Of Mice and Men: 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

What moments in the novel are important in exploring George’s character

Answer 3

1) Him believing the dream of owning a little place. P67
2) Judging Curley’s wife before he knows anything about her character. P31
3) Revealing how he nearly killed Lennie. P45
4) Killing Lennie. P120
5) His initial description. P2

Question 4

Key quotations for George

Answer 4

“The hand shook violently, but his face set and his hand steadied. He pulled the trigger.” P105
“Jesus Christ! I bet we could swing her.” P67
“Well, I ain’t done nothing like that no more.” P46 (about using Lennie)

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

What moments in the novel are important in exploring Lennie’s character

Answer 8

1) Crushing Curley’s hand. P71
2) Mice. P101
3) Death of puppy. P95
4) Death of Curley’s wife. P103
5) Befriends Crooks. P77
6) Scared George won’t return. P81
7) Belief in Dream. P65-69
8) His death. P120
9) Reaction to Curley’s wife. P34-35
10) No concept of racism. P77
11) What happened in Weed. P47

Question 9

Key quotations for Lennie

Answer 9

“Lennie was smiling with delight at the memory of the ranch.” P70
“Let this guy alone. Don’t you do no messing around with him […] George won’t have you messing with Lennie.” P90 (Candy to Curley’s wife)
“I didn’t want to hurt you but George’ll be mad if you yell.” (Lennie to Curley’s wife’s dead body)

Question 10

What does Curley’s wife represent

Answer 10

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 11

How could you describe Curley’s wife

Answer 11

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

Question 12

What does George represent

Answer 12

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 13

How could you link Curley’s wife to context

Answer 13

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 14

What moments in the novel are important in exploring Curley’s wife’s character

Answer 14

1) P32 Introduced.
2) P87 Dream.
3) P91 Description after death.
4) P78 Futility of dream and aggression to Candy, Crooks and Lennie.

Question 15

Key quotations for Curley’s wife

Answer 15

“And then her words tumbled out in a passion of communication, as though she hurried before her listener could be taken away.” P87
“ Well, I ain’t told this to nobody before. Maybe I ought’ not. I don’t like Curley. He ain’t a nice fella.” P100
“ Because this guy says I was a natural.” P100

Question 16

What does Curley represent

Answer 16

1) He represents the brutality of society through his aggression / the predatory nature of the ranch.
2) He represents those who ‘lead’ by bullying, by inherited status or preying on the weak.
3) He represents the patriarchal society at its worst by his attitude towards his wife.
4) He represents the meanness and lack of understanding towards the marginalised in society.

Question 17

How could you describe Curley

Answer 17

1) Pugnacious.
2) Aggressive.
3) Patriarchal.
4) Mean.
5) Brutal.
6) Cruel.
7) Hot-headed.

Question 18

How could you link Curley to context

Answer 18

1) Contemporary attitudes towards women.
2) Hierarchy.
3) Patriarchal society.
4) Meanness and lack of understanding towards the marginalised.
5) Futility of American Dream.

Question 19

Key quotations for Curley

Answer 19

1) Curley:” Well, I didn’t mean nothing, Slim. I just ast you”.
Slim:” Well, you been askin’ me too often…”
Curley:” I’m jus’ tryin’ to tell you it didn’t mean nothing.. I just thought you might of saw her”.
2) P28 “Don’t tell Curley I said none of this”.
3) P29 “glove fulla Vaseline”.
4) P29 “I seen her give Slim the eye. Curley never seen it”.
5) P31 “ If he tangles with you,Lennie, we’re gonna get the can. Don’t make no mistake about that. He’s the boss’ son”.
6) P38 “ I’m scared I’m gonna tangle with that bastard myself. I hate his guts. Jesus, Christ!”.
7) P77 “Sure I gotta husban’. You all seen him. Swell guy, ain’t he?”.
8) P97 He wants to shoot Lennie in the guts.

Question 20

What does Candy represent

Answer 20

1) He represents the plight of old people at the time. (pages 45,78,80)
2) He is a gossip who can be mean to ‘fit in’, so represents people in society behaving in a certain way to survive. (pages 26-30)
3) He represents failed dreams and the endless search for dreams to become reality. (pages 59-60)
4) He is one of the ‘weak ones’ because as well as his age and disability he is ‘trapped’ on the ranch. (pages 60,75,94)

Question 21

How could you describe Candy

Answer 21

1) Old.
2) Weak.
3) A gossip.
4) Independent.
5) Vulnerable.
6) Selfish (when he blames CW for his dream failing).

