Of Mice and Men: Key Quotes

Of Mice and Men: Key Quotes

Characterisation Through Quotes

George

  • “I ain’t got no people. I seen the guys that go around on the ranches alone. That ain’t no good.” - This quote illustrates George’s fear of loneliness and the importance of his companionship with Lennie.
  • “Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world.” - George’s comment on the solitary life of migrant workers, highlighting the theme of loneliness in the novella.

Lennie

  • “I remember about the rabbits, George.” - Lennie’s obsession with the dream of owning a farm, emphasising both his childlike innocence and the importance of the American Dream.
  • “I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you.” - Lennie is aware of the mutual dependency between him and George, reinforcing their bond and the wider theme of friendship.

Curley’s Wife

  • “I never get to talk to nobody. I get awful lonely.” - Her isolation is evident in this quote, shedding light on her desperation for company and attention.
  • “Coulda been in the movies, an’ had nice clothes.” - Her unfulfilled dreams symbolise crushed hopes and ambitions, common amongst the characters in the novella.

Key Themes Through Quotes

Hopes and Dreams

  • “Someday—we’re gonna get the jack together and we’re gonna have a little house and a couple of acres an’ a cow.” - This represents George and Lennie’s adherence to the American dream, and the comfort and aspiration it provides them.

Power and Exploitation

  • “A guy goes nuts if he ain’t got nobody.” - Employs the theme of loneliness and disempowerment, revealing the vulnerabilities of characters in the novella.

Friendship and Companionship

  • “I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you, and that’s why.” - The bond between George and Lennie is exemplified in this quote, emphasising the rarity and value of such friendships during the Great Depression.

Society and Prejudice

  • “They left all the weak ones here.” - This quote indicates the discrimination faced by the perceived “weak” in the society, further exemplified by characters such as Candy, Crooks and Curley’s wife.

Steinbeck’s Writing Style Through Quotes

  • “A few miles south of Soledad.” Steinbeck’s naturalistic descriptions grounds the narrative within the social and economic conditions of the1930s.
  • “You’d drink out of a gutter if you was thirsty.” Use of idiomatic language and vernacular speech illuminates the authenticity of the characters and their backgrounds.

Remember, understanding the context and deeper implications of these key quotes is crucial for effective analysis and interpretation within an essay.