WORD LISTS

"Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck, Chapters 1–2

Mon Aug 11 22:27:00 EDT 2014
By Vocabulary.com (NY)Visual Thesaurus Moderator
Set during the Great Depression, Steinbeck's classic novel tells the story of shrewd, scheming George and loyal, childlike Lennie. The two farm workers dream of owning their own land but must struggle merely to survive.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapters 1–2, Chapters 3–4, Chapters 5–6

Here are links to our lists for other works by John Steinbeck: The Pearl, East of Eden, Cannery Row, The Grapes of Wrath, Travels with Charley
mottled
On one side of the river the golden foothill slopes curve up to the strong and rocky Gabilan Mountains, but on the valley side the water is lined with trees — willows fresh and green with every spring, carrying in their lower leaf junctures the debris of the winter's flooding; and sycamores with mottled, white, recumbent limbs and branches that arch over the pool.
recumbent
On one side of the river the golden foothill slopes curve up to the strong and rocky Gabilan Mountains, but on the valley side the water is lined with trees — willows fresh and green with every spring, carrying in their lower leaf junctures the debris of the winter's flooding; and sycamores with mottled, white, recumbent limbs and branches that arch over the pool.
morosely
George stared morosely at the water.
brusquely
"Awright," he said brusquely.
pantomime
But Lennie made an elaborate pantomime of innocence.
contemplate
Lennie hesitated, backed away, looked wildly at the brush line as though he contemplated running for his freedom.
imperiously
George's hand remained outstretched imperiously.
mollify
“Damn right he don’t,” said George, slightly mollified, “not if he wants to stay workin’ long.”
pugnacious
His glance was at once calculating and pugnacious.
ominously
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.”
derogatory
He had drawn a derogatory statement from George.
plaintively
“I don’t want no trouble,” he said plaintively.
contort
His face contorted with thought.
complacently
Lennie, who had been following the conversation back and forth with his eyes, smiled complacently at the compliment.
muse
“Ain’t many guys travel around together,” he mused.

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