George Flashcards
‘I never seen no jail bait worse than her’
(George As A Caregiver And Protector)
Although it can be seen as a defensive form of protection for Lennie due to what happened in Weed. He its also presented as a misogyny who bases his ideas solely on Candy’s views
‘I got you to look after me and you got me to look after you’
(George As A Caregiver And Protector)
This is one of George’s most heartfelt moments, where he reinforces his sense of responsibility and the bond he shares with Lennie. The reciprocal nature of their relationship is central to the novel’s theme of friendship and loyalty. George’s emotional attachment to Lennie contrasts with the lonely, self-serving world of the Great Depression, where most men are isolated and alone.
‘I ain’t mad at you. I’m mad at the whole damn world’
(George As A Caregiver And Protector)
George’s frustration is directed not at Lennie, but at the world that makes their lives so difficult. This quote reveals George’s protective instinct and shows how the pressures of their existence weigh heavily on him, but he never directs his anger at Lennie.
‘We’re gonna have a little house’
(American Dream)
This adjective emphasises how the littlest land can get them excited as they’ll live in a community and have a sense of security when living together.
‘We’ll live of the fatta the lan’
(American Dream)
This metaphor emphasises how their dreams offer them a sense of stability and companionship. This is linked to the Great Depression when itinerant workers wanted to escape poverty and hardship.
‘He looked raptly at the wall…nuts’
(American Dream)
The adverb raptly emphasises how excited George gets when he visualises their dream as it’s the only thing that he can think of to not affect his mental health. It’s also a juxtaposition position as he then gives up on the dream showing how itinerant workers didn’t believe in themselves to do great things which is a cause of the Great Depression.
They looked at each other ‘amazed’
(American Dream)
This also backs up the point of their dreams. Steinbeck’s point shows that men can achieve great things if they work hard together, which is in contrast to the capitalist American society
‘Guys like… are the loneliest guys in the world. With us, it ain’t like that.’
(American Dream)
In this quote, George highlights the importance of friendship for itinerant workers, as they were known to be the loneliest people ever as they were just competing with each other all the time.
George ‘looked at the back of Lennie’s head’
(Compassion)
This highlights George’s compassion towards Lennie as he wants to give him painless and quick death.
‘I just don’t like to see him hurt’ (George says to Slim while Lennie is hiding)
(Compassion)
George’s reluctance to let Lennie suffer speaks to his deep care for Lennie, and his selflessness. This moment is pivotal in understanding George’s internal conflict when it comes to the tragic decision he ultimately makes.
‘I can’t stand him in here. I can’t stand him’
(Compassion)
Though this seems like an angry outburst, it reflects the psychological toll of the decision George is about to make. He forces himself into this position, knowing that killing Lennie is the only way to spare him from a far worse fate at the hands of Curley’s mob.
