Questions and Answers
What does the dream farm symbolize?
How is Lennie often described in the text?
In language that suggests bears.
What is an important part of Lennie's dream?
What do card games symbolize in the story?
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What event occurs while the men are playing horseshoes?
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What do the men on the ranch refer to themselves as?
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Study Notes
The Dream Farm
- Symbolizes the unattainable American Dream; an ideal space for George's freedom and Lennie's love for animals.
- Exists only in George and Lennie's imagination, contrasting the harsh reality of the bunkhouse.
- Represents hopes and aspirations that fade upon the approach of reality.
Bears
- Lennie is likened to a bear, emphasizing his immense strength and instinctual nature.
- Descriptions of Lennie's gait and 'paws' underline his physicality.
- The imagery of Curley's wife flopping like a fish when killed depicts Lennie as a predator, revealing his uncontrollable power.
Rabbits
- Central to Lennie's dream of owning a farm, symbolizing innocence and desire.
- Their scurrying away in the opening reflects Lennie's inability to grasp reality fully.
- A surreal giant rabbit appears in Lennie's mind after he kills Curley’s wife, indicating turmoil and trouble.
Card Games
- George's card games in the bunkhouse represent themes of chance and fate, highlighting the unpredictability of life.
- Reflects the inability to control circumstances, mirroring Robbie Burns’ ideas in "To A Mouse".
- The moment Curley’s wife enters during a game underscores the intersection of chance and critical events.
Horseshoe
- The outdoor horseshoe game signifies the element of chance in human lives, similar to card games.
- Illustrates the randomness of events that lead to tragedy, such as Lennie's violent acts occurring just after playing.
- The game’s occurrence during key violent moments symbolizes Lennie's lost innocence.
Hands
- Ranch workers are termed 'hands', stripping them of personal identity and reducing them to their labor roles.
- Violence is tied to their hands, illustrated through physical confrontations and deaths involving Lennie's hands.
- Steinbeck uses hand descriptions to reveal character traits, such as Curley's wife's alluring red nails and Slim's graceful hands.
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Description
This flashcard quiz explores the significant symbols in 'Of Mice and Men'. Each card delves into the meanings behind key symbols, such as the dream farm, and their relevance to the characters' aspirations and experiences. Perfect for reviewing essential themes and enhancing your understanding of the text.
