Of Mice and Men

What words and phrases does Steinbeck use in introducing us to Curley, which suggest that he might cause trouble for Lennie?

Chapter Two 

Asked by
Last updated by jill d #170087
Answers 1
Add Yours

From the text:

He glanced coldly at George and then at Lennie. His arms gradually bent at the elbows and his hands closed into fists. He stiffened and went into a slight crouch. His glance was at once calculating and pugnacious. Lennie squirmed under the look and shifted his feet nervously. Curley stepped gingerly close to him. "You the new guys the old man was waitin’ for?"

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Curley lashed his body around. "By Christ, he’s gotta talk when he’s spoke to. What the hell are you gettin’ into it for?"

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

The swamper considered . . . . "Well . . . . tell you what. Curley’s like alot 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. You seen little guys like that, ain’t you? Always scrappy?"

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

George was watching the door. He said ominously, "Well, he better watch out for Lennie. Lennie ain’t no fighter, but Lennie’s strong and quick and Lennie don’t know no rules."

Source(s)

Of Mice and Men/ Chapter Two