John Steinbeck book summaries

“Well, 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.”

George describes the dream farm to Lennie, emphasizing the comfort and freedom it would bring.

“I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you, and that's why.”

Lennie explains to George why they are different from other ranch hands who are alone.

“Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world. They got no family. They don't belong no place.”

George tells Lennie about the loneliness of their life, contrasting it with their friendship.

“A guy needs somebody—to be near him. A guy goes nuts if he ain't got nobody.”

Crooks speaks about his isolation and the universal need for companionship.

“I could of hoed in the garden and washed dishes for them guys. But I tell ya, I wasn't gonna stay in the house no more. I was gonna go out in the fields and work.”

Curley's wife expresses her regret and her desire for a different life, revealing her own dreams.

“I ought to of shot that dog myself, George. I shouldn't ought to of let no stranger shoot my dog.”

Candy reflects on his failure to protect his dog, foreshadowing George's decision to shoot Lennie himself.

“I'll be there. I'll be there. I'll be there.”

Tom Joad's farewell to his mother, after he decides to leave the family to fight for justice, echoing the biblical promise of presence.

“And the little screaming fact that sounds through all history: repression works only to strengthen and knit the repressed.”

From an intercalary chapter, reflecting on the resilience of the oppressed.

“The people are the road. The people are the road.”

A line from an intercalary chapter, emphasizing the collective identity of the migrants.

“Wherever they's a cop that beats a guy, wherever they's a hungry kid, wherever they's a man that's fightin' for his rights, I'll be there.”

Tom Joad's speech to his mother, explaining his new mission after Casy's death.