Research Connection: The Great Depression
Many of the characters in the book face a lot of prices to pay, some of those prices having a high cost that workers with little money need to work months before being able to pay. "'We don't never go there. Clara gets three bucks a crack and thirty-five cents a shot," (Of Mice and Men, pg. 53). The tone of the person saying this while mentioning the prices and deciding never to go to that spot shows how just three dollars or thirty-five cents are too expensive for someone to pay at the time. The Great Depression had prices go up and wages go down, which is clear in the quote. "Candy went on excitedly, 'How much they want for a place like that?' George watched him suspiciously. "Well - I could get it for six hundred bucks,'" (Of Mice and Men, pg. 59). The place mentioned is being sold for six hundred dollars. The cost is high and the character who was going to buy it would need to work many months at his job. The prices were really high while the wages were low, making it hard for someone to buy something at the time.
Character Analysis: Lennie
Lennie was described throughout the book with his actions, thoughts, and speech. He displays his personality as a pacifist and a hard worker, and never gets angry at anyone, even his partner. He's nowhere quite the smart nor independent one, but his kindred spirit makes up for it. "'I turns to Lennie and says, 'Jump in.' An' he jumps. Couldn't swim a stroke...near drowned before we could get him...nice to me for pullin' him out. Clean forgot I told him to jump in. Well, I ain't done nothing like that no more,'" (Of Mice and Men pg. 40). Lennie forgets the trouble George put on him, and is still nice to the latter despite the earlier actions. "'I didn't wanta,' Lennie cried. 'I didn't wanta hurt him,'" (Of Mice and Men, pg. 64). Lennie is really soft and is revealed to be a pacifist, as he didn't inflict much pain. Lennie isn't too bright, but is kind and has no intention of hurting anyone.
Lennie also displays a character of obedience to whatever he's told to do, but if he's told to do or say something he was previously told not to by another person, he can get confused and shy (26). "George gestured with his spoon. 'What you gonna say tomorrow when the boss asks you questions?' Lennie stopped chewing and swallowed. His face was concentrated. 'I...I ain't gonna...say a word," (Of Mice and Men, pg. 15). Lennie shows his obedience to George with remembering what the latter told him without question. By his concentration, it also shows what is his intelligence and how hard it was to remember. "'He can talk if he wants to tell you anything.' He nodded slightly to Lennie. 'We jus' com in,' said Lennie softly," (Of Mice and Men, pgs. 25-26). Lennie was previously told not to talk, which in this case he had to. He was confused with what he memorized and what he just heard, therefore he talked softly and shyly. Lennie is an obedient partner who does what he's told, but will get confused if he's told two opposite things.
Lennie also displays a character of obedience to whatever he's told to do, but if he's told to do or say something he was previously told not to by another person, he can get confused and shy (26). "George gestured with his spoon. 'What you gonna say tomorrow when the boss asks you questions?' Lennie stopped chewing and swallowed. His face was concentrated. 'I...I ain't gonna...say a word," (Of Mice and Men, pg. 15). Lennie shows his obedience to George with remembering what the latter told him without question. By his concentration, it also shows what is his intelligence and how hard it was to remember. "'He can talk if he wants to tell you anything.' He nodded slightly to Lennie. 'We jus' com in,' said Lennie softly," (Of Mice and Men, pgs. 25-26). Lennie was previously told not to talk, which in this case he had to. He was confused with what he memorized and what he just heard, therefore he talked softly and shyly. Lennie is an obedient partner who does what he's told, but will get confused if he's told two opposite things.
