Candy Flashcards
Curley’s Wife calls him a ‘lousy ol sheep’
(Ageism Towards Old People)
This shows how old and crippled people weren’t valued in society due to ageism and inequality.
‘Candy looked for help from face to face’
(Ageism Towards Old People)
The repetition shows how old people weren’t listened to due to their age and low status as nobody wants to help him.
But it also shows how lonely old people were in American Society.
Candy ‘slowly rolled over’
(Ageism Towards Old People)
This adverb shows how upset Candy is however, he doesn’t have anywhere private to express his feelings showing the disrespect old people face in society. This also builds sympathy for him.
‘They looked at one another, amazed’
(Power Of Dreams)
These collective pronouns and assonance shows how seductive dreams are. The use of “amazed” highlights how Candy, for the first time in a long while, is taken aback by the possibility of a future that isn’t defined by hard labor and rejection. Steinbeck uses this reaction to show how cynical and hopeless Candy’s life has become, and this is the first moment in the novel where he sees a real chance for something better.
Candy ‘leaned forward eagerly’
(Power Of Dreams)
Here, Candy’s eagerness to join the dream is clear. The phrase “leaned forward eagerly” demonstrates how Candy is intensely drawn into the idea of a better future. His body language shows his desperation — he is no longer an observer but someone who wants to be part of something meaningful. By leaning forward, he is mentally and emotionally invested in the dream, as it promises him a sense of belonging and purpose that he desperately craves.
Candy calls Crooks ‘the stable buck is a n…, nice fella too’
(Racism)
this juxtaposition shows how normalised racial slurs were as even Candy is racist to Crooks even though they are both the longest ranch workers. Steinbeck uses Candy as a mouthpiece to show the racist society in America.
Candy ‘made no attempt to enter’
(Racism)
This shows how white people didn’t mic with black people due to the racist society, which shows the racial segregation faced by black people.
Candy says ‘Smitty took after the n…. Done pretty good too’
(Racism)
This makes us lose sympathy for Candy as he finds the act of racist violence pleasing and fun to watch.
Candy says Curley’s Wife ‘she got the eye’ and is ‘a tart’
(Misogyny)
These phrases show how Candy is a bitter misogynist towards Curley’s wife. This shows how prejudice breeds prejudice.
After Curley’s Wife death, he calls her ‘Godamn tramp’
(Misogyny)
Show how he’s sexist but also frustrated that the death of their dream has occurred showing how the American dream was a cultural myth.
