Of Mice and Men Quotes Flashcards
“I could get a job an’ work an’ no trouble. No mess at all… An whatta I got… I got you! You can’t keep a job and you loose me ever’ job i ever get.” - George
Technique: Juxtaposition
Analysis:
Difference between George and Lennie’s views in life
George doesn’t want to have the burden of Lennie
Longing for change and independence
“I get to tend the rabbits” - Lennie
Technique: Motif
Analysis:
Lennie’s simple, yet deeply held hopes and dreams.
Lennie’s vision of a better future, where he has a sense of purpose, safety, and companionship
Escape from his harsh reality
Inevitable failure of his dreams in the great depression
“Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world. They aint got no family.” - George
Technique: Superlative/Emotive language
Analysis:
Loneliness and poor living conditions of ranch workers
Evokes emotion in the reader and makes them understand the importance of having someone during this time
“I’d have my own little place, an I’d be bringin’ in my own crops, ‘stead of doing all the work…” - George
Technique: Contrast/Repetition of “my”
Analysis:
George knows this is an unattainable dream it is still a dream of his
Owning something means a lot to him because he doesn’t own many possessions but he owns this dream.
“Old Candy slowly turned over his eyes wide open” - Candy
Technique: Descriptive Language
Analysis:
Candy’s interest in Lennie and George’s dream.
New anticipation and excitement instilled in Candy.
He now has hope in his life and future, allowing him to be happier and cope better with his situation.
“S’pose I went in with you guys…. I ain’t much good, but I could cook and tend the chickens and hoe the garden some. How’d that be?” - Candy
Technique: Syndetic Listing
Analysis:
He has jumped onto the bandwagon of the dream
The tragedy of this list of tasks is menial and ultimately of little worth.
“I won’t have no place to go, an’ I can’t get no more jobs.” - Candy
Technique: Foreshadowing
Analysis:
His dream is not just about owning land but having a place where he belongs and escaping his fear of isolation.
Candy’s dream will ultimately be unfulfilled, and his fear of having nowhere to go becomes reality.
“They all sat still, all focused by the beauty of the thing.” - Lennie/George/Candy
Technique: Emphasis on “thing”
Analysis:
The dream is undefined and unclear yet they all have hope in it.
“It ain’t no lie. We’re gonna do it. Gonna get a little place and live off the fatta the lan’.” - Lennie
Technique: High modality
Analysis:
Creates a sense of meaning and identity for Lennie
Anchors this nebulous dream to something tangible.
Represents their symbolic hope that this statement represents in their dreams of a better life.
“S’pose you didn’t have nobody. S’pose you couldn’t go back into the bunk house and play rummy ‘cause you were black. How’d you like that?” - Crooks
Technique: Repetition of “s’pose”/Rhetorical question
Analysis:
Challenges Lennie and the reader to put themselves in the shoes of Crooks.
Crooks is a man whose identity is consumed by how others perceive him as a black person.
The repetition of “s’pose” further illustrates the picture of Crook’s life.
He is discreetly providing a glimpse into his personal life, by applying hypothetical techniques to what he is saying.
“Nobody never gets to heaven, and nobody gets no land.” - Crooks
Technique: Symbolism/Comparison
Analysis:
Racial and social barriers that make aspirations like Lennie’s impossible for people like him.
Comparing land with heaven indicates that they’re both made believe through his scornful tone
“…If you…guys would want a hand to work for nothing–just his keep, why I’d come an’ lend a hand.” - Crooks
Technique: Low modality language
Analysis:
Hesitation and doubt of the hope that the idea of this dream could bring him.
Very low modality language, shows a lack of confidence to ask for what he wants.
“Think I don’t like to talk to somebody ever’ once in a while?” - Curley’s wife
Technique: Rhetorical Question
Analysis:
Curley’s wife’s dreams of human connection
Frustration in her isolation and loneliness because she isn’t happy due to the failure of her dreams
‘I didn’t mean it. Jus’ foolin. I wouldn’t want to go no place like that.’ - Crooks
Technique: Irony/Dismissive tone
Analysis:
Crooks dismisses the dream, too scared to have hope.
The irony of how Crooks wants to be part of the dream but denies it is a defence mechanism because the way his race is treated prevents him from hoping or achieving any dream.
“Now maybe George ain’t gonna let me tend no rabbits, if he fin’s out you got killed.” - Lennie
Technique: Irony/Contrast
Analysis:
Reveals Lennie’s inability to grasp the severity of the situation he’s in because he has destroyed any possibility of the dream coming true.
His focus on this small, hopeful detail in contrast to such a tragic moment reveals his childlike nature and lack of understanding of consequence.
