OMM VIOLENCE/DEATH Flashcards
(4 cards)
Why is violence and death important in the novel?
It illustrates the constant tension and danger in the characters’ lives, especially for the vulnerable.
The repeated presence of violence and death helps to show how the world destroys dreams and relationships.
Death, whether physical or emotional, is often used as a merciless solution to problems or fears, especially in a dog-eat-dog society.
⚔️ Key Instances of Violence and Death:
- Lennie’s Violent Actions
Lennie doesn’t understand his own strength, which leads to unintended violence.
He kills small animals (like the mouse and the puppy) by accident due to his physical strength and lack of control over it.
🗣️ “I seen hunderds of men come by on the road an’ on the ranches, with their bindles on their back an’ that same damn thing in their heads. Hunderds of them. An’ every damn one of ‘em’s got a little piece of land in his head. An’ I read plenty of books out here. Nobody never gets to heaven, and nobody gets no land.” – Crooks
Lennie’s physical violence foreshadows the tragic end of the novel and his own death.
- Candy’s Dog is Shot
The death of Candy’s dog is symbolic of the way the vulnerable are treated—discarded when they’re no longer useful. It’s also a precursor to the final act of mercy in the novel when George kills Lennie.
The dog’s death is quietly violent, a merciless act done by Carlson because the dog is old and weak.
🗣️ “I ought to of shot that dog myself, George. I shouldn’t ought to of let no stranger shoot my dog.” – Candy
Candy’s regret at not having control over the dog’s death mirrors George’s guilt over his decision to kill Lennie.
3. Curley’s Wife’s Death
Curley’s wife’s death at Lennie’s hands is the turning point of the novel. It’s accidental, but it’s also violent and is caused by Lennie’s lack of understanding of his own power.
After Lennie accidentally kills her, her death leads to the destruction of the dream George and Lennie had been working towards. The men on the ranch become more hostile, and the dream slips further out of reach.
🗣️ “I seen hunderds of men come by on the road an’ on the ranches, with their bindles on their back an’ that same damn thing in their heads. An’ I read plenty of books out here. Nobody never gets to heaven, and nobody gets no land.” – Crooks
- Lennie’s Death
The most tragic and violent death in the novel is Lennie’s own death, which is ultimately George’s decision to end Lennie’s life himself.
George shoots Lennie in a moment of mercy, knowing that Lennie will face a far worse fate at the hands of the mob. The violence here is both compassionate and heartbreaking—George kills Lennie to spare him from being hunted down like an animal.
🗣️ “I want you to know that, Lennie. I want you to know how much I care about you. If I was alone I could live so easy.” – George (before the killing)
This act of violence is deeply emotional for George, and the ending brings the dream crashing down. It serves as a sacrifice to protect Lennie, but also highlights the hopelessness of their dream.
What Steinbeck Shows About Violence and Death:
Violence is a constant presence: The novel portrays a world where physical power, force, and threats of violence are everyday occurrences, particularly among men on the margins of society.
Death is inevitable: Whether through natural causes (like the death of Candy’s dog), unintended accidents (Lennie killing animals or Curley’s wife), or mercy killings (George ending Lennie’s life), death is a part of the characters’ lives and often represents the harshness of their world.
The powerless suffer most: Characters who are weak, old, disabled, or marginalized (like Lennie, Candy, and Crooks) are often victims of violence or death. They have little control over their lives and futures, making them easy targets for society’s cruelty.
Techniques Used by Steinbeck:
Foreshadowing: Lennie’s early killing of mice and the puppy foreshadows the inevitable tragedy of the novel. The way the characters talk about death throughout the novel also hints at what’s to come.
Symbolism: The dog’s death symbolizes the death of dreams and the harshness of society’s treatment of the elderly and vulnerable. Lennie’s own death mirrors the killing of the dog.
Tone: Steinbeck creates a bleak, tragic tone, where death is not a romanticized or dramatic event but a merciless, everyday part of life.
