Context and symbols Flashcards
1
Q
American Dream
A
- A national ethos of USA
- That anyone can achieve freedom and success through hard work
- Implies that there are few boundaries to get there
2
Q
Steinbecks Morality
A
- Steinbeck was angry that being a good person did not lead to success in America
- This is reflected in Slim
3
Q
Racism
A
- Segregation
- Lynching was common
- California was less impacted than other places (Golden state for everyone)
4
Q
Great Depression
A
- After Wall Street Crash of 1929, the 1930s were awful
- Millions became unemployed
- No social support so people just starved
5
Q
Social Darwinism
A
- Harsh economic climate meant only the strong survived
- Links to comparisons between men and animals
6
Q
Gender Inequality
A
- Great depression meant women lost their jobs first
- Return to very outdated ideas for women e.g only housewives
7
Q
Golden California
A
- Dust storms in 1930s wiped out agriculture in south
- California unaffacted
- Workers from all over USA came to find work
8
Q
“Of Mice and Men” title
A
- From a Robert Burns poem
- Mouses home is destroyed by a plough, dreams destroyed
- “Best layed plans of Mice and Men/ Gang aft a-gley”
9
Q
Candys Dog
A
- Represents those who are old and not strong
10
Q
Cards
A
- Entertainment as sparse and basic
- The games played reveal a lot e.g solitaire (loneliness)
11
Q
Light and Dark
A
- Light represents hope
- End of the novel is at sunset (hope is leaving)
12
Q
George and Lennies ranch
Rabbits
A
- Way of ridiculing the American Dream
- The ridiculousness of the rabbits reflects this
13
Q
Hands
A
- Used to denote social class and need for physicality
14
Q
Water Snake
A
- Seen in Chapter 1 and 6
- Killed in 6, shows harshness of society
15
Q
Characters
A
- Each character represents a section of society
- The ranch is a micro-cosm
16
Q
The brush
A
- Representation of the peace of nature away from humans
- Cyclical return also shows the impossibilty of American Dream