Question 22

How could you link Candy to context

Answer 22

1) Ideas about age and disability in society.

2) Futility of American Dream.

Question 23

What moments in the novel are important in exploring Candy’s character

Answer 23

1) Angry about dream being off. P108
2) Wanting to join the dream. P67
3) Introduced. P20
4) Yelling at CW after her death. P89
5) Letting Carlson shoot his dog. P54

Question 24

Key quotations for Candy

Answer 24

” I ought to of shot that dog myself, George. I shouldn’t ought to of let no stranger shoot my dog.” P61
“We got our own lan’ , and it’s ours, an’ we c’n go to it.” P89
“ Candy said softly and hopelessly “awright- take him.” He did not look down at the dog at all.”
“You god damn tramp. You done it, di’n’t you? I s’pose you’re glad.” P108

Question 25

How could you describe Crooks

Answer 25

1) Cynical.
2) Lonely.
3) Isolated.
4) Cruel to Lennie.
5) Intelligent.
6) Proud.
7) Aloof.
8) Weak.

Question 26

Key quotations for Crooks

Answer 26

“If you guys would want a hand to work for nothing - just his keep, why I’d come an’ lend a hand.” P76
“Crooks’ face lightened with pleasure in his torture.” P81
“ Well, jus’ forget it. I didn’ mean it. Jus’ foolin’. I wouldn’t want to go no place like that. P94
“Nobody never gets to heaven and nobody gets no land.” P84

Question 27

What does Crooks represent

Answer 27

1) He represents the plight of black people at the time facing racism discrimination.
2) He represents the lonely and isolated.
3) He represents the cynical (particularly about the dream).
4) He shows his being cruelly can make a person mean.

Question 28

How could you link Crooks to context

Answer 28

1) Jim Crow Law (enforcing segregation).
2) Plight of black people.
3) Loneliness and isolation.
4) Treatment of the marginalised.
5) Life of migrant workers.

Question 29

What moments in the novel are important in exploring Crooks’ character

Answer 29

1) P21-22 First mention.
2) P66
3) P71 “His face lightened with pleasure in bus torture.”
4) P80 “Reduced himself to nothing..”
5) P81-82 Tells Candy etc to forget about his role in their dream.

Question 30

How could you describe Slim

Answer 30

1) Powerful.
2) Authoritative.
3) Balanced.
4) Calm.
5) Well liked.
6) Patient.
7) Respectful.

Question 31

Key quotations for Slim

Answer 31

“Prince of the ranch” P37
“Hell of a nice fella” P31
“Me and you’ll go in an’ get a drink. You hadda George. I swear you hadda. Come on with me.” P121

Question 32

What does Slim represent

Answer 32

1) Unlike the ‘dreamers’, Slim never discusses a dream - he is a realist and represents those practical, realists in society.
2) He represents good leadership and kindness - he leads in a just, fair way, speaks to the marginalised in a kind way and therefore has the respect of the other ranch workers.
3) He represents the practical, matter-of-fact man of experience who makes the tough decisions.
4) He represents the emotionally intelligent and people who understand others (Steinbeck’s message) - he understands George and Lennie’s friendship in a way others don’t.

Question 33

How could you link Slim to context

Answer 33

1) Society of people not understanding each-other.
2) Life of migrant workers.
3) Fair leadership.

Question 34

What moments in the novel are important in demonstrating Slim’s character

Answer 34

1) He decides Candy’s dog should be killed.
2) He suggests Curley should say his hand was caught in a machine.
3) He Comforts George at the end of the novel.
4) His description when introduced and what other characters such as Candy say about him.

Question 35

How could you describe Carlson

Answer 35

1) Persuasive.
2) Unempathetic.
3) Cruel.

Question 36

Key quotations for Carlson

Answer 36

“He won’t even feel it.” P54
“Now what the hell ya suppose is eatin’ them two guys?” P105
“God awmighty, that dog stinks. Get him outta here Candy!” P50

Question 37

What does Carlson represent

Answer 37

1) He represents the brutality of society through his aggression.
2) He represents those who bully others to get what they want.
3) He represents the meanness and lack of understanding towards the marginalised in society.
4) He represents the ordinary ranch workers.

Question 38

How could you link Carlson to context

Answer 38

1) Life of itinerant workers.
2) Effects of Great Depression.
3) Lack of empathy.
4) Treatment of marginalised.
5) No place for sentimentality in society.

Question 39

What moments in the novel are important in demonstrating Carlson’s character

Answer 39

1) Ending line.

2) Shooting Candy’s dog.