Violende And Cruelty

Question 1

Carlson

Answer 1

“He ain’t no good to you, Candy. An’ he ain’t no good to himself. Why’n you just shoot him, Candy?”

Question 2

“He ain’t no good to you, Candy. An’ he ain’t no good to himself. Why’n you just shoot him, Candy?”

Answer 2

-Diction and tone: “Ain’t, Why’n you just shoot him?”
Underlines his emotional detachment and the ranch hands harsh pragmatism.
-Irony:
He insists that Candy kills his dog -a supposed act of mercy- although he’s practically forcing him into doing such a brutality that he perceives as “kind”.

*1930s old folk-> Euthanizing Candys dog reflects a broader social cruelty towards the vulnerable.

Question 3

Lennie

Answer 3

“I didn’t wanta hurt him.”

Question 4

“I didn’t wanta hurt him.”

Answer 4

-Juxtaposition: “I didn’t wanta”
Lennies child like innocence collides with the brutality of death
-Foreshadowing:
The earlier events of Lennie holding a mouse hinted that his innocence paired with his lack of réalisation of his own strength can lead to deathly consequences.
-Irony:
Goodness manifested into cruelty when misunderstood although he was just trying to be gentle and play with her hair.

*Depression-> Lennies tragedy spotlights society’s neglect and fear of those who cannot fit in.

Question 5

Curley

Answer 5

“I’ll shoot him in the guts. Come on, you guys.”

Question 6

“I’ll shoot him in the guts. Come on, you guys.”

Answer 6

-Imperative mood: “I’ll.. Come on”
Propels men into vengeful revenge showing how authority can be asserted through threats.
-Violent imagery: “Shoot him..”
Evokes visceral imagery of frontier justice.
-Masculine Bravado:
Boastful agression marks his own impotence and fear -> reflecting toxic masculinity.

*1930s law-> formal law enforcement was scarce so men resorted to vigilante “justice.