Name: ___________________________________
TIMELINE
1929 – The Stock Market Crash happens starting the Great Depression
1931 – The seven year drought begins
1933 – The nation’s unemployment rate has quickly risen to the peak of nearly 25%
1937 – Of Mice and Men is published
John Steinbeck: the man who wrote the novella
He was from
Salinas, California
He set the novella in the same place where he was born and raised.
Life as a teenager
He spent his summers working as a hired hand on neighboring ranches,
where his experiences of rural California and its people impressed him
deeply.
What he wrote
about
Steinbeck’s best-known works deal intimately with the plight of
desperately poor California wanderers.
Other background information
The Stock Market
Crash (1929)
Women were fighting for the right to vote, and therefore be equal to men.
Their mission was not welcomed at the time.
The drought
(1931-1938)
Banks were forced to foreclose on mortgages and collect debts. Unable to
pay their creditors, many farmers lost their property and were forced to
find other work. But doing so proved very difficult, since the nation’s
unemployment rate had skyrocketed, peaking at nearly twenty-five
percent in 1933.
Characters who are linked to The
American Dream
Characters who suffer from prejudice
George – Own farm
Candy – ageism and disability
Lennie – Own farm
Crooks – racism
Candy – Join George’s farm
Curley’s wife and unseen women – sexism
Curley’s Wife – Movie star
Crooks – Join George’s farm
1
Key Word
Meaning
Repress /
Project
Characters repress (hide) their insecurities from everyone else by
projecting a different attitude. For example, Curley represses (hides) his
insecurities about being short. To hide this, he projects an aggressive
attitude to prove that he’s bigger and tougher than everyone else.
The Great
Depression
The Stock Market Crash of 1929 brought poverty to millions of Americans.
Ranch workers struggled to find any work, often travelling alone from
ranch to ranch to make a living to survive.
The American
Dream
Americans believe that America is the land of opportunity, where hard
work and ambition will lead to your dreams turning into a reality. In Of
Mice and Men, these American Dreams do not happen.
Power
Power comes through prejudice (race, gender, age) and the hierarchy on
the ranch.
Ranch
Ranch workers do a lot of physical labour on the fields. The workers
normally go from one ranch to another without making long term
friendships.
Objectification
When someone is treated like an object. Curley’s wife is objectified
throughout the novella.
Segregation
When people are separated. For example, Crook is segregated because
he is black and cannot live in the barn with the other ranch workers.
Napoleon
Complex / Little
Man Syndrome
Curley represses his insecurities about being physically small and
therefore acts more aggressively to seem more manly.
Promiscuous
Immoral, flirty behaved. This is mostly associated to Curley’s wife.
Discrimination /
Prejudice
Judging someone by their race, gender, age, religion etc.
2
Key Word
Meaning
3
Section 1
George and Lennie travel to Salinas for a job. We learn that they were
chased out of Weed after an incident. George clearly looks after Lennie,
telling him off about keeping a dead rat to pet and for insisting that he
wants ketchup. George also outlines their American Dream of owning
their own land, and why they’re different from the other ranch workers.
Section 2
We meet Candy who spreads gossip about Curley and Curley’s wife.
George and Lennie meet the boss who thinks that George is taking
advantage of Lennie. We meet Curley, who targets Lennie in an
aggressive manner, and his wife, who wears red and flirts with George
and Lennie. We also meet Slim.
Section 3
Slim gives Lennie a puppy. Carlson wants Candy’s dog shot, and gets
his wish despite Candy’s protests. Slim is on Carlson’s side. Curley is
looking for his wife and then asks where Slim is. Candy overhears
George talk to Lennie about their American Dream and joins in their
scheme. Curley starts a fight with Lennie which results in a broken hand.
Section 4
Whilst the others go out to town, Lennie visits Crooks. Crooks acts
aggressively at first, but is secretly happy to have the company. Crooks
manipulates Lennie until Lennie gets aggressive. Crooks tells Lennie
how lonely he is. Candy and then Curley’s wife come. Candy and
Crooks insult her, but she fires back showing she has the most power.
Section 5
While the ranch workers play the horseshoe game, Curley’s wife visits
Lennie in the barn. He has just killed his puppy. She tells him about her
American Dream and that she’s lonely. He accidentally kills her. Candy
finds her body and tells George, who says their American Dream is over.
They tell the others, who decide to hunt Lennie.
Section 6
Lennie is waiting for George and having hallucinations. George comes
and shows no anger to Lennie. He tells Lennie about their American
Dream before killing him. The others find George and Lennie, and whilst
Slim tries to console him, Carlson and Curley wonder why George looks
so sad.
