Quotations Flashcards
“they let the nigger come in that night”
Candy says this about Crooks. The word choice of “let” and “that night” show that Crooks need permission to enter the bunkhouse where the other men sleep every night, and he only gets this on special occasions.
“A guy needs somebody – to be near him”
Crooks tells this to Lennie. The word choice of “needs” shows he sees it as essential to survive. The word choice of “somebody” shows that he doesn’t care who it is, he is just desperate for companionship.
“Think I don’t like to talk to somebody every once in a while? Think I like to stick in that house alla the time?”
Curley’s wife says this to Lennie. The repetition of rhetorical questions makes reader think about her life and feel sorry for her
“I seen em poison before, but I ain’t never seen no piece of jail bait worse than her “
George says this about Curley’s wife. The metaphor suggests she is deadly, bad for them. They are afraid of Curley and blame her for making him angry.
“his wife”
The possessive pronoun shows that people see Curley’s wife as the property of her husband. She is never referred to by her own name.
“I had ‘im since he was a pup”
Candy says this to George. This shows that Candy has had the dog for a long time and is very used to its companionship.
“I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you!”
Lennie says this to George.This shows that Lennie and George are different from the other men as they have a close, long term friendship. This highlights the loneliness of the other men.; The simple language and exclamation mark shows Lennie’s childlike delight and pride in having George as his friend.
