Post on 24-Feb-2016
description
Of Mice and Men: Chapter 2
Reading 8 Ramirez
Pattern:Ch. 2 is structured like Ch.
1Again, Steinbeck begins by
describing placeBut … the human world
(dirty) contrasts with the natural world (lovely)
“Says ‘positively kills lice, roaches and other scourges.’ ”
Suspicion of Friendship
“I said what stake you got in this guy? You takin’ his pay away from him?”
…“Well, I never seen one guy take so much trouble for another guy. I just like to know what your interest is.”
Suspicion of Friendship
stake, interest: profit Paraphrase: “How are you
making a profit from Lennie?”
Lies Candy lies to George about
insects (?) George lies about the bus George lies about his
relationship to Lennie
Theme: The ranch is predatory, unclean The ranch is suspicious The ranch triggers dishonesty The ranch presents many
threats
Curley
Foreshadowing
“Curley’s like a lot of little guys. He hates big guys.”
“You seen that glove on his left hand?”
Curley’s Wife
“An’ I bet he’s eatin’ raw eggs and writin’ to the patent medicine houses.”
Theme: Curley thinks about sex a lot Curley makes his sex life (which
should be private) public He might be insecure His wife might be too sexy for
him
Theme: George’s Values
George takes care of Lennie: loyalty, responsibility, patience, parenthood, compassion
George hates Curley: Curley = excitement, conflict, power, danger, aggression
Meeting More Workers
CandyCurleyCarlsonSlim
The Brutality of the Ranch
“She slang her pups last night … Nine of ‘em. I drowned four of ‘em right off.”
“Why’n’t you get Candy to shoot his old dog …?”
Dogs = man’s best friendDogs are drowned and
shot casuallyForeshadowing: Lennie is
like an animal
Foreshadowing
“I don’t like this place, George. This ain’t no good place. I wanna get outa here.”
The Final Image
“After a moment the ancient dog walked lamely in through the open door. He gazed about with mild, half-blind eyes. He sniffed, and then lay down and put his head between his paws. Curley popped into the doorway again and stood looking into the room. The dog raised his head, but when Curley jerked out, the grizzled head sank to the floor again.”