Quotes Flashcards
Chapter 1 setting general techniques
General techniques: Pastoral Imagery, Prelapsarian area, Circular narrative
“Small”, “quick”, “restless eyes”, “sharp, strong”
This depiction of the character of George implies that he possesses an ingrained alertness and awareness of his surroundings for the sibilance of “sharp” and “strong” for the harsh ‘s’ consonant sounds connote that he has the ability to react quickly to ones surroundings if something is amiss.
“Whitewashed”, “unpainted”
These adjectives imply a sense of sterilization and that environment in which they reside in, devoid of any sort of warm feeling.
“A few miles south of Soledad”
“Soledad” derives from the Spanish word for loneliness, foreshadowing the events and circumstances to come within the book.
“beaten hard” x2
The repetition is quite metaphorical and implies as though the natural idyllic nature of the area has been tainted by the influence and presence of humanity.
“A water snake slipped along on the pool”
The symbolism between the presence of the snake and such and idyllic environment draws a parallel to that of the demise of Adam and Eve within the Garden of Eden, thus foreshadowing the eventual demise of George and Lennie at the end of the book.
“bear”, “dragged his paws”, “huge man”
The notion of “drag[ing]” ones feet implies a sense of indefinite lethargy and disconnect from the world around him
“Look, George. Look what I done.”
The tone presented within these sentences is that of someone yearning and desiring a sense of acknowledgement from their recognized superior, in this case being George.
Imperative verbs: “give it”, “don’t drink” -
These are employed by George in an attempt to discipline Lennie as how a mother would do to a child, providing insight into the relationship hierarchy.
“apple box”
A false shelf which displays the lack of quality of life, and how it seems as though they are only required to reside here for a short period of time.
Bunk house depiction
The general depiction of the bunk house implies a sense of transient existence, the lack of storage facilities also support this, they have no sense of connection and are easily replaceable, lack of value.
“Slim sat down on a box and George took his place opposite”
The symbolism present within this scene plus the preposition “opposite”, imply that Slim seems to have acquired better fortune than that of George, George has been placed within the “opposite” social circumstances as that of Slim, for the time being.
“Slim’s eyes were level and unwinking”
The adjectives of “level” and “unwinking”, displays that he seems to be an entity of reason and possibly justice within the ranch and that he is willing to listen and provide perspective to the worries and strife of other people.
“He ain’t no good to you Candy.”
This is an example of the symbiotic relationship George and Lennie share, people consider them to be disadvantaged by the responsibility of the symbiote (the dog and Lennie), however it is evident that other people cannot empathize with the necessity to combat the inevitability of loneliness.
“Why’n’t you shoot him Candy”
Foreshadows the manner in which the demise of Lennie will occur and how the other ranch worker’s dehumanize Lennie. Furthermore, the casual tone makes it seem as though it is the most logical course of action, it would be obvious to remove such a burden, displays lack of compassion and overall selfishness.