4
Quick information
• Looks after Lennie
• Tries to stay out of trouble
GEORGE
Page
Theme
George to Lennie “I could
get along so easy and so
nice if I didn’t have you on
my tail. I could live so easy
and maybe have a girl.”
S1
p.7
Lennie
holding
back
George
“We got a future. We got
somebody to talk to that
gives a damn about us.”
S1
p.15
George
and
Lennie
different
from
other
ranch
workers
George to Candy giving up
on the American Dream: “I
think I knowed from the very
first. I think I knowed we’d
never do her. He usta like to
hear about it so much I got
to thinking maybe we
would”
S5:
p.103
The
American
Dream
George to Candy about his
future without Lennie: “I’ll
work my month an’ I’ll take
my fifty buck an’ I ‘ll stay all
night in some lousy cat
house. Or I’ll set in some
poolroom till ever’body goes
home. An’ then I’ll come
back an’ work another
month an’ I’ll have fifty
bucks more.”
S5
p.103
The
American
Dream /
Ranch
workers /
Loneliness
Notes
5
GEORGE
Page
Theme
Notes
6
Quick information
• Mind of a child
• Compared to an animal
• Doesn’t know his own strength
• Gets himself into trouble
LENNIE
Page
Theme
“and he walked heavily,
dragging his feet a little, the
way a bear drags his paws.”
S1
p.2
Lennie as
an animal
George to Lennie: “So you
forgot that awready, did
you? I gotta tell you again,
do I?”
S1
p.4
Lennie is
a child
Slim about Lennie: “Jesus…
He’s jes’ like a kid, ain’t
her.”
S3
p.47
Lennie is
a child
Lennie to George after he
crushes Curley’s hand: “’I
didn’t wanta,’ Lennie cried.
‘I didn’t wanta hurt him.”
S3
p.70 /
p.71
Lennie is
a child
Notes
George explaining Lennie to
Slim: “Lenniw was jus’
scairt”.
7
LENNIE
Page
Theme
Notes
8
Quick information
• Lost his hand in an accident on the ranch
• Very old
• No power
• Likes to gossip
CANDY AND HIS DOG
Page
Theme
Candy about his dog: “I had
‘im ever since he was a
pup. God, he was a good
sheep dog when he was
younger.”
S2
p.27
Ageism
“Well, I think Curley’s
married… a tart.”
S2
p.31
Sexism /
Gossip
Carlson about Candy’s dog:
“This ol’ dog suffer hisself
all the time”
S3
p.49
Ageism
Slim about Candy’s dog: “I
wisht somebody’d shoot me
if I got old an’ a cripple”
S3
p.50
Ageism
Notes
9
CANDY AND HIS DOG
Page
Theme
“At last Candy said softly
and helplessly, ‘Awright –
take ‘im.’”
S3
p.52
Power
Candy persuading George
to let him join their
American Dream: “I’d make
a will an’ leave my share to
you guys in case I kick off”
S3
p.65
American
Dream
Candy about his future to
George: “You seen what
they done to my dog
tonight? They says he
wasn’t no good to himself
nor nobody else. When
they can me here I wisht
somebody’d shoot me. But
they won’t do nothing like
that. I won’t have no place
to go an’ I can’t get no more
jobs.”
S3
p.66
Ageism
Notes
10
Quick information
• Napoleon Complex / Little Man Syndrome
• Mistreats his wife
• Starts fights with bigger people
CURLEY
Page
Theme
Candy about Curley:
“Curley’s like a lot of little
guys. He hates big guys.
Kind of like he’s mad ‘em
because he ain’t a big guy.
You seen little guys like
that, ain’t you? Always
scrappy?”
S2
p.29
Insecurities
/
Repression
Candy about Curley’s
relationship with his wife:
“Curley says he’s keepin’
that hand soft for his wife.”
S2
p.30
Insecurities
/
Repression
/ Marriage /
Sexism
Curley starting a fight with
Lennie: “Cone on, ya big
bastard. Get up on your
feet. No big son-of-a-bitch
is gonna laugh at me. I’ll
show ya who’s yella.”
S3
p.68
Insecurities
/
Repression
Notes
11
CURLEY
Page
Theme
Notes
12
Quick information
• Seen as promiscuous
• Lonely
• Men don’t want to talk to her
CURLEY’S WIFE
Page
Theme
First appearance of Curley’s
wife: “She had full, rouged
lips… Her fingernails were
red… red mules, on the
insteps of which were little
bouquets of red ostrich
feathers.”
S2
p.34
Repression
/
Insecurities
/
George after meeting
Curley’s wife for the first
time: “Jesus, what a tramp”.
