Slim

Question 1

What is Slim dignified as?

Answer 1

A charismatic craftsman

Question 2

What does Slim have that contrasts with the pervasive violence of other characters?

Answer 2

A natural authority, with gentleness and friendliness

Question 3

What does Slim represent as a character?

Answer 3

A strong moral force, almost acting like a ‘conscience’ to other characters

Question 4

What does Steinbeck’s opening description represent to his character?

Answer 4

The strong, skilled and chivalrous man who was idealised in Hollywood western movies of the 1930s

Question 5

What quote is intended to make him a figure that the reader trusts?

Answer 5

‘Like the others he wore blue jeans or a denim jacket’

Question 6

What is Slim know as on the ranch, and why?

Answer 6

‘Prince of the ranch’ because he ‘moved with a majesty only achieved by royalty’.

Question 7

Why is Slim important to the ranch?

Answer 7

Because skilled workers were highly valued in 1930s America

Question 8

What quote shows he’s trusted by the other ranch hands?

Answer 8

‘His authority was so great that his word was taken on any subject’

Question 9

What quotes are used to describe him in divine terms?

Answer 9

‘His hatchet face was ageless’. ‘His ear heated more than was said’. ‘His hands, large and lean…delicate…as a temple dancer’.

Question 10

How does he enable other ranchers to confess their feelings to him?

Answer 10

Because of his calm and god-like manner

Question 11

How does Slim act when first meeting George and Lennie?

Answer 11

‘He looked kindly at the two in the bunkhouse’

Question 12

What does Slim contrast with on the ranch when treating others?

Answer 12

Those who attempt to bully others that they perceive as weak

Question 13

What quote shows Slims surprise at George and Lennie travelling together?

Answer 13

“Ain’t many guys who travel around together”

Question 14

What does Steinbeck want the readers to understand through Slims character?

Answer 14

The dehumanisation that migrant workers suffered whilst travelling from ranches

Question 15

What quote shows that temporary employment was normal for the workers?

Answer 15

“Work a month, and then quit and go out alone”

Question 16

Why do the workers ‘never seem to give a damn about nobody’?

Answer 16

Because the competition for jobs dehumanised them, making them lack sympathy and empathy for others

Question 17

What quote shows that only the physically and mentally strongest can survive in the 1930s?

Answer 17

“I drowned four of the right off. She couldn’t feed that many”

Question 18

What quote proves that Slim is a glimpse of hope that there are men with a moral code that see the good in people?

Answer 18

“Hope you get on my team, he said. His voice was gentle.”

Question 19

What quote shows Slim values Lennie for what he is, and doesn’t attempt to exploit his weakness?

Answer 19

“Guys don’t need no sense to be a nice fella”. “I can see that Lennie ain’t a bit mean”.

Question 20

What does that fact that he doesn’t judge George for the way he treated Lennie say about him?

Answer 20

He considers the evidence carefully and is god-like in authority

Question 21

What quote shows Slim understands what George had gone through when shooting Lennie?

Answer 21

“You hadda, George. I swear you hadda.”

Question 22

The ranch is a very masculine world of hard work, gambling, and fighting. By presenting Slim, what could Steinbeck be suggesting?

Answer 22

His approach is the way forward in the modern world