Question

When Curley's wife is trying to console Lennie, she states, "You can get another one easy. The whole country is fulla mutts." How might that statement be applied to more than just animals?

a) This statement suggests that Lennie can easily find a new friend to replace his puppy.
b) The statement implies that there are plenty of replacement puppies available in the area.
c) It reflects the idea that there are many people with simple and kind-hearted natures, like Lennie.
d) The statement applies to the prevalence of lonely and isolated individuals in the country.

Answer 1

Curley's wife's statement can be interpreted as reflecting the disposability of individuals in society, mirroring the plight of lonely and isolated individuals like Lennie during the Great Depression, and suggesting a deeper societal commentary.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement "You can get another one easy. The whole country is full mutts" made by Curley's wife in John Steinbeck's 'Of Mice and Men' could reflect deeper societal themes beyond just the context of animals. While it might superficially suggest that Lennie can easily find a new puppy (option b), it can also be interpreted as a commentary on the disposability and facelessness of the individuals in the society depicted in the novel (option d). This statement could imply that the way society regards animals is not dissimilar to the way it regards its members, particularly those who are lonely and isolated, like Lennie. The phrase 'mutts' can be seen as a metaphor for the overlooked and undervalued people during the Great Depression, suggesting that everyone is replaceable, and none are truly valued or understood.