Friendship And Companionship Flashcards
(6 cards)
George
“Guys like us, that work on the ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world. They got no family. They don’t belong no place.. but not us.”
“Guys like us, that work on the ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world. They got no family. They don’t belong no place.. but not us.”
-Contrast and inclusive pronouns “us”:
Emphasizes their unique friendship.
-Repetitive structure:
Shows loneliness of others and the comfort George finds in the friendship.
-Hopeful tone:
Suggests friendship offers meaning in a harsh world.
*Great depression -> men travelled alone for work= extreme isolation and emotional detachment. Most of them had no stable home and family.
Slim
“Ain’t many guys travelled around together… I don’t know why. Maybe ever’body in the whole damn world is scared of each other.”
“Ain’t many guys travelled around together… I don’t know why. Maybe ever’body in the whole damn world is scared of each other.”
-Universal language “ever’body in the whole damn world”:
Broadens theme showing that loneliness isn’t just a personal issue but a societal problem.
-Tone= thoughtful and melancholic:
Slim recognizes the emotional cost of fear and isolation + relates to it.
-Irony:
Such a natural human need has become so rare and almost looked down on is tragic.
*1930s distrust-> Economic hardship made people wary and self focused to survive in a ‘cut throat’ world.
Lennie
“Because I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you, that’s why.”
“Because I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you, that’s why.”
-Repetition “you got me.. I got you”:
Reinforces the mutual dependence and emotional support that they offer eachother.
-Tone= innocent and sincere:
Lennies childlike understanding of their bond highlights the purity of their friendship.
-Contrast:
In a world full of broken dreams and isolation, their care for eachother is almost revolutionary.
*Great depression: Their support for mutual care towards eachother was rare among migrant workers. Lennie’s words stand out showing emotional connection and loyalty -> uncommon luxuries for working class men.
