This resource focuses on analyzing Chapter 1 of John Steinbeck's *Of Mice and Men*, specifically examining the dynamics between the characters George and Lennie through their dialogues. The learning objective is to help students differentiate between explicit statements made by the characters and inferred interpretations of their relationship, particularly in the context of a conflict over ketchup. The activities involve analyzing George’s complaints and Lennie's repetitive responses to explore deeper meanings and power dynamics in their interactions. Students will assess syntax choices and reflect on their confidence in distinguishing explicit versus inferred information, ultimately synthesizing insights on character dynamics and themes present in the text.