How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Gram has believed for most of my seventeen years that this particular houseplant, which is of the nondescript variety, reflects my emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being. I've grown to believe it too. (1.2)
Can you imagine looking at a sick plant and thinking it means something's wrong with you? Welcome to Lennie's world. It's slightly different from our own, and this paragraph clues readers into that difference. Notice that the plant that represents Lennie is simply described as "nondescript." A reflection on how Lennie sees herself? More on this over in the "Symbols" section, Shmoopers.
Quote #2
Each morning, when I woke,
I listened for the tireless pounding,
Looked at the drear through the window
And was relieved
That at least the sun had the decency
To stay the hell away from us. (2.47)
Remember how we said that the outside world often reflects how Lennie is feeling? The days of rain that follow Bailey's death are definitely one of those cases. Lennie's relieved that the rain reflects her suffering, but it can't last forever—later, the nice weather makes Lennie feel more alone.
Quote #3
"That garden is wild, never seen flowers like that, though some of those roses might chop off my head and put me in a vase." He shakes his head in amazement and his hair falls too adorably in his eyes. "It's like Eden or something." (9.39)
Joe talks about Gram's plants as if they're alive. Well, yes, they are alive, but we mean he acts like they have human-like agency. This adds some more evidence to the theory that Lennie's houseplant actually represents her. And yes, by Eden, Joe means the Garden of Eden, where the first biblical humans were tempted. Someone has a crush.