George Flashcards
What are the 6 qualities of George?
Lennie's protector Short-tempered Lonely Misogynistic Dreamer Moral
What 3 quotes demonstrate George being Lennie’s protector? State them and what they mean.
“first man”, “follower” - power dynamics clearly established in first description of George and Lennie: George is the leader and Lennie clearly depends on him.
“…don’t drink so much…you gonna be sick” - reprimands Lennie like a father scolding a child, has his interests in mind though his temper is tested
“I ain’t done nothing like that no more” - incident at Sacramento river has a sacred significance: he realises moral duty comes with power - fulfils it through praise to Boss and Slim and him soothing Lennie with their dream
Could be argued killing Lennie was the most significant way he protects him
What is the context behind George being Lennie’s protector?
Symbol of human compassion - contrasts with society he lives in
High unemployment caused by Great Depression and Dust Bowl - every man for himself
President Hoover championed ‘self-reliance’ and ‘rugged individualism’ - says it protected American liberties but it really abandoned most vulnerable in society
Could also mirror power landowners had over workers - he uses power responsibly while owners exploit migrant workers
Steinbeck encourages the reader to question our moral duty to one another
What 3 quotes demonstrate George being short-tempered? State them and what they mean.
“you crazy bastard” - aggression contrasts his paternal role, makes his reader call his character into question
“When I think of the crazy time I’d have without you, I go nuts.” - occasional insensitivity reveals how burdened he feels being responsible for Lennie, never strays from doing so despite his callousness, outbursts reveal sacrifice George makes and extent of his unhappiness
“Please don’t do that” “George’ll be mad” - Lennie controlled by fear, could be argued that Curley’s wife’s death results from fear instilled in Lennie
What is the context behind George being short-tempered?
Those with mental disabilities in 1930s were often segregated from society - admitted into mental asylums, viewed as a burden to society
Occasional poor treatment of Lennie mirrors how the mentally ill were inhumanely treated
Little understanding about mental illness at the time, many treatments like lobotomy did more harm than good - attempt to control Lennie through fear is an example of this
What 2 quotes demonstrate George being lonely? State them and what they mean.
“I got you to look after me and you got me to look after you” - refrain reveals interdependency of George’s relationship with Lennie, he gets companionship
“solitaire” - described as repeatedly playing the game for one, symbolising his loneliness or foreshadowing the solitary life ahead of him
What is the context behind George being lonely?
High demand for work amongst migrant workers create a competitive and hostile environment
Workers set against each other in the name of self-interest, rather than being united by their hardships
Transient lifestyle made it impossible to settle down with a family
What quote demonstrates George being misogynistic? State it and its meaning?
“tramp” “bitch” “rattrap” “poison” “jailbait”
His instant dislike for Curley’s wife based on little interaction reveals contempt for women
Contradictory - daydreams about being able to stay in a “cat house” all night, potentially visits “Old Susy’s place” in Chapter 4
What is the context behind George being misogynistic?
He grew up in a patriarchal society where women are considered the weaker sex
Steinbeck draws attention to impossible position of women in 1930s - expected to be pure and domesticated but were objectified by men to serve sexual needs
Transient life could mean he has no experience with women - threatened by Curley’s wife, who challenges binary stereotypes of women?
What quote demonstrates George being a dreamer? State it and its meaning.
“living offa the fatta the lan”
Has ambition to be self-sufficient and control his own fate
Sharing this ambition with Lennie and eventually Candy goes against grain of self-interested ethos of migrant worker
Gives him comfort and sense of purpose during this difficult time
What is the context behind George being a dreamer?
Dream of having a ranch symbolises the American Dream - his failure highlights its unattainability during the Great Depression but emphasises its necessity to make life bearable
Novel’s title alludes to Robert Burn’s famous quote “The best laid schemes o’ Mice an’ Men. Gang aft agley” - highlighting man is doomed, human nature is an obstacle in life along with poverty and exploitation
What 3 quotes demonstrate George being moral? State them and their meaning.
“I ought to of shot that dog myself” - draws a parallel to George’s predicament, presents his action as euthanasia
“You hadda, I swear you hadda” - moral authority of novella supports George’s actions, comforting the reader
“Now what the hell ya suppose is eatin’ them” - contrasts George and Slim to others, emphasising their compassion
What are the 2 components of Steinbeck’s message told through George?
Commentary on fundamentally flawed social and economic system of 1930s America - impossible to succeed and to be/do good
Exploration of human nature - seek to destroy each other, strength is born out of weakness
