John Steinbeck's novella, "Of Mice and Men," is a profound exploration of friendship, dreams, and the human condition. Its quintessential quotes have resonated through decades, reflecting the nuances of society and interpersonal relationships. In this article, we delve into notable quotes from the text, exploring themes of hope, despair, and camaraderie that continue to capture the reader's imagination. We’ll discuss these quotes under ten insightful subtitles, each highlighting a unique aspect of this literary classic. Whether you are a fan of literature or new to Steinbeck's work, these quotes provide a window into the poignant world of Lennie and George.
Dreams and Reality: Famous Quotes
"Tell me about the rabbits, George."
"We got a future. We got somebody to talk to that gives a damn about us."
"With us it ain't like that. We got a future."
"I seen hundreds of men come by on the road an' on the ranches, with their bindles on their back an' that same damn thing in their heads."
"Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world."
"It ain't enough land so we'd have to work too hard."
"We could live offa the fatta the lan'."
"Everybody wants a little piece of lan'."
"An' every damn one of 'em's got a little piece of land in his head. An' never a God damn one of 'em ever gets it."
"I remember about the rabbits, George."
"I think I knowed from the very first. I think I knowed we'd never do her."
"I like to pet nice things."
Friendship and Companionship: Notable Quotes
"Because I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you."
"I ain't got no people. I seen the guys that go around on the ranches alone."
"George wouldn't do nothing like that. I've been with George a long time. He'll come back tonight."
"We travel together," said George coldly."
"I got you to care for me, and you got me to care for you, and that's why."
"We kinda look out for each other."
"It's just bein' with another guy. That's all."
"It'd be our own, an' nobody could can us."
"We wouldn't have to buck no barley eleven hours a day."
"They was lookin' for us, but they didn't catch us."
"We'll have a cow, and maybe a pig, and chickens... and down the flat we'll have a... little piece alfalfa"
"Guys like us got nuthin' to look ahead to."
Isolation and Loneliness: Memorable Quotes
"Guys like us that work on ranches are the loneliest guys in the world."
"A guy needs somebody—to be near him."
"A guy goes nuts if he ain't got nobody."
"I seen hunderds of men and they all went to that blackboard looking for partners."
"They got no family. They don't belong no place."
"If them other guys gets in jail they can rot for all anybody gives a damn."
"I tell ya a guy gets too lonely an' he gets sick."
"They play cards in there, but I can't play because I'm black."
"There ain't no more harm in him than a kid neither."
"I never seen one guy take so much trouble for another guy."
"The whole damn world is scared of each other."
"You can talk to people, but I can't talk to nobody but Curley."
The Harshness of Life: Famous Quotes
"I seen it over an' over—a guy talkin' to another guy and it don't make no difference."
"Guys like us got nothing to look ahead to."
"We was always gonna do something and never did."
"You hadda, George. I swear you hadda."
"Lennie sat in the hay and looked at a little dead puppy."
"They'll tie ya up with a collar, like a dog."
"Tell how it's gonna be."
"Le's do it now."
"Ain't many guys travel around together."
"I ought to of shot that dog myself, George. I shouldn't ought to have let no stranger shoot my dog."
"Think I don't like to talk to somebody ever' once in a while?"
"What we gonna do now, George? What we gonna do now?"
The Illusion of Freedom: Thought-Provoking Quotes
"I seen hunderds of men come by and take the same damn thing in their head."
"I seen too many guys with land in their head. They never get none under their hand."
"Seems like they ain't none of them cares how I gotta live."
"Tell about the house, George."
"An' when we get a couple acres I can let you tend the rabbits."
"We could live off the fatta the lan'."
"We got a future."
"For two bits I'd shove out of here."
"We don't want no pants rabbits."
"I could build a smoke house like the one gran'pa had."
"Why ain't you wanted? "s'posed to be like you is."
"A place to be ourselves and no one else."
The Beauty in Tragedy: Poignant Quotes
"God, you're a lot of trouble," said George.
"No, Lennie. I ain't mad. I never been mad, an' I ain't now."
"If you don' want me I can go off in the hills an' find a cave."
"A guy can go crazy out here by himself."
"I got you, George. I got you."
