Candy quotes Flashcards
(13 cards)
“That’s the boss’s son. Curley’s pretty handy. He done quite a bit in the ring.”
Candy’s role as informant about the ranch hierarchy. Older workers often served as informal orientation for newcomers in transient workplaces.
“I ought to of shot that dog myself, George. I shouldn’t ought to of let no stranger shoot my dog.”
Candy’s regret foreshadows George’s decision to kill Lennie himself. Taking personal responsibility was considered morally superior to delegation.
“They’ll can me purty soon. Jus’ as soon as I can’t swamp out no bunk houses they’ll put me on the county.”
Shows Candy’s fear of becoming useless due to age and disability. No retirement security or disability protection existed for agricultural workers.
“S’pose I went in with you guys. Tha’s three hundred an’ fifty bucks I’d put in.”
Candy makes their shared dream seem financially possible. Having actual savings was increasingly rare during bank failures of the Depression.
“I been around him so much I never notice how he stinks.”
Shows how attachment blinds us to others’ flaws. Metaphor for friendship that transcends practical considerations.
“I wisht somebody’d shoot me if I got old an’ a cripple.”
Shows Candy’s internalized ageism and ableism. Usefulness was tied to worth in a society without social safety nets.
“I seen the guys that go around on the ranches alone. That ain’t no good. They don’t have no fun. After a long time they get mean. They get wantin’ to fight all the time.”
Candy’s observation about the psychological effects of aging and isolation. Aging workers faced particular vulnerability during the Depression with no retirement security.
“You seen what they done to my dog tonight? They says he wasn’t no good to himself nor nobody else. When they can me here I wisht somebody’d shoot me.”
Direct parallel between Candy’s dog and his own future. Fear of uselessness was well-founded in a society that discarded the elderly and disabled.
“They’ll can me purty soon. Jus’ as soon as I can’t swamp out no bunk houses they’ll put me on the county.”
Shows Candy’s fear of becoming unemployable. “The county” referred to meager public assistance that was stigmatized and insufficient.
“I’d make a will an’ leave my share to you guys in case I kick off.”
Shows how quickly Candy commits to their shared dream. Desperation for belonging and purpose among aging workers.
“I ain’t much good, but I could cook and tend the chickens and hoe the garden some. How’d that be?”
Shows how Candy imagines his role in their shared dream. Specialized roles gave purpose and dignity even to those with physical limitations.
“You God damn tramp… You done it, di’n’t you? I s’pose you’re glad.”
Shows his anger at the destruction of their dream. Blaming the victim was common in situations where systemic analysis was lacking.
“You wasn’t no good. You ain’t no good now, you lousy tart.”
Shows misplaced anger in grief. Misogynistic language was normalized, especially when blaming women for male violence.
