Key Quotations/ideas - Candy

Question 1

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

Answer 1

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 2

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

Answer 2

“Stoop-shouldered”

Question 3

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

Answer 3

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 4

What does Candy say that foreshadows the fight between Curley and Lennie?

Answer 4

“He’s alla time picking scraps with big guys.”

Question 5

What 3 things does Candy do which tells us that he was about the thought of losing his companion?

Answer 5

1) speaks “softly and hopelessly”
2) he starts “staring at the ceiling”
3) he “did not answer”

Question 6

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

Answer 6

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

Question 7

What does Candy represent?

Answer 7

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

Question 8

What is Candy’s fear?

Answer 8

Candy’s greatest fear is that once he is no longer able to help with the cleaning he will be “disposed of.” Like his old dog, he has lived beyond his usefulness.

Question 9

What helps the reader to think that George and Lennie’s dream is going to come true?

Answer 9

“An’ they give me two hunderd an’ fifty dollars ‘cause I los’ my hand. An’ I got fifty more saved up right in the bank, right now”

“This thing they had never really believed in was coming true.”

Question 10

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

Answer 10

If 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 11

What quote tells us that Candy thinks everyone would rather be self sufficient?

Answer 11

“Sure they all want it. Everybody wants a little bit of land”

Question 12

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

Answer 12

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 13

What tells us that Candy was starting to get angry when Curley’s wife made slim was threatened?

Answer 13

It says “a change came over old Candy.” This shows us that he got hope and had enough of her criticising them.

Question 14

What does Candy say is the reason Curley got hurt?

Answer 14

“He got his han’ caught in a machine”

Question 15

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

Answer 15

“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 16

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

Answer 16

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

Question 17

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

Answer 17

“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 18

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

Answer 18

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

Question 19

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

Answer 19

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 20

How do we know that Candy feels more strongly about the dream than George does by the end of the book?

Answer 20

Even after what happened to Curley’s wife and Lennie in the barn Candy still thinks he can have his safe haven, a place where no one will throw him out if he is too old. The dream is so strong in him that he pleads with George, to not avail, to have their farm despite Lennie’s death.

Question 21

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

Answer 21

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.

Question 22

What does Candy say about his dog that foreshadows Lennie’s death?

Answer 22

He said that he should have shot his dog himself - “be his brother’s keeper”, foreshadowing George’s decision to take responsibility for Lennie’s death.