carlson Flashcards
(19 cards)
what is our first description of Lennie
The first description we have of Lennie is that he is a “Follower”.
Instantly we View Lennie from our perspective as someone who is dependent on another person (George).
how does George talk to Lennie and what does that say about his position
Lennie is dependent on George. For example, when George speaks to Lennie about their dream, his Voice becomes ‘Deeper’ and he ‘repeats his words rhythmically’. It can be argued that this is a very similar way of speaking much like a father would to a son. George is comforting Lennie with his smooth way of speaking, which is fatherly behaviour.
Before he fights back Curley what does he do helplessly
When Curley is being aggressive to Lennie. Lennie looks at George helplessly for “instruction”. From this Quote we learn his innocence, but also his incapability of logical thinking and decision making. This can make the reader feel anxious to think about a life without George and how Lennie may end up without George’s instruction.
How does Lennie behave without George after he kills Curley’s wife what can this conclude about his thinking
One notable sequence when George is not around, is the barn scene with Curley’s wife. Without George being present to give Lennie any instructions, it makes the reader feel anxious for what might unfold. When Lennie kills curley’s wife he quotes “George ain’t gonna let me tend no rabbits now”. This confirms that Lennie is incapable of deciding what is right and what is wrong like a child would struggle with. He is also Egocentric like a child, he only thinks about his own consequences and not those of Curley’s wife.
context of vulnerability
All this emphasises the vulnerability of those with Mental disabilities in the 1930s. People like Lennie would have been sent to an asylum or an institution, but his behaviour in ranch life shows the lack of support and misunderstanding of his disability
Unfortunately Lennie’s Masculine strength combined with his childlike innocence makes him a danger to others.
Animalistic Imagery to compare him
“Snorting into the water like a horse”, “covered his face with huge paws and bleated with terror”, “as strong as a bull” these are some examples of the Animalistic imagery used to describe Lennie’s character. Him being described as a strong animal, signifies his capability of causing great harm to others, which we eventually see later on in the novel. His large animalistic descriptions can foreshadow the deaths caused by his strength.
what his strength foreshadows
This can link to Lennie’s inability to see whats right and wrong and to control his strength, and with that comes the dangerous threat of what his strength may foreshadow.
what does bleated mean
However these quotes describe him as strong animals the word Bleated is used which can symbolise the naivety of a Lamb. in addition to this Lambs are a symbol of sacrifice which can foreshadow what George does later on in the novel.
treatment of mentally disabled in institutions
The way Lennie is described in animalistic ways, mirrors the way mentally disabled people were viewed in the 1930s, they weren’t viewed or treated like humans, but much more like animals, e.g lobotomy and electric shock treatment was used to treat the mentally ill.
what does Lennie’s surname show about his and other workers power in society
Lennie’s surname being Small can be a symbol for the little power he has in society. This can be due to all kinds of factors. Including being a migrant worker in the great depression. This job had little status and could barely support anyone financially. It could also symbolise his little control over his actions and his mental capability.
How does George talk to him and what does it reflect
George is often very snappy and short-tempered with Lennie “Jesus Christ, you’re a crazy Bastard”. These derogatory terms he uses to describe and Address Lennie shows how insensitive people really were at the time, and symbolises the harshness of the conditions of the great depression. The tough conditions could be reflected in the behaviour of everyone.
How does Curley’s wife refer to Lennie Crooks and Candy
Curley’s wife refers to Lennie, Crooks and Candy as “an N word an’ a dum dum and a lousy ol’ sheep”. The weakest characters in society are all in the same room. Women, black people, mentally disabled people and the elderly. He is compared as an outsider to crooks and candy.
How does Candy’s dog represent Lennie and what quote is in
“He ain’t no good to you… he ain’t no good to himself” this quote is from when carlson shoots Candy’s dog. Although the conversation is about Candy’s dog, this dog is viewed in a similar way to how the disabled were viewed in the 1930s. It makes us start to think about Lennie, in addition to this, Carlson shoots Candy’s dog with the same gun George uses to kill Lennie, which foreshadows Lennie’s death.
how mentally ill were viewed
Mental health patients were viewed as a burden to society, which can explain why Lennie is treated so poorly.
What makes Lennie Tragic and what does he foreshadow
Lennie is a tragic character, every action he makes and his behaviour all foreshadows a dark future ahead. Lennie is also an oman that foreshadows a negative life experience for himself and those around him.
How does his Innocence have tragic elements
Lennie’s innocence is made clear from the very beginning of the novel, which doesn’t justify what he does, but it gives the reader the understanding of his incapabilities. This helps the reader feel the sense of tragedy that happens to both Lennie and those around him. He maybe a murderer, but it most be understood that he is a Victim to the society he lives in.
Cylical Structure and Hopelessness
The story follows a Cyclical structure, it begins and ends by the Salinas river. Because it’s cyclical it creates a sense of hopelessness, by beginning and ending where they start, it shows the lack of progress made and signifies George and Lennie are not moving forward with lives, and can also reflect the repetitiveness of the lives of ranch workers.
what does the watersnake suggest about replacement
In the final chapter Lennie is back at the salinas river where he was first introduced. There is imagery of a water snake. In the first chapter this water snake was present and was eaten by a heron. Now it is repeated in the final chapter but this time alive. This is a subtle reference to the insignificance of man, and that Lennie can easily be replaced.
what does lennies life being a tragedy highlight
Lennie’s life being a tragedy highlights the brutal reality of the American dream and the insignificance of man. Or even more subtly the harsh reality of the great depression or America in the 1930s.
