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Of Mice and Men Innocence Quotes Page 1
Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph) Though Steinbeck did not originally include chapter numbers with the text, most editions are broken into six sections, based on day and time of day: Thursday evening = Chapter 1; Friday day = Chapter 2; Friday evening = Chapter 3; Saturday night = Chapter 4; Sunday afternoon = Chapter 5; Sunday evening = Chapter 6.
| Quote #1 LENNIE "Tha’s good," he said. "You drink some, George. You take a good big drink." He smiled happily. (1.7) |
These are Lennie’s first words in the play. He’s just submerged his whole head, hat and all, in a pool for a drink. He takes pure pleasure in the drink, and wants to share that pleasure with his friend George. There’s something simple and sweet about the episode. Lennie couldn’t care less about hygiene or etiquette. Like an innocent child unschooled in the manners of civilization, he’s just had a delight, and his first, simple thought, is to share it with his friend. This innocence will not only characterize Lennie’s actions, but it’s also an insight into the way Lennie thinks of his friendship with George – simple and pure.
| Quote #2 NARRATION. George looked sharply at him. "What’d you take outa that pocket?" |
Lennie is like a child in his thinking. The game he plays here with George is the classic "If I have my hand over my eyes, no one can see me," thing. This kind of sleight of hand is the unique stuff of childish thinking.
| Quote #3 NARRATION. And these shelves were loaded with little articles, soap and talcum powder, razors and those Western magazines ranch men love to read and scoff at and secretly believe. (2.1) |
Innocence doesn’t only belong to the mentally disabled. There’s some spark of imagination or belief that every person contains, which can illuminate even the most seemingly world-weary.
