George Flashcards
“Restless eyes”
Has to keep alert to danger or trouble on behalf of Lennie.
He spoke “angrily” about the bus driver’s actions and uses expletives ‘damn’ ‘bastard’
He has a short temper.
“Think I’d let you carry your own work card”
He looked after both of their work cards because he knew that Lennie would lose his - paternalistic relationship.
“Give it here!” (the mouse)
He tells Lennie what to do - paternalistic relationship.
“Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world. They got no family. They don’t belong no place… They ain’t got nothing to look forward to.’
Friendship offers a sense of belonging and hope in bleak times- they both need each other, although George doesn’t show it as much
“we’re gonna have a little house’
The American dream- they’re itinerant workers and have nowhere to call home; the house represents security and a sense of belonging to a community.
“Let him have it”
If Curley picks a fight, Lennie should fight back- trying to protect Lennie- paternalistic relationship and friendship.
‘Jail bait’ ‘rat trap’
Misogynist towards women- Curley’s wife will land Lennie in trouble if he misinterprets her flirting she’ll panic and accuse him of assault.
“His voice was growing warmer”
He regards the dream warmly/fondly.
his face was “as tight and hard as wood”
He had to harden his emotions- he knows that Lennie must either be arrested or die.
“I think we’d knows from the very first… we’d never do her”
Implies that the American dream is a cultural myth and is unattainable by the majority of Americans.
“He looked the back of Lennie’s head, at the place where the spine and skull were joined”
George cares, he’s trying to make sure Lennie’s death is instant and painless.
“Ever’body gonna be nice to you. Ain’t gonna have no more trouble. Nobody gonna hurt nor steal from them. ”
Almost describing heaven. American society can be a hostile place- links to Great Depression.
“I ain’t mad. I never been mad”
To calm Lennie down and make sure he has a peaceful death. George feels guilty for losing his temperature with him in the past.
‘George let himself be helped to his feet’
Body weak from killing L
