OMM DEATH Flashcards
(4 cards)
Why is death important in the novel?
It shows how fragile life is, especially for the vulnerable.
It highlights the brutality of the world Steinbeck portrays—where people and animals are often discarded when they’re no longer useful.
Death is used to explore ideas about mercy (compassionate killing) and inevitability.
Key Deaths and Their Significance:
- Lennie kills the mouse and the puppy
These early deaths show Lennie’s lack of control and foreshadow later tragedy.
Also symbolize how innocence is destroyed in a harsh world.
🗣️ “He pet it, just a little.” – Lennie doesn’t understand his own strength.
- Candy’s Dog is Shot
Represents what happens to those who are seen as useless or weak.
Candy regrets not doing it himself: “I ought to of shot that dog myself.”
Foreshadows George’s choice to kill Lennie himself, rather than let someone else do it cruelly.
3. Curley’s Wife’s Death
A turning point in the novel—leads to the collapse of the dream.
Lennie doesn’t mean to kill her, but his strength and fear lead to tragedy.
Reflects Steinbeck’s theme of accidental, irreversible consequences.
- Lennie’s Death
Most emotionally powerful moment. George kills Lennie to protect him from a worse fate.
Echoes the earlier “mercy killing” of the dog.
“Look down there across the river, like you can almost see the place.” – George comforts Lennie with the dream before shooting him.
What Steinbeck Says About Death:
Death is inevitable, especially in a society that values strength, usefulness, and control.
The novel suggests that mercy can be found in choosing how someone dies, even in a brutal world.
It questions how humanely society treats the vulnerable, and whether anyone really has a choice in their fate.
Literary Techniques:
Foreshadowing – Early deaths hint at Lennie’s fate.
Symbolism – Candy’s dog = Lennie; animals = innocence, powerlessness.
Tone – Death scenes are often quiet and solemn, highlighting emotional weight.
