Lennie Flashcards
What is the historical context of mice and men?
During the great depression, a time of widespread unemployment and limited support for mental health or disabilities.
What themes are associated with Lenny?
Innocence, strength, society, prejudice, the American dream and inevitable tragedy
How is Lennie shown as innocent?
Through his childlike desires such as tending rabbits and his inability to understand the consequence of his actions
What shows Lennie’s dependence on George?
His constant need for reassurance, like George repeating their dream and his helplessness without instruction (“He looked at George helplessly for instruction”)
What quote shows Lennie innocence after Curley’s wife’s death?
“George ain’t gonna let me rabbits now”
How does the novella reflect attitudes towards mental health in the 1930s?
Lenny represents individuals with disabilities who were marginalised and lack societal support
How does Steinbeck juxtapose Lenny strength with his innocence?
His immense strength like “as strong as a bull” makes him dangerous, despite his childish nature.
What animalistic imagery is used to describe Lenny?
“ he snorts water like a horse” and “ huge paws”, emphasising his untamed strength
How does Steinbeck foreshadow Lenny’s tragic end?
Through his inability to control his strength and accidents like the death of the puppy and Curley’s wife
How does the simile “bleated with terror” describe Lennie?
It compares him to a lamb, symbolising his innocence and foreshadowing his sacrifice.
How is Lenny an outsider in society?
Due to his mental disability, he is excluded and ridiculed, showing societal prejudice in the 1930s
What terms are used to insult Lenny?
George called him a “ crazy bastard” and Curly’s wife calls him a “ dum dum”, reflecting societal insensitivity
What does Lennies interaction with crooks show?
Lenny ignores racial prejudice, highlighting his innocence and uniting with crooks as an outsider. Further suggests racism is a learnt behaviour
Why is Lenny’s surname “ small” ironic?
Contrast his physical size but symbolises his lack of societal power
How does Lenny’s story reflect the fragility of the American dream?
His dreams of tending rabbits are destroyed, mirroring the unattainable dreams of the marginalised in the 1930s
What quote for shadows Lenny inevitable failure?
“ the best laid plans of mice and men go oft awry”, Referencing Robert Burns’ Poem
What does the cyclical structure of the novella symbolise?
Beginning and ending at the Salinas river highlights the futility of George and Lenny’s dreams
What does the heron eating the snake symbolise?
The inevitability of death and the harness of life, reflecting Lenny tragic fate
How is Lenny compared to Candy’s dog?
Both are seen as burdens by society, and their deaths reflect utilitarian survival during the great depression
What is the ultimate significance of Lenny’s character?
Steinbeck uses Lennie to expose the harsh realities of 1930s America—society’s failure to care for the vulnerable, the collapse of the American Dream, and the inevitability of tragedy in a world driven by survival.
What is the relationship between Lennie and George like?
Lennie is portrayed as innocent, naive, and entirely dependent on George, evoking sympathy. This relationship mirrors the paternal care absent for many marginalized people in the 1930s.
How does repetition of the dream affect Lenny?
Comfort Lenny functioning him like a nursery rhyme, reinforcing his childlike innocence and dependence. Acts as a coping mechanism for his situation.
What events show Lenny’s inability to control his strength?
Crushing curly hand (bleated with terror and huge paws), accidentally killing the puppy (why did you got to get killed?) and eventually killing his wife
How does lennie’s disability aid him in interactions with others in the novella?
Lenny’s inability to comprehend racial and sexual prejudice reveals his innocence whilst simultaneously uniting him with societal outcasts (crooks, curleys wife, and candy)
