Lennie Flashcards
‘Why do you got to get killed?’
Backed up with ‘I don’t want ta hurt you’
(Lennie’s Strength)
This rhetorical question shows how Lennie can’t understand and control his own physical power and strength. However, this also foreshadows what will happen later in the novella, building tension and suspense for the reader.
‘I didn’t know you’re get killed so easily’
Backed up with the simile ‘Her body flopped like a fish’
(Lennie’s Strength)
This quote also shows how Lennie’s violence is accidental as he doesn’t understand his power. Whereas Curley is violent on purpose to try to artificially gain respect from the ranch workers.
‘another bad thing’
(Lennie’s Strength)
After Lennie kills Curley’s Wife he says this however he fails to understand the difference between killing an animal and killing a human. The repetition of this phrase highlights how his violence is unintentional.
‘I got you and you got me’
(Friendships And Dreams)
This chiasmus shows how they have a friendship that not many people have in American society. This also gives them a purpose in life, as they both want to achieve their dream of having their own land. This was a huge contrast to society as due to the Great Depression men were selfish and in competition with each other instead of friends with each other. Steinbeck includes George and Lennie’s friendship to show his ideal society.
‘We got a future. We got somebody to talk to that gives a damn about us.’
(Friendships And Dreams)
Inclusive Pronouns. Lennie’s belief in their shared future is so strong that he doesn’t fully understand the difficulties they face. His dream of the future with George is built on the belief that they are different from other migrant workers, but Lennie’s lack of awareness of the harshness of their reality makes this belief tragically naive
‘Tell me about the rabbits George’
(Friendships And Dreams)
Lennie often asks George to tell him about the rabbits, a recurring reminder of hope in their lives. For Lennie, the rabbits represent the promise of a better life — one where he can care for the rabbits and live peacefully with George. This is Lennie’s way of clinging to the dream, which is the only thing that keeps him going through the hardships.
‘He’s dumb as hell.’
(Discriminations Of Disabled People)
This short sentence shows how Lennie is judged and labelled for his mental disability. Even George, who cares for him, uses harsh and offensive language, reflecting how normalised discrimination was in 1930s America. The phrase “dumb as hell” strips Lennie of identity and dignity, reducing him to a single trait: his learning difficulty. Steinbeck uses this to highlight how society doesn’t understand or support people like Lennie
‘They left all the weak ones here’
(Discriminations Of Disabled People)
Curley’s wife insults Lennie, Candy, and Crooks by calling them “weak,” grouping them as outcasts. This shows how Lennie is marginalised not for his actions, but for who he is — his disability makes him easy to dismiss. Even though Curley’s wife is also discriminated against, she still looks down on Lennie, proving that prejudice is deeply rooted, and even the oppressed try to gain power by stepping on those below them.
‘You crazy bastard.’ (Lennie tells himself that)
(Discriminations Of Disabled People)
This quote comes from Lennie’s own imagination, showing that he has internalised society’s insults. He repeats the same kind of language used against him, like “crazy” and “bastard,” showing he’s been made to feel ashamed of something he can’t control. Steinbeck uses this self-hate to create sympathy for Lennie and to criticise a world that makes vulnerable people blame themselves for how they’re treated.
