zz1 Spé C à Coubertin

     Commentary correction preliminary remarks This passage from section 2 introduces several important points : The mysterious origin of Lennie, George's frustration, Candy's presentation, and the aftermath ( consequence ) of the interview with the boss. 1. How is characterization exemplified here ? Lennie + George = conflict. Solved mostly through dialogues .  Candy + old dog = Candy. They are consubstantial.  2. Is tragedy used here ? George = shooting, hell x 2. Tempts Destiny / predestination. Lennie as cards reader (very good questions = Sphynx + Oedipus), asking the three question : where I come from ? Who am I ? (and in section 3, Where am I going ?). Oedipus thinks he's mastered the riddle (enigma), but he's yet to learn about his real past, self and future, just like George. Fear + awe (Artistotle). Candy = will lose the dog. Anticipation : we don't have Carlson's reaction to the dog first, but its relationship with the old man. Unity = plac...

 Section 4 p.85 "Lennie leaned toward..." p. 86 "...under their hand." the project / dream will never be done. 1. Here, Lennie is the one who evokes the dream, coming back to it. His innocence echoes Crook's experience : Crooks "brutally" says the dream is but an illusion, that's it's all in the "head", not in the "hand." Once more, the text highlights the significance of the hand (Curley's glove full of vaseline, Curley's hand crushed by Lennie's paw, Crooks' pink palm, etc.). 2. Lennie keeps coming back to the dream, and speaks about the "Land", and the "promises" made by George. His vision features milk and cream and fat. It's quite reminiscent of the biblical Promised Land, the land of milk and honey. It can also make us think about the American dream and the conquest of the West, in a personal, almost mystical way. To this heavenly dream, Crooks opposes the blunt reality of the ra...