Characters

Question 1

How could you link George to context

Answer 1

1) American Dream
2) Loneliness of migrant workers
3) Gender
4) Attitudes towards the marginalised in society
5) Predatory nature of society

Question 2

How could you describe George

Answer 2

1) Principled - persistent with Lennie.
2) Alert.
3) Pragmatic (practical).
4) Capable.
5) Makes contingency plan.
6) Decisive.
7) Reliable.
8) Trustworthy.
9) Loyal.

Question 3

Quotes to do with George

Answer 3

‘Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world’

Question 4

‘Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world’

Answer 4

Steinbeck idealizes male friendships, suggesting they are the most dignified and satisfying way to overcome the loneliness that pervades the world.

Question 5

What does Lennie represent

Answer 5

1) He represents how those with mental difficulties are treated.
2) He highlights how cruel others can be towards the marginalised.
3) He represents how hard life was for the ordinary migrant workers.
4) He represents the American Dream and its futility.

Question 6

How could you describe Lennie

Answer 6

1) Maladaptive behaviour.
2) Unguarded.
3) Cannot remember past misdemeanours.
4) Vulnerable.
5) Child-like.
6) Gentle.
7) Innocent.

Question 7

How could you link Lennie to context

Answer 7

1) Vulnerability of minority groups.
2) Futility of dream.
3) Life of migrant workers.
4) Isolation.
5) Attitudes towards disability.

Question 8

Key quotes relevant to Lennie

Answer 8

“Drank with long gulps, snorting into the water like a horse”- Animalistic imagery- he does things in a simplistic manner- reference to mental disability and how without George he wouldn’t survive in such a stereotypical society

‘“Because I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you”- shows how both Lennie and George need each other

‘We could live off the fatta the lan’ - reference to American Dream and how it was extremely difficult to achieve, especially for those with disabilities

Question 9

What does Curley’s wife represent

Answer 9

1) She represents the negative effects of the patriarchal society - especially women’s lack of status.
2) She represents women trapped in loveless, unhappy marriages.
3) She represents the marginalised, vulnerable and lonely.
4) She represents the failure of dreams.

Question 10

How could you describe Curley’s wife

Answer 10

1) Young.
2) Pretty.
3) Attractive.
4) Flirtatious.
5) Attention seeking.
6) Lonely.
7) Naïve.
8) Isolated.
9) Miserable.

Question 11

What does George represent

Answer 11

1) He represents ordinary migrant workers.
2) He represents those who care for the marginalised in society.
3) He reveals the loneliness of migrant workers and the need for friendships.
4) He represents the practical man as well as the ‘dreamer’ (The American Dream).

Question 12

How could you link Curley’s wife to context

Answer 12

1) The men are unable to settle with a wife due to lack of funds, so have to seek sexual gratification from prostitutes (and spend money in the process).
2) Attitudes towards women in society.
3) The American Dream.
4) Life of migrant workers.

Question 13

Quotes that relate to Curley’s wife

Answer 13

‘I never get to talk to nobody. I get awful lonely.’

‘I could get you strung up on a tree so easy it ain’t even funny.’-

‘I coulda been in the pictures.’

Question 14

What does Curley represent

Answer 14

1) represents the discriminative in society: targets Lennie
2) represents toxic masculinity

3)

Question 15

How could you describe Curley

Answer 15

1) manipulative
2) discriminatory
3) insecure
4) weak

Question 16

How could you link Curley to context

Answer 16

1) Ageism
2) Discrimination of people with disabilities
3) the minority of land-owning class
4) explotation and misuse of power of those at the top of the heirarchy

Question 17

Key Quotes to do with Curley

Answer 17

‘Come on, ya big bastard. Get up on your feet’ - targeting Lennie because of his mental disability

Question 18

What does Crooks represent

Answer 18

1) represents the plight of black ppl at the time facing racism discrimination
2) represents the lonely and isolated
3) represents the cynical (

Question 19

How could you describe Crooks

Answer 19

1) manipulative
2) lonely
3) disempowered
4) isolated
5) vulnerable
6) intelligent
7) aloof
8) weak

Question 20

How could you link Crooks to context

Answer 20

1) Racism
2) Physical disabilities
3) American Dream
4) jim Crow Law- enforcing segregation
5) treatment of the marginalised
6) loneliness and isolation
7) life of migrant workers

Question 21

Key quotes to do with Crooks

Answer 21

‘had his bunk in the harness room; a little shed that leaned of the wall of the barn’- physically spereated- racism at time- seen in vein of animals

‘a mauled copy of the California civil code’- reference to racism- meant to protect him- reference to loneliness

Question 22

How could you describe Candy

Answer 22

1) pleasing
2) old
3) weak
4) vulnerable
5) independent
6) lonely

Question 23

How could you describe Candy

Answer 23

1) pleasing
2) vulnerable
3) old
4) lonely

Question 24

How could you link Candy to context

Answer 24

1) Physical disabilities
2) Ageism
3) American Dream

Question 25

Key quotes to do with Candy

Answer 25

‘The old swamper’- known for his age- given easiest job on the ranch

‘When they can me here I wisht somebody’d shoot me’- refrence to ageism and gret depression, his work is his life and without it he wouldn’t survive and wouldn’t have anyone- powerlessness

’

Question 26

How could you describe Slim

Answer 26

1) Powerful
2) Authoritative
3) Balanced
4) Calm
5) well liked
6) patient
7) respectful

Question 27

What does Slim represent

Answer 27

• never discusses dream- realist in society, represents those practical
• represents good leadership and kindness- leads in a fair way- has respect
• represents the practical- man of experience who makes tough decisions
• represents the emotionally intelligent- understands George and Lennie’s friendship in a way others don’t

Question 28

How can you link Slim to context

Answer 28

1) Society of ppl not understanding each other- loneliness- friendships
2) Life of migrant workers
3) fair leadership