OMAM Character Analysis Flashcards
Crooks quotes
The boss gives him hell when he’s mad… he reads a lot. - suggest he is exploited and abused by others to maintain authority control and fear knowing he can’t fight back
Boss Give him hell when he mad. He reads a lot. Analysis
The violent imagery is reflective of the severity of the abuse that crooks faces from all on the ranch. The boss, someone who is in a position of power should protect his employees yet he endangers crooked safety.
Declarative sentence could reflect candys surprise at the fact that someone of crooks status is engaging in intellectual pursuits.
simple sentence - reflective candy’s quick dismmisal of crooks positive attributes. Allusion to books - crooks intelligence - Steinbeck suggesting that those like crooks are under serving of their lowly place on the ranch - crytosizing arrogant boss who don’t deserve their position
Context for give him hell
Violence towards African Americans was often fueled by deep seated racial hatred and the entranced belief in white supremacy. African Americans were targeted for alleged crimes for perceived tangressions against white society.
Lynching used to maintain social control and reinforce racial hierarchy’s.
Bunk house was a long rectangular building. Crook had his bunk in a harness room a little shed that leaned off the wall of the barn
The reader can see a clear contrast between the setting that the majority of the ranch workers share compared to the ‘shed’ that crooks must live in alone. Though the men lead a simple difficult life, crooks has even less then they do and lives in worse conditions. Bunk - building - built for purpose and is inhabitable by humans ‘shed’ - tools or animals - degrading him boss sees him as a tool.
Verb leaned - dilapidated nature of crooks shed - understanding boss has no care for crooks doesn’t want to make his life enjoyable.
Men have ‘windows and solid door. Crooks - single square four panes window. Direct comparisons to evoke pity and indignation for crooks and his position. We alr feel sympathetic for workers but crooks is worse.
Context of bunk house was long
During 1930s racial segregation was enforced by Jim Crow laws in the southern US. these laws mandated racial segregation in public facilities, including schools, restraunts and transportation. Steinbecks portrayal of crooks as being isolated from the other workers reflects the segregation prevalent in society at the time.
Quotes from politicians of the time such as southern senators and governors would reflect the prevailing racist attitudes. For instance, politicians like Theodore bilbo openly espoused white supermacy and advocated for the disenfranchisement and segregation of African Americans.
George quote - the poor bastards nuts, don’t shoot him. He didn’t know what he was doing.
Steinbeck explores elements of human nature through George’s character depicting both the compassion and cruelty that exist in individuals. Love and care contrasts with the harsh reality of the world.Metaphor nuts - George revealing Lennie - mentally unwell.
He has developed sympathy for this throughout the relationship he is hoping that he can convince the others too. Imperative shows how desperate he is to save his friend. However audience may consider George to be ignorant as Lennie is aware of the impact his strength can have, but because George has always protected him and never held him accountable for his actions, he has never experienced the harsh consequences of life.
Context of poor bastard
Steinbeck explores the significance of friendship through George and Lennie. Despite hardship - George remain to Lennie, highlighting importance of human connection especially in that time period of isolation and extreme loneliness. Also, George and Lennie - unusual for having friendship - due to Wall Street crash many migrant workers wouldn’t have has any one.
Through George’s experiences, Steinbeck addresses issues of injustice and vulnerability. Lennies disability and georegs struggles to protect him highlight the predujuces and challenges faced by margarines individuals during the 1930s
