Candy Quotes

Question 1

what is special about candy’s character on the ranch

Answer 1

He is the only old ranch worker- used by Steinbeck to show how brutal the capitalist order is - life force is taken - once ranch workers grow old they’re discarded

Question 2

“Grey of muzzle…moth eaten” what is this quote about ?

Answer 2

this quote is a description of candy’s dog. The dog is an extension of himself - metaphor of candy.

Question 3

“Moth eaten” what is Steinbeck suggesting about Candy’s dog?

Answer 3

the dog has been eaten away by years/ grown older - going to be shot. The dog echos the life of older ranch workers in this situation, Candy

Question 4

“Nobody’d listen to us” What does this show about candy’s conscience?

Answer 4

He believes that he has no say in anything on the ranch due to his elderly age - he feels useless - doesn’t want to attempt to enter discussion

Question 5

When in the book does Candy say “Nobody’d listen to us” ?

Answer 5

He says this when all the other ranch men are in the whore house, and he Lennie and Crooks (three weakest links) are left behind.

Question 6

“Nobody’d listen to (US)” what literary device is being used and for what reason?

Answer 6

Candy uses (us) to label the three weakest links - as they would be dismissed due to their old age , race , and lack of intellect - they all experience individual struggles.

Question 7

When candy tries to defend his dog from dying “ Candy looked for help from Face to Face”

Answer 7

illustrates how candy is alone- old- no one cares for his say - no one will come to his rescue - results in dog dying

Question 8

“I ain’t much good”

Answer 8

He believes he is useless on the ranch as he is old.

Question 9

“I ain’t much good” what mood does this create for the reader.

Answer 9

this makes the reader feel pathos for candy.

Question 10

” They looked at one another ,amazed. This thing they had never really believed in was coming true” What do the words ‘Really believed’ ‘amazed’ show?

Answer 10

their dream is being further expanded as Candy is becoming involved. They believed it was for the more fortunate however now it looks as if it will be more obtainable.

Question 11

“They looked at one another, amazed” what does the use of alliteration emphasise ?

Answer 11

‘Another’ and ‘Amazed’ both highlight that they all believe the dream is within reach .

Question 12

Why is the quote “the swamper warmed to his gossip” significant?

Answer 12

It shows that the workers on the ranch have such boring lives they find it quite exciting to hear what people have to say about others.

Question 13

In what way is Candy described to tell us he has been physically worn down by work?

Answer 13

“Stoop-shouldered”

Question 14

What does the language used by Candy to describe Crooks tell us about the relationship between black and white people?

Answer 14

Even when the stable Buck hasn’t done anything “the boss gives him hell when he’s mad.” This tells us that white people looked down on black people and discriminated against them for no valid reason.

They also think it is appropriate to refer to him as “nigger”

Question 15

What is Candy’s function in Of Mice and Men?

Answer 15

Candy gives Steinbeck an opportunity to discuss social discrimination based on age and handicaps

Question 16

What does Candy represent?

Answer 16

Candy represents what happens to everybody who gets old in American society.

Question 17

What does it show when Candy came in to Crooks’ room but was still embarrassed?

Answer 17

It shows that he was trying to confront his prejudices. As well as this, because Lennie is talking to Crooks after such a short period of time Candy realises that they are both normal workers and that he is not racist but he just copies everyone else.

Question 18

Candy sourly said to Curley’s wife “Curley ain’t been here”. What does this tell us about how candy feels towards her?

Answer 18

It shows that he doesn’t want Curley’s wife in the room because he thinks she is mischievous and could get them into trouble

Question 19

What does Candy say is the reason Curley got hurt?

Answer 19

“He got his han’ caught in a machine”

Question 20

What does Candy say when he is standing up for crooks?

Answer 20

“If you was to do that, we’d tell” this shows us that although he is socially conditioned to be racist he is going against this. However he did say this “quietly” which shows that he is not confident in supporting a black person around another racist white person.

Question 21

What does Candy say which shows us that he didn’t trust Curley’s wife until she was dead?

Answer 21

“You oughten to sleep out here” and he said this disapprovingly showing that he didn’t respect her.

Question 22

How was Candy described when he found out that Curley’s wife was dead and why?

Answer 22

“He stood up, slowly and stiffly, his face was as hard and tight as wood.”

This is because he immediately knows that Lennie has done this and he needs to think of something to do about it, but also that all of his dreams have been ruined.

Question 23

How do we know that Candy is trying to make George think that there is hope?

Answer 23

He spoke “excitedly” and said “we oughtta let ‘im get away.”

Question 24

What tells us that Candy doesn’t care that Curley’s wife died?

Answer 24

Even when he is squatting down in front of her dead body he says “poor bastard” but he wasn’t talking about her he was talking about Lennie and what could happen to him.

Question 25

How is Candy different from the other ranch workers and how does this help him to sympathise with George?

Answer 25

Candy and his dog parallel the relationship of George and Lennie. Like Candy’s, Lennie depends on George to take care of him and show him what to do. Candy, like George is different from the other ranch hands because he has his dog as a constant companion, someone devoted and loyal to him.