Whit

Question 1

Steinbeck’s Purpose

Answer 1

• young man with a potential future but readers know that it’s unlikely for Whit to be even more than what it is
• small/minor character but he serves the larger purpose of illustrating the hopelessness with which George and Lennie are living
• sees Slim as a leader (heightens his position)

Question 2

“young laboring man”

Answer 2

typical worker

Question 3

“he did not surrender his hold on it”

Answer 3

• Whit refuses to forget the past and his friend Bill Tenner and all association with him
• suggests how friendships were rare and his a physical representation of this

Question 4

“been around these big ranches”

Answer 4

• stereotypical itinerant worker

- just another worker bent over with the weight of labouring for someone else’s gain

Question 5

Says that he’s “seen her give Slim the eye. Curley never seen it.”

Answer 5

• shows that there’s a rivalry between Slim and Curley

- suggests that it will lead to trouble