"So I married Curley. Met him out the Riverside Dance Palace that same night."
"I tell ya I could of went with shows."
"We ain't like that."
"You done it, di'n't you? I s'pose you're glad."
"Candy looked for help from face to face."
"We kind of look after each other."
"There ain't no noise except the sound of all them horses movin’ around out there."
Human Nature: Insightful Quotes
"It's just in their head."
"I seen hunderds of men. They come, an' they quit an' go on."
"I never seen one guy take so much trouble for another guy."
"Seems like Curley ain't givin' nobody a chance."
"Well, you keep away from her, 'cause she's a rattrap."
"Why do you got to get killed? You ain't so little as mice."
"You was pokin' your big ears into our business."
"Tell about what we're gonna have in the garden."
"George raised the gun and his hand shook, and he dropped his hand to the ground again."
"Nobody can't blame a person for lookin'. No harm in lookin'."
"I ain’t supposed to talk to you or nothing."
"Nobody never gets to heaven, and nobody gets no land."
Dreams Deferred: Stirring Quotes
"I thought you was mad."
"I ain't mad. I ain't never been mad, an' I ain't now. That’s a thing I want ya to know."
"We got each other, that’s what, that gives a hoot in hell about us."
"The thing is, they're talkin’, or they're settin’ still not sayin’ nothin’."
"Why ain't we doin' it?"
"I seen it a million times. I knowed it an' you knowed it."
"I mean if I was alone I could live so easy."
"George, how long’s it gonna be till we get that little place an' live on the fat of the land?"
"Nobody gets to heaven, and nobody gets no land."
"But not us, an’ why? Because… because I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you."
"Tell me like you done before."
"Red and blue and green rabbits, George. Millions of ‘em."
Betrayal and Trust: Significant Quotes
"George wouldn't do nothing like that. I been with George a long time. He'll come back tonight."
"I had it from a friend of mine. My guy says he seen that feller talking to another guy, an' it don’t make no difference."
"You hadda, George. I swear you hadda. Come on, with me."
"You ain’t worth a greased jack-pin to ram you into hell."
"George gonna wish he was dead."
"A guy can talk to you an' be sure you won't go blabbin'. I seen guys neater to a dog than to me."
"We got each other, and that's what gives a damn about us."
"Well, you keep away from her, 'cause she's a rattrap if I ever seen one."
"I tell ya, I could of went with shows. Not just one, neither."
"I coulda been in the movies, an’ had nice clothes."
"Seems like Curley ain't givin' nobody a chance."
"George is gonna wish he was alone now."
Fate and Control: Thoughtful Quotes
"We wouldn't have to buck no barley eleven hours a day."
"I ain't a Southern. Nobody else will.
"Think Curley’s gonna connect it with us."
"This ain't no place for a man."
"But if you wanna say somethin’, why don’t you say it? I don’t mind."
"Someday—if we was to have no trouble."
"It ain't so easy to come by."
"We'll have a cow. Maybe a pig an' chickens... enough"
"Tell me about the rabbits, George."
"A guy gotta sometimes."
"What we gonna do now, George? What we gonna do now?"
"He gonna come back tonight."
Final words
"Of Mice and Men" remains an enduring piece of literature due to its poignant portrayal of the struggles and dreams of the disenfranchised during the Great Depression. The quotes from Steinbeck's work transcend time, shedding light on human aspirations, companionship, and the inevitable realities faced by many. Each quote resonates with the raw emotions and inherent desires for a better life but also acknowledges the obstacles that often stand in the way. Steinbeck’s ability to capture the essence of humanity is evident through his portrayal of characters like Lennie and George—illustrating their dependence on dreams and each other for survival.
This exploration of quotes from "Of Mice and Men" offers a contemplative journey through the emotional landscape of the book, underlining the timelessness of its themes. The quotes are not only a reflection of the era but also mirror modern-day struggles with isolation, dreams deferred, and relationships tested by circumstance. As we contend with our own dreams and challenges, Steinbeck's words continue to inspire and provoke thought, reminding us of the necessity of hope, friendship, and the courage to persevere, no matter the odds.
浙公网安备
33010002000092号
浙B2-20120091-4