Test Bite

Here are some quotations about destruction and violence in the novel.

Find a comment to explain each one.

a. When Whit finds a letter from a former ranch worker in a magazine, he treats it as a precious object. He does not want to let go of it as it is a reminder of a one-time friend.	b. Carlson says this to Candy when they are discussing whether or not to kill Candy's ancient dog. Candy is reticent, not wanting to lose his companion, but Carlson knows that death is the kindest thing. Who has the same decision to make later?	c. Crooks talks to Lennie, knowing that he won't understand what is being said, just to have company. Crooks is a very lonely character, he is not accepted by the other men because of his colour.
d. When Candy joins Lennie in Crooks' room, they talk about the land they are going to buy. Candy explains it simply - everyone just wants something to call his own.	e. Curley's wife is abusive to Crooks, Lennie and Candy, not because she dislikes them, but because she is bitter at being left with them. The contrast between her present situation and her dream of being in the movies is too much for her, so she lashes out.	f. After Curley's wife's death, Candy and George talk about the future. They know that they will never have their own farm now. George suggests that he never really believed it would happen anyway, perhaps to calm his disappointment, perhaps because he knows that the whole thing about a dream is that it is only imaginary.

1. "Everybody wants a little piece of land, not much. Jus' somethin' that was his."
2. "I think I knowed from the very first. I think I knowed we'd never do her. He usta like to hear about it so much I got to thinking maybe we would."
3. "Whit found the place again, but he did not surrender his hold on it. He pointed out the letter with his forefinger."
4. "It's just the talking. It's just being with another guy. That's all."
5. "An' what am I doin'? Standin' here talking to a bunch of bindle stiffs - a nigger an' a dum-dum and a lousy ol' sheep - an' likin' it because they ain't nobody else."
6. "Well, you ain't being kind to him keepin' him alive"

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