Quotes From Of Mice and Men That Will Inspire You in 2023
The Power of Friendship
Throughout John Steinbeck's classic novel Of Mice and Men, the power of friendship is seen as a recurring theme. The main character, George Milton, and his companion, Lennie Small, have a close bond that no one can break. George and Lennie are an example of how friendship can be strong and powerful, even in the toughest of times. Here are some of the most memorable quotes from Of Mice and Men that demonstrate the power of friendship.
“Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world. They got no family. They don’t belong no place... With us it ain’t like that. We got a future. We got somebody to talk to that gives a damn about us. We don’t have to sit in no bar room blowin’ in our jack jus’ because we got no place else to go. If them other guys gets in jail they can rot for all anybody gives a damn. But not us.”
George and Lennie have each other, and that makes them different and better than all the other itinerant ranch hands out there. They will never be lonely or forgotten because they have each other.
“I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you, and that’s why.”
This quote from George to Lennie captures the essence of their friendship. They know they can depend on each other and look out for each other. It's a bond that can't be broken.
“If I was alone I could live so easy. I could go get a job an’ work, an’ no trouble. No mess at all, and when the end of the month come I could take my fifty bucks and go into town and get whatever I want.”
George knows that life would be easier without Lennie, but he also knows that it wouldn't be as fulfilling. He'd have no one to share his joys and sorrows with, and that's why he stays with Lennie and looks after him.
The Strength of Dreams
A recurring theme throughout Of Mice and Men is the power of dreams. Despite the harsh realities of the Great Depression, George and Lennie cling to their dreams of a better life. Here are some quotes that demonstrate the strength of their dreams.
“Tell about the rabbits, George.”
Lennie's one request is to hear George tell him about their dream farm. This demonstrates the power of their dreams, that even in the toughest of times, they can still cling to them and find solace in them.
“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. Havin’ a little fun, not carin’ too much. I seen it over an’ over…”
George knows that most of the men they encounter on the road will never find what they are looking for, and will never realize their dreams. But he and Lennie are different, and they will never give up on their dreams.
“We’ll have a big vegetable patch and a rabbit hutch and chickens. And when it rains in the winter, we’ll just say the hell with goin’ to work, and we’ll build up a fire in the stove and set around it an’ listen to the rain comin’ down on the roof…an’ we’ll build up a dam to make a little lake.”
George's description of their dream farm shows how powerful their dreams are, and how much comfort they bring to them in the toughest of times.
Conclusion
John Steinbeck's classic novel Of Mice and Men is full of quotes that demonstrate the power of friendship and the strength of dreams. These quotes are as inspiring today as they were when the book was written, and they will continue to inspire readers in 2023 and beyond.