Section Two Flashcards
“t W m r m l t r a s a a s b.”
“those Western magazines ranch men love to read and scoff at and secretly believe.”
The ranch workers all cling on to their fantasies despite their stern outsides. There’s a sense that dreaming could be a sign of weakness.
“‘S “p k l, r, a o s.” W t h k o b y g u”
“‘Says “positively kills lice, roaches, and other scourges.” What the hell kind of bed you giving us”
Steinbeck emphasises how clean George is several time in the novel. He is also shown to be quite on edge and suspicious, reminiscent of the description of his “restless eyes” in Section One.
“T b g h h w h m. B t s b d g a d”
“The boss gives him he’ll when he’s mad. But the stable buck don’t give a damn”
Crooks is often beaten when things o wrong even if he wasn’t vaguely responsible for what happened. Reflects how much black Americans were seen as total inferiors.
“I n s o g t s m t f a g. I j l t k w y i i.”
“I never seen one guy take so much trouble for another guy. I just like to know what your interest is.”
The boss is very suspicious of George and Lennie. Often ranch hands are so isolated that everyone finds it shocking they travel together without some kind of monetary incentive. An interesting reflection on the attitudes to money in America.
“A d-f s d”
“A drag-footed sheep dog”
Candy’s dog is also described as being drag footed. Here start the comparisons between the dog and Lennie…
“A g o a r d n l n h d a n q.”
“A guy on a ranch don’t never listen not he don’t ast no questions.”
Shows just how lonely the life of a ranch hand is. Also, it is very possible that this is symbolic of the oppressive social hierarchy on the ranch. Candy has been told time and time again not to listen until he doesn’t anymore.
“L t b, h w h-h b.”
“like the boss, he wore high-heeled boots.”
Curley is often trying to follow in his fathers footsteps. The high-heeled boots how that he doesn’t do much work but is respected regardless.
“H a g b a t e a h h c i f.”
“His arms gradually bent at the elbows and his hands closed into fists.”
Curley’s reaction to seeing Lennie is instinctively hostile. Also could be foreshadowing the events later on.
“P”
“Pugnacious”
Pugnacious means violent. Pugilist means boxer. Both these things describe Curley.
“‘O, s i t w.’”
“‘Oh, so it’s that way.’”
Curley is highly suspicious of George and Lennie’s arrangement - as is everyone.
“C p h.”
“Curley’s pretty handy.”
Candy describes Curley. Curley appears to remind them of this frequently to assert his authority.
“C l a l o l g. H h b g.”
“Curley’s like a lot of little guys. He hates big guys.”
Candy tries to explain Curley’s hostility. Very possible that Curley doesn’t like any opposition to his power.
“W e g c c h o m t b.”
“Won’t ever get canned ‘cause his old man’s the boss.”
Curley enjoys abusing his power in the knowledge that he is untouchable. Perhaps symbolic of how the higher classes think they are untouchable so can do what they want to their inferiors.
“C s h k t h s f h w.”
“Curley says he’s keepin’ that hand soft for his wife.”
Curley wears a glove allegedly filled with Vaseline all the time. Maybe a sign of how little he is actually attracted to his wife.
“S”
“Solitaire”
George often plays solitaire by himself. Solitaire means solitary in French.
