the two men will no longer be dependent on the whims of others. The two men already have friendship and the thought of romantic love never intrudes on their dream of owning land

Before he hears about Lennie's and George's dream, Candy can only foresee leaving the ranch as a form of loss. What does he fear losing?

[ ]	The respect of Slim
[ ]	The chance to own another dog
[ ]	Money
[x]	Purpose and dignity

Candy knows he will have to leave the ranch when he is too old and physically unable to undertake any work

Which theme comes to the forefront during Lennie's discussion with Curley's wife in the barn?

[ ]	Loneliness
[ ]	Hope
[ ]	Innocence
[x]	All of the above

Their hopes, loneliness and underlying innocence bring the two characters together for a few brief moments in the barn

What theme is shared in common by Lennie's crushing of Curley's hand, the episode in Weed, and the hunt for Lennie at the end of the novel?

[x]	Rough justice
[ ]	Courage
[ ]	The tragic condition of humanity
[ ]	Loneliness

The ranch seems far from the rule of law and the men share a sense of how particular behaviours should or should not be punished. Because Curley provokes the fight with Lennie, the other men force him to accept their fabricated version of the story. This type of justice has a much darker side when groups of men seek Lennie in order to get revenge, as in Weed and at the end of the novel

Who represents an authentic form of authority?

[ ]	Curley
[ ]	The owner of the ranch
[x]	Slim
[ ]	Carlson

Slim's authority derives from his skill at his work in addition to his thoughtful, considered manner

The name of the nearby town, Soledad, is most closely related to which of the following themes?

[ ]	Hope
[ ]	Friendship
[x]	Loneliness
[ ]	Injustice

The mention of Soledad (Spanish for loneliness or solitude) in the first line of the novel leads the reader into a story where every character is weighed down with his or her solitude in the world. The friendship between Lennie and George is a bulwark against this heart-wrenching loneliness

How does the killing of Lennie differ from the vigilante violence planned for him by Curley?

[ ]	Curley would have asked for Lennie to be arrested, not killed
[x]	George acts out of compassion
[ ]	Lennie's killing by George is not a violent act
[ ]	George has no emotions, whereas Curley is full of anger

Although the killing is still violent and shocking, George acts out of compassion, wishing to protect Lennie from whatever violence Curley and the other men would inflict on him