Studied by 1 person
“Strong as a bull”
In order to get job George says that Lennie is a good worker as he is not “bright”
jobs + money were limited
desperation of itinerant workers to have a job
“A cow and some pigs”
Lack of power = unable to achieve self sufficiency
ranch workers wanted more meaning in their lives
lack of choices = unable to have their own cows + pigs
had to work for other people + low wages
“Go around on the ranches alone”
Limit of jobs + money → had to travel around America to find work + paid little
never settled down so they would mistrust + never form friendships
“Knowed we’d never do her”
George was sceptical of the dream
contrasts with Lennie whom he shared the dream with
underlying feeling ranch workers had that they would never have freedom / independence
“Bringin’ in my own crops”
Simple dreams are still difficult
wants to be self sufficient, unattainable in 1930s America
American dream was possibility at one point but by 1900 no unsettled land = reality of dream was over
“How thick the cream is on the milk”
Dream was extremely detailed
provided escape + distraction from harsh reality, hope
“Loneliest guys in the world”
Ranch workers had no friends or family → constantly travelling for work
unable to form trusting + authentic companionships
“So much trouble for another guy”
Lack of friendships in 1930s
their friendship was rare
ranch workers didn’t understand companionship.
“Wanted to talk”
Although he has a friendship (rare)
craves more mature companionship (slim)
still lonely with Lennie
“I could live so easy”
Difficult to look after Lennie
mentally disabled were burden
lack of support for disabled by government = difficult to care for them
link to mental institutes
“Cuckoo”
Calls his only companion cuckoo
did not understand mentally disabled
brutally judged instead
“Don’t you even talks a look at that bitch”
prejudice attitudes George + society had towards women
reinforces this idea to lennie which shows she was seen as mistrusting / society saw women as less than others
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Flashcard