Bindle, n.

P.3 “George unslung his bindle and dropped it gently on the bank (edge of the water).”

jack P.14 “We don’t

have to sit in no bar room blowin’ in our jack jus’ because we got no place to go.”

“…-we’re gonna get the jack together and we’re gonna have a little house…”

morosely, adv. in a bad mood,

unhappy and silent P. 4 “George

stared morosely at the water.”

Pantomime, n A method of

performing using only actions and not words

P.8 “But Lennie made an elaborate pantomime of innocence.”

Droned, v. a continuous low

noise P.6 “Lennie droned

to himself softly, “I ain’t gonna say nothin’… I ain’t gonna say nothin’ I ain’t gonna say nothin’”

Contemplated, v.

to consider thoroughly; think fully or deeply about

P.8 “Lennie hesitated, backed away, looked wildly at the brush line as though he contemplated running for his freedom.”

swamper, n. Pg.18 “The old

swamper shifted his broom and held it between his elbow and his side while he held out his hand for the can.”

tick, n. Pg.19 “George

lifted his tick and looked underneath it.”

Stable buck, n. P.19 “An’ he

give the stable buck hell, too.”

Skinner, n. Pg.22 “He’s a good

skinner.”

Cesspool, n. Large holes or

containers in the ground used to collect waste from buildings.

Pg.23 “We… we was diggin’ a cesspool.”

Ominously, adv. Ominous, adj. A feeling that

something bad is going to happen

p.g.27 “George was watching the door. He said ominously, “Well, he better watch out for Lennie.”

Pugnacious, adj. Very eager to

argue or fight with people

Pg.25 “His glance was at once calculating and pugnacious. Lennie squirmed under the look and shifted his feet nervously.

Derogatory, adj. Insulting and

disapproving Pg.27 “The old man

was reassured. He had drawn a derogatory statement from George.”

Mollified, v. (to mollify) To make someone

feel less angry or upset about something

Pg.24 “ “Damn right he don’t,” said George, slightly mollified, “not if he wants to stay workin’ long.”

derision, n. Words or actions

that show you have no respect for someone or something

P.38 “…and now and then the sounds of voices raised in approval or derision”

Receptive, adj. Willing to consider

new ideas or listen to someone else’s opinions

P. 39 “Slim neither encouraged nor discouraged him. He just sat back quiet and receptive.

Reprehensible, adj. Bad and deserving

criticism P.59 “When Candy

spoke they both jumped as though they had been caught doing something reprehensible.”

Reverence, n. Showing a lot of

respect and admiration

P.60 “George said reverently, ‘Jesus Christ! I bet we could swing her.’ His eyes were full of wonder.”

Aloof, adj. Not friendly,

especially because you think you are better than other people

P.67 “This room was swept and fairly neat, for Crooks was a proud, aloof man.

Fawning, adj. (to fawn, v.) To praise

someone and be friendly because you want something

P.68 “Lennie gulped and his smile grew more fawning.”

Apprehension, n. Worry that you

have to deal with something bad

P.72 “Lennie’s face wrinkled with apprehension. ‘I don’ know…”

Indignation, n. Feelings of anger

and surprise because you feel insulted or unfairly treated

P.78 She was breathless with indignation.

Crestfallen, adj. Disappointed

and sad, especially because you have failed to do something

P.83 “Candy was crestfallen. “Didn’t tell nobody but Crooks””

Woe, n. Problems and

troubles affecting someone

P.87 “Then all of Lennie’s woe came back on him.”

Writhe, v. To twist your body

from side to side violently, especially because you are suffering pain

P.91 “She struggled violently under his hands. Her feet battered on the hay and she writhed to be free…”

Belligerently, adv. In an unfriendly and

mean way, wanting to argue and fight

P.102 “Now Lennie retorted belligerently, “He ain’t neither.”

Monotonous, adj. Boring because it

is the same, no variety

P.103 “ His voice was monotonous, had no emphasis.”