Slim

Question 1

1. Introduced by Steinbeck by reputation before physical entrance (1)

Answer 1

• “Hell of a nice fella. Slim don’t need no high heeled boots”

Question 2

2. First all-important entrance (6)

Answer 2

• “He held a crushed Stetson hat under his arm…like the others he wore blue jeans and a short denim jacket.”
• “…he moved with a majesty only achieved by royalty and master craftsmen”
• “the prince of the ranch, capable of driving ten, sixteen, even twenty mules…capable of killing a fly on the wheeler’s butt with a bull whip”
• “gravity in his manner…all talk stopped when he spoke…authority so great, his word was taken on any subject, be it politics or love
• “Hands, large and lean, were as delicate in their action as those of a temple dancer”
• “‘Brighter’n a bitch outside”

Question 3

3. Confidence he inspires in everyone (3)

Answer 3

• “His ear heard more than was said to him, and his slow speech had overtones not of thought, but of understanding beyond thought.”
• “He looked kindly at the two”
• “Slim looked through George and beyond him”

Question 4

4. Insights into understanding of human nature, despite lonely bunkhouse position - elevated him to a sage-like position

Answer 4

• “Maybe everybody in the whole damn world is scared of each other”

Question 5

5. Response to death of Candy’s dog - marks him as pragmatic, ideally suited to ranch life (3)

Answer 5

• “Candy looked a long time at Slim to try to find some reversal. And Slim gave him none”
• “Carlson…you know what to do…take a shovel”
• “Candy, you can have any one of them pups you want”

Question 6

6. Racial tolerance at a time of rampant discrimination (3)

Answer 6

• “Oh hello Crooks.”
• “No. I’ll come do it myself”
• “Slim followed the stable buck out of the room”

Question 7

7. Rumours about Curley’s Wife and Slim (3)

Answer 7

• “Where the hell’s Slim?”
• “Thinks Slim’s with his wife don’t he?”
• “Hey good-lookin”

Question 8

8. Defence of Lennie during Lennie’s attack (1)

Answer 8

• “‘The dirty little rat,’ he cried, ‘I’ll get him myself’”

Question 9

9. Heartfelt and deeply resonating response to the dead body of Curley’s Wife (2)

Answer 9

• “Slim went quietly over to her”
• “one lean finger touched her cheek, and then his hand went under her slightly twisted neck and his fingers explored her neck.”

Question 10

10. Subtle acknowledgement of dangers contained within a man like Lennie (3)

Answer 10

• “I guess Lennie done it alright”
• “Maybe like that time in Weed you was telling me about”
• “I guess we gotta get him”

Question 11

11. Attempt to orchestrate manhunt for Lennie, in fact designed to help Lennie

Answer 11

• “Curley - maybe you better stay here with your wife”

Question 12

12. Emotional support for George after Lennie’s death (3)

Answer 12

• “Slim came directly to George and sat down beside him, sat very close to him. ‘Never you mind,’ said Slim. ‘A guy got to sometimes.’”
• “‘Come on now George. Me an’ you’ll go get a drink’”
• “He led George into the entrance of the trail and up towards the highway