OMAM love Flashcards
(10 cards)
intro
- a complex source of not only hope but also vulnerability in a world defined by loneliness and isolation
- Steinbeck emphasises how the harsh realities of the Great Depression often prevent these characters from experiencing love in its purest form
- leaving them trapped in cycles of longing and disappointment.
topic sentence 1
Steinbeck portrays the bond between George and Lennie as a rare and profound example of unconditional love, where George’s selflessness and responsibility for Lennie highlight the depth of their friendship amidst the harsh isolation of the Great Depression.
topic sentence 1 quotes
don’t drink so much … you gonna be sick’ - father-son dynamic which gives George a sense of purpose as well as clearly establishing the power dynamics
‘I got you to look after me and you got me to look after you’ - reveals the interdependency of their relationship, George also benefits from Lennie
topic sentence 1 context
high demand for work created a competitive and hostile environment, workers hardships set them against each other rather than being a uniting factor, St uses George and lennies relationship to combat this - st presents their love as the centre piece of the novel.
Represents an alternative family structure - Reinforces the difficulty faced by men to have a normal family at that time
George is a symbol of human compassion and love -> striking contrast to the society he lives in
topic sentence 2
Steinbeck presents Curley’s loveless marriage as a reflection of the isolation and emotional emptiness that pervades the lives of many characters, with Curley’s control over his wife symbolizing the lack of genuine connection and respect in their relationship.
topic sentence 2 quotes
‘I’m looking for Curley’ - reveals how lonely his wife is, he chooses to go out to old Susy’s rather than be at home with his new wife. his poor treatment of his wife reflects the patriarchal world they live in
Curley ‘comes to life’ upon seeing his wife’s dead body - juxtaposition of how we’d expect a loving husband to react and his reaction so reveals the extent of their loveless marriage - he seems to be full of excitement after this when he rounds up the men to chase down Lennie - the death of his wife doesn’t bring him despair but rather revenge and a desire to re establish authority
topic sentence 2 context
women were seen as sexual commodities, marginalised by male dominated race for survival, Curley’s wife’s death isn’t viewed as a loss for Curley but rather an attack on his personal property which he must avenge; therefore, St uses Curley to represent the patriarchal, misogynistic world of 1930s America
topic sentence 3
Steinbeck uses the love between Candy and his old dog to symbolize the harsh realities of survival in the Great Depression, where the elderly and the weak are often discarded, reflecting the broader theme of disposability and the brutal nature of life on the ranch.
topic sentence 3 quotes
‘drag-footed sheepdog’ ‘pale, blind old eyes’ - represents Candy -> frail, powerless and insignificant to this scene
‘Why’n’t you shoot him Candy?’ - now the dog no longer serves a purpose the only rational decision is to get rid of it -> are essentially also talking about Candy who has no role like his dog
topic sentence 3 context
- disenfranchised
- Therefore, some men resorted to violence and overly aggressive emotions to reclaim their masculinity
- after spending so much time led by this motto many men forgot what love was like, so when they suggest killing candy’s dog, candy cannot decline as it was normalised and more widely the societal norm
