ENGLISH LITRATURE - OF MICE AND MEN KEY QUOTES

of mice and men

gonna let me tend the rabbits?

Lennie → dream, relating to the American Dream, as well as George owning land together. this shows Friendship and trust and the deep bond between them, highlighting themes of hope and companionship in John Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men."

i done another bad thing

Lennie → lists the endless moment when the American Dream is shattered by Candy, George and Curley’s wife, shows dreams and reality → emphasises the regret that they could have when having a dream in the 1930s

we got a future

George → first signs of the American Dream making them strive for a better life. shows friendship and hope in their difficult circumstances, representing their aspirations for stability and happiness, itinerate workers had to have dreams to keep them motivated in their small work jobs with little pay

you crazy son of a bitch

George → shows his frustrations with Lennie but it shows that he isn’t going to leave his friendship. During the 1930s people were there for themselves, due to Lennie being disabled he was discriminated and treated poorly showing the theme of loneliness.

we got each other

George → shows companionship and friendship even when George kills Lennie at the end of the novel. during the 1930s, itinerate workers had to look after each other as they moved around the ranches and faced harsh conditions, highlighting the importance of human connection in their struggles.

they left all the weak ones here

Curley’s wife → reflects the harsh reality of survival during the Great Depression, emphasizing the social Darwinism mindset of the time where only the strong were valued, while those who were vulnerable or disabled were often abandoned or disregarded. shows prejudice and discrimination. during the 1930s the strong were prioritized over the weak, revealing the moral decay and isolation faced by those less fortunate. she tries to maintain power over them

your kinda a nice fella

Curley’s wife → theme of friendship is shown contradicting with loneliness focusing on her feelings as the only woman on the ranch. in the 1930s women were objectified and not given a say in their actions or thoughts.

don’t come in a place where your not wanted

crooks → this expresses his power and dominance over Lennie, surprising due to in the 1930s America where racial segregation and discrimination were prevalent, reflecting the isolation felt by individuals. Crooks, being black, demonstrates the impact of racism on his identity and relationships.

I tell ya a guy gets to lonely

crooks → shows the theme of loneliness, highlighting how isolation impacts individuals, particularly marginalized characters like Crooks. this expresses the prejudice that occurs towards coloured people in the 1930s.

who hurt George?

crooks → this shows the power that crooks has over George, as he taunts him about his vulnerability, reflecting the power dynamics and isolation in a racially divided society.

well, next time you answer when your spoken to

Curley → this indicates Curley's aggressive demeanour and need for validation from others. It showcases the toxic masculinity present in the novel, where Curley seeks to assert his dominance in response to perceived disrespect. the implement of some control makes up for his short height. in the 1930s all the men wanted to be in charge and have some dominance over others.

you go on get outta my room

crooks → Lennie is inferior to crooks intellectually, feel likes a sense of power. Crooks never had power due to the colour of his skin which makes him defensive and hostile towards Lennie, revealing the tensions between race and power. he uses this as an advantage over Lennie due to his disability. In the 1930s people had to look for small areas because no one was treated the same. theme of loneliness

now what the hell ya suppose is eating them two guys

Carlson → doesn’t understand what George has been through shooting Lennie due to the lack of friendship. This reflects Carlson's insensitivity to George's emotional pain and highlights the theme of loneliness and the struggle for connection in the harsh reality of their lives.

how’d you do it?

Carlson → expects George will be proud as he shot Lennie as Carlson and Curley could want a trophy. This line demonstrates Carlson's lack of empathy and understanding of the bond between George and Lennie and their friendship, It underscores the theme of the harshness of survival, where the value of life is reduced to a mere act of pride or achievement.

come on ya big bastard

Curley → demonstrates his aggression and need to assert dominance. This line reflects Curley's insecurity, symbolizing the volatility of masculinity during the Great Depression. he wants to gain respect and have power over others and feels threatened by others' strength. This highlights the theme of masculinity and the struggle for power in a challenging environment.

i’m gonna shoot the guts →

Curley → issue of size more bothered about gaining pride by getting revenge on his hand. This statement reflects Curley's desire for retribution and his aggressive nature. It underscores the theme of violence and the desire for dominance in a world where pride often supersedes empathy.

I ought to of shot that dog myself

candy → Lennie and George friendship feels responsible for his dog, reflects Candy's regret and sense of betrayal over having to rely on others to end its suffering. This line also illustrates themes of loneliness and the harsh realities of aging in a world that values strength and utility. in the 1930s many people were having to fend for themselves without relying on others because of the idea of discrimination

s’pose i went in with you guys

Candy → he sees his opportunity to achieve his dream with Lennie and George. he is looking for friendship and he knows due to the Great Depression and the American Dream he wouldn’t be able to peruse this without them. It also emphasizes the themes of dreams and solidarity among marginalized individuals during the Great Depression.

you hadda George, i swear you hadda

Slim → shows that George needs comforting and reassurance when killing Lennie. the theme of friendship is key at this point, and during the 1930s discrimination was so bad that if you were slightly different you had a risk of being killed, which is why George did it. he thought it would be nicer for Lennie to die peacefully and with his friends.

slims opinions were law ///// prince of the ranch

slim → a figure of authority on the ranch, respected by all. His perspective and judgment are valued, reflecting the themes of power dynamics and leadership in a society where strength and competence are vital for survival. power over the ranch due to the respect he hasfrom his peers. Slim's role illustrates the complexities of masculinity and the need for camaraderie among the workers.

i could live so easily

George → the theme of friendship contrasts with the other characters, highlighting his longing for a better life and the pursuit of the American Dream. This statement reveals George's dreams and frustrations in a challenging world.

get um Lennie, don’t let him

George → parental control and orders Lennie like a child or a pet (relates to Lennie’s comparison with animals) his friendship shows that he doesn’t want Lennie getting hurt. This relationship underscores the themes of friendship and responsibility, emphasizing George's role as a caretaker in a harsh world.

i never been mad

George → shows that George gets frustrated with Lennie's behaviour, yet he also demonstrates empathy and understanding. This statement reflects the theme of mental health and the struggles of individuals with disabilities during the Great Depression.

dont go yelling

Lennie → his violent side is shown after killing Curley’s wife without realising. expresses innocence into the unknown. This statement emphasizes Lennie's lack of awareness and understanding of the consequences of his actions, highlighting themes of innocence and the tragedy of his nature.

let’s do it now, lets get that place

Lennie → he is reminding George about their dream farm they want to get together. friendship. This statement reflects Lennie's hopefulness and desire for a better future, symbolizing the pursuit of the American Dream and the power of friendship in overcoming adversity. during the 1930s itinerate workers had to have dreams to keep them motivated to work.

maybe you better stay here

slim → attempting to stop Curley from shooting Lennie in the gut. this was because of the discrimination that is against Lennie from his disability. isolation and prejudice is shown from this.

majesty, royalty, authority

slim → words to describe and suggests slims role. he has all the respect from the ranch, the theme of power is shows through this and authority within the social hierarchy of the characters.

so i married Curley

Curley’s wife → a sense of rebellion against her mother, proving that she made a big mistake. This statement reflects her longing for independence and the constraints placed on her by her marriage and society. at this time she wouldn’t have been able to have a big say in who she marries, from this she didn’t have a good relationship with her mother. It underscores her feelings of loneliness and the consequences of her choices.

i coulda made somethin’ of myself

Curley’s wife → her big dream to be a Hollywood actress is no longer possible now she has married Curley. in the 1930s all they women wanted to be like the young childhood actress Shirley temple. but because she was a woman and was discriminated and prejudiced against, she couldn’t make her dream happen.