Death (OMAM) Flashcards
What is death presented as in Of Mice and Men?
A central theme throughout the novella, appearing numerous times as both a physical event and an inescapable force that affects us all, highlighting the harsh reality of life and the inevitability of failure in the pursuit of happiness.
What quote does Lennie use to describe the mouse?
“jus’ a dead mouse”
What is the significance of Lennie saying its “jus’ a dead mouse”
Adverb “jus’ “ (contraction just) trivialises the mouse and makes it and its death seem insignificant, foreshadowing the inevitable deaths of Lennie, Candy’s dog, Curley’s wife etc. , which outside of the microcosm that is the ranch, will be completely insignificant to society
Symbolises the uncontrollable, destructive strength of Lennie, foreshadowing the deaths of his puppy and, more notably, Curley’s wife
Why is the scene with the dead mouse placed at the start of the novel?
Structurally, it immediately introduces the reader to the recurring motif of death
Why is a mouse featured within the novel and its title?
Based off a poem by Robert Burns, ‘To a mouse’
In the poem, a mouse’s nest is destroyed by a farmer, representing the powerlessness and fragility that both mice and humans possess when confronted with larger, external forces that will inevitably destroy their dreams.
What did Slim do to some of his pups?
“drowned four of ‘em”
What is the significance of Slim drowning some of his pups?
Represents the harsh nature of the Great Depression, where sacrifices had to be made and sentimentality was absent
Since the mother could not feed all of the pups, only the strongest ones were allowed to survive, showcasing the Darwinian nature of society, and how anyone’s life is decided by their utility above everything else
Mirrors how society rejects the old, disabled etc. as they are weak and serve no practical function
How does Carlson describe Candy’s dog?
“damn near blind”
“stinks like hell”
What is the significance of the way Carlson describes Candy’s dog?
“damn near blind”, “stinks like hell” - Carlson attempts to portray death as a relief from the dog’s suffering, as it is so old that it has lost its purpose and is seen as useless in society
Also reflects its owner, Candy, who is soon to lose his function in society and will be rejected too; the farm is a microcosm for wider society
What quote proves that Candy’s dog did once have a purpose?
“best damn sheepdog I ever seen” - Once had a purpose, but now that it has been lost, due to forces outside of his control, he is deemed worthless
Slim ultimately agrees with Carlson that the best decision is to shoot Candy’s dog. What quotes show that Slim agrees, and that he has the final say?
“wisht somebody’d shoot me” if he had the same fate
Slim’s “opinions were law”, and since Candy is below him in the hierarchy of the ranch, there is nothing he can do
What is Candy’s greatest fear?
Losing his purpose in society, causing him to be sacked from his job at the ranch and live out the rest of his life in isolation and misery
What does Candy say in hindsight about the killing of his dog?
He “ought to have shot that dog” himself
Candy wishes he could’ve taken the action into his own hands and shot his dog himself out of mercy. What does this foreshadow?
George killing Lennie out of mercy in the same way, sparing him from a worse fate
Taking responsibility for the death of a companion is a mark of humanity and loyalty, which may have influenced George’s decision later in the novella
What does Lennie and his puppy symbolise?
Lennie’s desire to care for the puppy - a smaller, weaker creature - is similar to how George cares for Lennie, who may be physically strong but is mentally weak
Inevitably, both Lennie and the puppy are unable to be protected from the hostility of this world by the one who cares for them most, leading them to lose their lives
