Cruelty/suffering Flashcards
How does Steinbeck present cruelty as a self-perpetuating cycle?
Through oppressed characters like Crooks, Curley’s wife, and Candy, who enact cruelty on others when given the chance. Their actions show how societal oppression can breed bitterness and cruelty in turn. “Hatred breeds hatred… a cruel world only breeds further cruelty.”
What broader societal criticism is Steinbeck making through cruelty in the novel?
He critiques industrial capitalism and social Darwinism, suggesting that the system fails to protect the vulnerable and forces people into morally impossible situations. He explores whether it’s even possible to be good in such a society.
Why does Crooks psychologically torment Lennie and what does this reveal?
Crooks cruelly tells Lennie George won’t return, his “face lighted with pleasure” as he sees Lennie panic. This rare moment of dominance shows how deeply he craves power in a world where he has none. It reveals how oppression distorts morality and how cruelty can arise from vulnerability.
How is Curley’s wife shown to be cruel and why is this significant?
She threatens Crooks with lynching—“I could get you strung up on a tree so easy.” Her cruelty stems from her own powerlessness, reflecting how even the most oppressed can enact violence when society allows them a shred of authority.
How does Candy’s regret over not shooting his dog reflect Steinbeck’s message about mercy and cruelty?
Candy says “I ought to have shot that dog myself,” highlighting how mercy killing can be an act of love—not cruelty. This foreshadows George’s final act and frames it as compassionate rather than brutal.
1.
In what way is Slim’s drowning of the puppies symbolic of justified cruelty?
Slim drowns the pups “right off” to give the rest “a chance to live.” His action is utilitarian, choosing the greater good in a world where pragmatism > sentimentality. It shows how survival may demand cruelty, but not necessarily malice.
Why does Steinbeck present Slim as a moral authority, especially in relation to cruelty?
Slim’s moral standing means when he says to George “You hadda, George,” the reader trusts that the killing of Lennie was the right choice. His perspective reframes George’s seemingly cruel act as merciful and necessary.
How does the killing of Lennie reflect Steinbeck’s critique of society?
George kills Lennie to save him from a worse fate: lynching or institutional cruelty (e.g., electric shocks, lobotomies). Steinbeck suggests society has left George no kind options. The act is a tragic mercy in a world where “to be kind is to cause suffering.”
What does the contrast between George and Carlson at the end reveal?
While George and Slim grieve, Carlson says, “Now what the hell ya suppose is eatin’ them two guys?” His emotional detachment underscores how normalized cruelty has become and highlights the rare humanity in George’s sorrow.
How does Steinbeck use cruelty to critique social Darwinism?
By showing how the vulnerable are crushed (e.g. Crooks, Candy, Curley’s wife), Steinbeck critiques the belief in “survival of the fittest.” He suggests it leads to a society where no kindness can survive.
How does the novel suggest that cruelty is sometimes inseparable from kindness?
Actions like George’s or Slim’s may appear cruel but are ultimately acts of compassion. Steinbeck blurs the lines to explore whether true morality can exist in a society as broken as 1930s America.
What are all the key quotes that show cruelty as morally complex or justified in Of Mice and Men?
“You hadda, George. I swear you hadda.” – Slim justifies George’s mercy killing of Lennie.
“I ought to of shot that dog myself.” – Candy regrets not showing compassion himself.
“I got to drown four of ’em right off. She couldn’t feed that many.” – Slim drowns pups for their survival.
“His face lighted with pleasure in his torture.” – Crooks temporarily feels power by tormenting Lennie.
“I could get you strung up on a tree so easy it ain’t even funny.” – Curley’s wife wields cruelty born from her own oppression.
“Now what the hell ya suppose is eatin’ them two guys?” – Carlson’s lack of empathy contrasts George and Slim’s deep moral struggle.
What are the subtopics within the theme of moral complexity and cruelty in the novel?
Mercy vs. Brutality – George killing Lennie out of love, not violence.
Survival and Pragmatism – Slim killing puppies shows utilitarian thinking.
Oppression Breeds Cruelty – Crooks and Curley’s wife assert power when they can.
Contrast in Morality – Slim and George vs. Carlson and Curley (humanity vs. coldness).
Sentimentality is a weakness – The novel suggests emotional sensitivity is dangerous in a cruel world.
What contextual ideas help explain the cruelty in the world of Of Mice and Men?
The Great Depression (1930s) – Poverty, joblessness, and hopelessness created a survivalist mindset.
Social Darwinism – The idea that only the strong survive, justifying harsh treatment of the weak.
Racial Injustice – Black Americans like Crooks were dehumanized and powerless.
Patriarchy – Women like Curley’s wife had little agency, leading to manipulative cruelty.
Industrial Capitalism – Steinbeck criticizes a system that crushes compassion for the sake of survival.
What is Steinbeck’s overall message about cruelty and moral choices in the novel?
Steinbeck suggests that in a broken, oppressive society, even kind people are forced into cruelty. There may be no truly “good” choices—only less cruel ones. He critiques a system where morality is crushed by survival and where compassion often leads to tragedy.
what are all the key quotations on a cruel setting?
- ‘golden foothill slopes’- imagery of warmth and greenery, contrasts bleak bunkhouse
- ‘soledad’ - connotations of lonliness
- ‘small, square window’ - dreary atmosphere and lack of hope
all key quotes for are humans inately cruel or a product of their enviroment?
- ‘give him one of the pups to raise up?’ - carlson is presented as dissmisive and heartless, incapable of understanding emotional attachment.
- ‘now what the hell ya suppose is eatin’ them two guys?’ - inability to understand emotional connection and his disregard for human life.
quotes that show cruelty of the land owners?
- ‘don’t try to put nothin’ over’ - boss doesn’t think freindship is possible - pure cruelty.
- ‘high heeled boots’ - superiority, superficial power? have to resort to aggression and cruelty to earn respect.
quotes that show cruelty born form weakness?
- ‘i could get you strung up on a tree it ain’t even funny’ - lynching, crooks is bottom of hierachy.
- ‘you goddamn tramp’, ‘you done it, di’n’t you? - normalisation of violence towards women. lennie’s death is more tragic than curley’s wife’s. scapegoats her, pathetic only person he can have power over is dead.
‘lighted with pleasure in his torture’ - crooks phycologically tortures lennie - mentally superior, few moments he has power.
steinbeck is saying cruelty breed more cruelty.
quotes that show cruelty born from good intentions?
- ‘i drowned four of ‘em right off’ - slim is governed by greater good and is not drawn into sentimentality.
- ‘i outght to of shot that dog myself’ - draws a parralel to georges euthanasia
- ‘you hadda, i swear you hadda’ - slims supports georges mercy killing. - at the end every option could be considered cruel so in the end he is forced into simply making the least cruel option.
