OMAM English literature part one George, Lennie and Candy

Description of Lennie : A large, lumbering, childlike migrant worker. Through his behaviour in the novella, it is clear has a mild mental disability which means he depends on lennie for guidance and protection. Gentle and kind, Lennie does not understand his own strength. love of petting soft things,  leads to disaster. 

Friendship and Loneliness : He is the only character innocent enough to not fear loneliness. He also is the only one who has a close friendship (with george) . However doesnt like the idea of george leaving him.

Dreams : Lennie and George share a dream that throughout the novella other characters (Candy and slightly Crooks) share. Their dream is a typical american dream which means that they will have untarnished happiness and freedon to follow their own desires.

Predatory Human nature/Strength and Weakness : lennies strength is obvious throughout the novel, as it is his physical strength, that he uses as a defense (an example is the fight with curley) . However it is also his weakness as he fails to recognise his own strength which leads to the death of curleys wife. This and his mental disabilities that mean he is unaware of the vicious, predatory powers that surround which leads to his death.

Description of Lennie Quotes: 'a huge man, shapeless of face, with large, pale eyes and wide, sloping sholders; and he walked heavily, dragging his feet a little, the way a bear drags his paws.'                         'drank with long gulps, snorting into the water like a hoarse.'       'dabbled his paw in the water'

 Friendship and loneliness Quotes: ' because I got you to look after me and you got me to look after you'          Crooks ' "I said s'pose George went in to town toniht and you never heard of him no more." '      ‘ “He won’t do it,” Lennie cried.'

Dreams Quotes:  ' we could live offa the fatta the lan '       'gonna let me tend the rabbits'

Predatory human nature/Strength and Weakness Quotes: 'lennie said softly to the puppy "why do you got to get killed? You ain't so little as mice. I didn't bounce you hard." ‘   Curley’s wife ' "you're nuts, " ... “But you're kinda nice fella. Jus' like a big baby.'           george ' The poor *******'s nuts. Don't Shoot 'im. He didn't know what he was doing '

extra quotes - "lennie copied george exactly"  " she struggled violently under his hands" 

Description : George is a small, quick-witted man who travels with, and cares for, Lennie. Although he frequently complains about having to take care of lennie, George is obviously devoted to him. George’s behavior is motivated by the desire to protect Lennie and, eventually, get the farm of their dreams.

Friendship and loneliness : George has the friendship of lennie in the novel. However looking out for lennie may lead to George's loneliness. As the other ranch workers find it strange that he cares for him and also because having to care for lennie restricts George's life causing him to have the life of a migrant worker.

Dreams : Though George is the source of the often-told story of the (American dream ) dream farm, it is Lennie’s childlike faith that enables George to actually believe that the dream could come true. George also has another dream/idea of what life would be like without lennie, but as he never leaves lennie to persue that idea, it is clear he doesn't like that life 

Corrupting power of women : George is convinced that women are always the cause of  trouble. Their enticing sexuality, tempts men to behave in ways they would otherwise not. This is clear as throughout the novella he is bitter towards Curleys wife and constantly warns lennie that she is trouble.

Description quotes: ' The first man was small and quick,dark of face, with restless eyes and sharp, strong features.Every part of him was defined small, strong hands, slender arms, a thin bony nose.'           ' lennie never done it in meanness. All the time he done bad things, but never done one of 'em mean. '

Friendship and loneliness quotes: George 'Guys like us, are the loneliest guys in the world.... With us [me and lennie] it ain't like that. We got a future. We got somebody to talk to that gives a damn about us.'              Boss ' I never seen a guy take so much trouble for another guy ' George ' if i was alone i could live so easy.'

Dreams quotes: lennie 'No . . . . you tell it. It ain’t the same if I tell it. Go on . . . . George'     george ' “If I was alone I could live so easy.” His voice was monotonous, had no emphasis. “I could get a job an’ not have no mess.” ... “An’ when the end of the month came I could take my fifty bucks an’ go to a . . . . cat house—”' '

Corrupting power of women quotes: George 'Don't you even take a look at that ***** ' ,'She's gonna make a mess' , 'Jesus, what a tramp.'      ' "sometimes curley's in here,"she explained George said brusquely. "well he ain't now." '

Description: he is an old caretaker who is disabled and his only companion is his dog he fears his future and therefore grabs onto lennie and george's dream.

friendship and lonlieness: much like george candy has a companion in his dog. steinbeck uses the friendship betweeen candy and his dog to foreshadow what will happen to lennie and george. candy's dog is killed to stop it suffering from old age by being shot in the head. This event not only foreshadows what will happen to lennie but also puts the idea in georges head in the end to kill lennie himself.

Dreams: candy clings on to the idea of living with george and lennie on their little farm because he knows and fears what the future will be like without it.

Description quotes: 'old swamper'  'round stick like wrist' 'at his heels walked a drag-footed sheep dog'

friendship and lonliness quotes:  'that dog aint no good to himself.'       'the way i'd shoot him he wont feel nothing.'           'I ought to of shot that dog myself, George. I shouldn't ought to of let no stranger shoot my dog.'

Dreams quotes: 'When they can me here I wisht somebody'd shoot me. But they won't do nothing like that. I won't have no place to go, an' I can't get no more jobs.' 

Predatory human nature/ Strength and weakness : Despite not specifically belittling anyone, George often seems to be Quite harsh to lennie. Through this stienbeck shows the human nature to be dominant/predatory over others as George doesnt intend to be mean to his friend but he naturally does it. The only weakness George seems to have is his compasion for lennie as this makes him stay with him (that and the fear of lonliness). this is a weakness because it means that despite having a friend George will end up heart broken and lonely when he dies and will be a lonely migrant worker like the others.

Predatory human nature/Strength and weakness quotes :  yeah you forgot, you always forget, i got to talk you out of it.' ' i never been mad' 'george sat stiffly and looked at his right hand that had thrown away the gun.'