The Third Section

Pinpoint a turning point for the book in this section. Include the turning point as a quotation and explain why you think it is a turning point.
"George spat on the floor disgustedly. 'We got ten bucks between us.' Then he said thoughtfully, 'Look, if me an' Lennie work an' don't spen' nothing, we'll have a hunderd bucks. That'd be four fifty. I bet we could swing her for that. Then you an' Lennie could go get her started an' I'd get a job an' make up the res', an' you could sell eggs an' stuff like that.'

They fell into a silence. They looked at one another, amazed. This thing they had never really believed in was coming true. George said reverently, 'Jesus Christ! I bet we could swing her.' His eyes were full of wonder. 'I bet we could swing her,' he repeated softly."

I think that this quote is a turning point in the book because this is the point when it seems like George and Lennie's dream could become a reality. They knew of a place they could buy for themselves, but they didn't have the money to make it happen. Candy, however, does have money saved up, and a reason to want to help them buy the land. This is the first time in the book that it truly seems like George and Lennie might have a chance of living their dream and buying their own piece of land.


Define the term juxtaposition.
Juxtaposition in literature is the placement of two concepts, characters, ideas, etc side by side to demonstrate a contrast between them

Why do you think Steinbeck juxtaposes the scene with George, Lennie, and Candy discussing their plans to get some land of their own with the fight scene between Lennie and Curley?
I think that Steinbeck juxtaposes these two scenes because they have very different feelings and consequences. The scene in which George, Lennie, and Candy are discussing their plans seems hopeful -- it seems like things are finally looking up for them, like things will turn out well, like they can finally be independent. But then Curley comes in and the mood shifts dramatically. Suddenly George and Lennie are not the ones holding power, as Curley comes in and reminds them that they are not yet free to begin their new life. The fight scene destroys the feeling of hope that was present in the last scene. Now they need to worry about keeping their jobs and about dealing with the aggressive Curley. No longer can they just assume that they will be able to make their money and buy their land and leave for their own lives.