Slim Flashcards
What are the 5 qualities of Slim in Of Mice and Men?
God-like Natural born leader Powerful Pragmatic Moral character
What 3 quotes demonstrate Slim being god-like?
“his ear heard more than was said to him…slow speech had overtones not of thought, but of understanding beyond thought”
“ageless”
“god-like”
What is the context behind Slim being portrayed as god-like?
He represents the ideal man: compassionate, kind, moral
Reveres cowboy in stark contrast to negative portrayal of Boss and Curley
Steinbeck promotes anti-capitalist message through him
What 3 quotes demonstrate Slim being a natural born leader? State them and what they mean.
‘majesty/royalty/master’ - connotations of royalty, immediately creates sense of power and authority
‘all take stopped when he spoke/For Slim’s opinions were law’ - clear sign of respect that workers have for him
‘friendly’ - power effortless compared to Curley and boss who wear ‘high-heeled boots’ and give ‘hell’ to assert dominance
What is the context behind Slim being portrayed as a natural born leader?
Contrast between him and Curley suggests economic power being artificial - violation of natural order in which he ranks highest
Represents idealised American cowboy - high moral standing
Contrasts greed of capitalists that Steinbeck believed were destroying agricultural life
What 3 quotes demonstrate Slim being powerful? State them and what they mean.
“jerkline skinner” - power derives from his skill, contrasts Candy who is considered disposable due to low skills
“Carlson stepped back to let Slim precede him” - literal indicator of ranch hierarchy
“I think you got your han’ caught in a machine. If you don’t tell nobody what happened, we ain’t going to. - has authority over Candy
Understands power doesn’t derive from skills
Perceptive - understands Curley values his reputations, uses it as bargaining power
What is the context behind Slim being powerful?
Fortunate to be a more permanent worker - unusual position to be in during Great Depression as work was scarce
Lives in a capitalist world - worth determined by usefulness in making profit
What 3 quotes demonstrate Slim being pragmatic? State them and what they mean.
“I drowned four of ‘em right off” - clearly not drawn into sentimentality, justifies violent behaviour by considering ‘the greater good’
Non-chalant manner of speaking reminds reader of brutal world he lives - weakest dismissed with little thought
“Candy looked a long time at Slim to try and find some reversal. And Slim gave him none” - non-reponse seals fate of sheepdog, suggests support of euthanasia: linking back to ending
“You hadda, George. I swear you hadda” - objectively considers Lennie’s alternatives (brutal murder or admission into an institution), able to make rational decisions to navigate the cruel world
What is the context behind Slim being pragmatic?
Social Darwinism - gained popularity among US elites in 1920-30s
Belief left no room for compassion for likes of those like Lennie - considered as natural order of things
Slim has compassion but harsh actions reveal reprecussions of cruel world: sometimes doing good isn’t an option but doing less evil is
What 3 quotes demonstrate Slim being a moral character? State them and what they mean.
“Hell of a nice fella’ - immediately introduced as a good person
“Hi, Good-lookin”, “Oh! Hello Crooks”, “Lennie ain’t mean” - kind to weakest members of the ranch
“Take a shovel”/”invites confidence”/”Come on, George…” - shows compassion, reveals harsher actions are acts of mercy rather than cruelty
Provides contrast to hostility of ranch and gives hope that men are capable of good
What is the context behind Slim being a moral character?
Presented as thoughtful and sensitive to challenge stereotype of ranch worker
Novella’s moral center - reader looks to him to help determine morality of George’s actions
What are the 4 purposes of Slim as a character in Of Mice and Men?
Promoting anti-capitalism
Emphasising the cruelty of society
Promoting Steinbeck’s idea of an ideal man
Eradicating George’s guilt
