Candy: Of mice and men Flashcards
(13 cards)
Introduction
Candy represents the fate awaiting those who become old and disabled in a society that values strength and productivity. His fear of being cast aside mirrors the fate of his old dog, making him desperate to join George and Lennie’s dream.
Point 1:
Candy’s dog symbolises his fear of aging and becoming useless
Quotes with the first point
-‘I ought to of shot that dog myself’
-‘He ain’t no goof to you, Candy. An’ he ain’t no good to himself’
-Candy looked for help from face to face’
Context with the first point
-In the age of the great depression working men could only make money if they were physically fit and able to.
- Due to the loss of Candy’s hand it makes him very vulnerable.
-The shooting of the dog is symbolic. Candy fears the same fate awaits him. His regret for not ending the dogs life himself reflect the lack of control aging people have overt their own lives and deaths in a harsh world.
-Steinbeck uses this moment to explore the theme of mercy verses cruelty in this society.
point 2:
Candy clings to George and Lennie’s dream as his last hope.
Quotes with the second point
-‘S’pose i went in with you guys’
-‘They left all the weak ones here’
-‘An’ they give me two hundred and fifty dollars cause i lost my hand’
context with the second point
-This reveals his desperation for security and belonging in a society that offers none. The dream brings candy to life. It shows the power of the american dream and the ability to inspire the vulnerable.
-He sees the dream as a rare chance to escape poverty and social isolation.
-His inclusion also momentarily validates him, giving him a sense of purpose and community.
-Steinbeck shows how the dream offers comfort.
point 3:
Candy’s bitterness reflects the loss of hope
Quotes with the third point
-‘When they can me here i wisht somebody’d shoot me’
-‘Candy lay still, staring at the celing’
context with the third point
-His reaction to Curley’s wife’s death shows his frustration at the collapse of their shared dream. this shows the futility and duality of the American dream as if the dream isn’t actually feasible just always out of reach.
-His frustration is not just grief for the dream, but anger at the system that gives false hope to the powerless. Steinbeck uses Candy’s despair to show how even the possibility of change is fleeting in a society built on exclusion and hardship.
point 4:
Candy represents the fear of aging and the desire for companionship
quotes with the forth point:
-‘I won’t have no place to go, an’ i can’t get no more jobs’
-‘He scratched the stump of his wrist nervously’
context with the forth point
-Candy’s fear of being cast aside because of his age and disability echoes the harsh realities of the time. Where only the strong and useful were valued. His dream of the farm symbolises hope for a better life.
