Candy Flashcards
(14 cards)
he aint so good
The short, declarative sentence shows a lack of empathy and reflects Carlson’s utilitarian mindset.
Direct speech & third-person pronoun – Using “he” in front of Candy dehumanizes him, treating him as if he’s not present or worthy of dignity which reflects how society views the elderly or disabled as invisible or irrelevant.
Candy is judged not by who he is, but by what he can still do.
In 1930s America during the Great Depression, older or disabled workers were often seen as burdens, especially in labor-intensive jobs like ranch work.
Steinbeck’s message: Critiques capitalist values that discard the weak; shows the emotional damage caused by a system that values productivity over humanity.
he aint ‘much good with only one hand’
Blunt tone and third-person reference – Emphasizes emotional detachment and objectification; Candy is spoken about, not to.
The focus on “one hand” reduces Candy’s identity to his disability. It treats the part (his hand) as representative of the whole man, which is dehumanizing and shows how people with disabilities are often defined only by their limitations/ how American society isnt a meritocracy, a land of equal oppurtunity for all.
Reflects attitudes of 1930s America, especially during the Great Depression, when disabled or older workers were seen as expendable in a survival-driven, capitalist society.
Steinbeck’s message: Critiques a society that discards the vulnerable, showing how people like Candy live in fear of becoming obsolete.
Lost his hand ‘right here on this ranch’ so he got a job as a swamper
Candy’s admission that he lost his hand “right here on this ranch” and was kept on as a “swamper” out of pity highlights the dehumanizing effects of a capitalist society where worth is based on physical ability. The phrase “right here” emphasizes how the same place that injured him now barely tolerates him. His role as a swamper—a low-status job—shows his reduced value. Being kept on out of pity rather than respect reflects how rare empathy is on the ranch. Steinbeck uses Candy’s situation to critique a system that discards the weak and makes people fear aging and uselessness.
what topic sentence links lost his hand right on this raanch so hes a swamper, he aint so good and aint much good with only one hand
Candy demonstrates the way in which the old and crippled are not valued in American society.
rolled over slowly and faced the wall and lay silent
is rich in imagery and symbolism, reflecting his deep grief and helplessness. The tricoolon emphaises the slow movement suggests emotional heaviness and resignation, while facing the wall symbolizes his isolation and emotional withdrawal from the group. It may also represent his desire to hide his vulnerability in a harsh, masculine environment where emotions are rarely expressed. The silence shows his inner pain, suppressed in a world that discourages emotional expression. This moment reinforces Steinbeck’s theme of loneliness and disposability, as Candy not only mourns his dog but also sees his own fate mirrored in its death—unwanted and easily discarded.
his sorrow and anger grew into words
The personification of sorrow and anger as entities that “grow” suggests that these feelings have been building up inside him, escalating to a point where they can no longer be contained. The shift from emotion to speech represents a release of pent-up frustration and grief, as Candy finally vocalizes the pain of losing his dog and his sense of impending uselessness. The growth of these emotions into words highlights the intensity of his internal struggle and his longing for connection in a world that often silences vulnerability. This moment serves as a cathartic release for Candy, offering a brief outlet for his despair, while also underscoring Steinbeck’s theme of the oppressive silence surrounding emotional expression in the Great Depression.
they’ll can me purty soon
This is due to his old age and disability which makes him less capable in the ranch industry. The adverb puts an uncertainity of when sp he is always alerted and in fear of what to come. THe unemployment rates was at one of the highest after the Great Depession as there was constantly capable younger men ssearching for jobs which could easily replace Candy. This moment encapuslates Candy’s tragic situation and for many of the elderly with America face societal pressure.
What topic sentence links they can me purty soon, his anger and sorrow grew into words and rolled over slowly and faced the wall and lay silent
We feel sympathy for Candy because he is lonely: he is a swamper and thus has a low status on the ranch; he can no longer work with the other men on the field so he is quite isolated.
‘we got friend’ and then adds ‘we got nothing to say to you’
Here Candy defends Crooks and finally has enough confidence unlike his previous state of mind where he wasnt able to gain enough courage to shoot his own dog which he regretted later. The repition of the personal pronoun isolates Curley wifes which creates a harsh tone as no matter where she goes even to the ‘lonely’ ones, she is still left out. Steinebck constructs Candy here to illustrate the unappreciated power old people had.
God damn tramp
Candy projects his anger on her and viciously calls her ‘quote’ because as a result of her murder, the dream to buy the fram is unachievable. The adverb displays Candy’s anger but not sadness as the dream is now unachievable however its not her fault but Lennie being carried away whilst stroking her hair. This would have been significant to Candy as having the farm and have secuirty was essential as old people during the Great Depression lacked social security so they were always alerted incase they got fired.
Tart
his personal prejudice and the broader misogynistic attitudes of the time. The word “tart” is a derogatory slang term for a woman perceived as sexually provocative, and Candy uses it dismissively without really knowing her, reflecting how women were quickly judged and devalued. Steinbeck uses Candy’s casual sexism to highlight the gender inequality of 1930s America, where women, like Curley’s wife, were denied identity and agency, often known only by labels rather than names.
what topic sentence links tart, god damn tramp and we got friends, we got nothing to say to you.
Candy is quite misogynistic. He regards Curleys wife as trouble: she is a tat who has lost him his dream with George and Lennie which would have secured a comfortable old age for him. However the isolation which he faces may breed the prejuicism which he has towards her.
Whats all quotes for Candy
1.he aint so good
2.he aint ‘much good with only one hand’
3.Lost his hand ‘right here on this ranch’ so he got a job as a swamper
4.Rolled over slowly and faced the wall and lay silent
5.his sorrow and anger grew into words
6.They’ll can me purty soon
7.’we got friend’ and then adds ‘we got nothing to say to you’
8.God damn tramp
9.Tart
What are all topic sentences for Candy
1.Candy demonstrates the way in which the old and crippled are not valued in American society.
2.We feel sympathy for Candy because he is lonely: he is a swamper and thus has a low status on the ranch; he can no longer work with the other men on the field so he is quite isolated.
3.Candy is quite misogynistic. He regards Curleys wife as trouble: she is a tat who has lost him his dream with George and Lennie which would have secured a comfortable old age for him. However the isolation which he faces may breed the prejuicism which he has towards her.