S2
p.34
Sexism
Curley’s wife to Lennie,
Candy and Crooks: “They
left all the weak ones here.”
S4
p.85
Power
Curley’s wife to Lennie,
Candy and Crooks about
why men don’t speak to her:
“You’re all scared of each
other, that’s what. Ever’
one of you’s scared the rest
is goin’ to get something on
you.”
S4
p.85
Sexism /
Loneliness
Notes
Foreshadowing
13
CURLEY’S WIFE
Page
Theme
Curley’s wife on being
lonely: “Her face grew
angry. ‘Wha’s the matter
with me?’ she cried. ‘Ain’t I
got a right to talk to
nobody?... I don’t know why
I can’t talk to you. I ain’t
doin’ no harm to you.”
S5
p.95
Loneliness
Curley’s wife about a man
saying he could get her in
the movies: “He says he
was gonna put me in the
movies.”
“I never got that letter… I
always thought mu ol’ lady
stole it.”
S5
p.96
Objectification
/ The
American
Dream
Curley’s wife about her
husband: “I don’t like
Curley. He ain’t a nice
fella.”
S5
p.97
Marriage /
Loneliness
Curley’s wife on the
American Dream: “Coulda
been in the movies, an’ had
nice clothes – all them nice
clothes they wear.”
S5
p.97
The
American
Dream
The dog reacting to Curley’s
wife’s death: “Halfway to the
packing box where the
puppies were she caught
the dead scent of Curley’s
wife, and the hair rose along
her spine. She whimpered
and cringed to the packing
box, and jumped in among
the puppies.”
S5
p.101
Loneliness
Notes
14
CURLEY’S WIFE
Page
Curley’s wife’s expression in
death: “And the meanness
and the plannings and the
discontent and the ache for
attention were all gone from
her face.”
S5
Candy shouting at Curley’s
wife’s dead body: “’You God
damn tramp,’ he said
viciously. ‘You done it, di’nt
you? I s’pose you’re glad.
Ever’body knowed you’d
mess things up. You wasn’t
no good. You ain’t no good
now, you lousy tart.”
S5
Curley’s reaction to his
wife’s death: “’Curley came
suddenly to life. ‘I know
who done it,’, he cried.
‘That big son-of-a-bitch
done it. I know he done it.’”
S5
Theme
Notes
p.101
p.104
p.105
Sexism /
Victimisation
Does Curley’ mourn for his wife? What is his
motivation?
15
Quick information
• The prince of the ranch – what he says is law
• Highly respected
• Sensible and smart
• Easy to trust
SLIM
Page
Theme
First description of Slim:
“…he moved with a majesty
only achieved by royalty
and master craftsmen. He
was a jerkline skinner, the
prince of the ranch”.
S2
p.36
Power /
Rsepect
Slim about Lennie: “He ain’t
mean… I can tell a mean
guy a mile off.”
S3
p.46
Slim’s
judgments
and
personality
Slim has told Candy that he
should let his dog get shot:
“Candy looked helplessly at
him, for Slim’s opinions
were law.”
S3
p.50
Power
Notes
16
SLIM
Page
Theme
Notes
17
Quick information
• Black
• Segregated – has to sleep in his own barn
• Lonely
• Shows hostility to the other ranch workers
CROOKS
Page
Theme
“Crooks was a proud, aloof
man. He kept his distance
and demanded that people
kept theirs.”
S4
p.74
Repression
/
Insecurities
/ Racism /
Loneliness
Crooks to Lennie after
Lennie goes into his room:
“You got no right to come in
my room. This here’s my
room. Nobody got any right
in here but me.”
S4
p.75
Repression
/
Insecurities
/ Racism /
Loneliness
Crooks about the ranch
workers: “I ain’t wanted in
the bunk house, and you
ain’t wanted in my room…
They play cards in there, but
I can’t play because I’m
black. They say I stink.
Well, I tell you, you all of
you stink to me.”
S4
p.75
Repression
/
Insecurities
/ Racism /
Loneliness
Crooks to Lennie about his
childhood: “The white kids
come to play at our place,
‘bout ten acres, an’
sometimes I went to play
with them, and some of
them was pretty nice. My ol’
man didn’t like that. I never
knew till long later why he
didn’t like that. But I know
now.”
S4
p.77
Racism
Notes
18
CROOKS
Page
Theme
Crooks to Lennie about
being lonely: “S’pose you
didn’t have nobody. S’pose
you couldn’t go into the
bunk house and play rummy
‘cause you was black”
S4
p.81
Racism /
Loneliness
Crooks to Lennie about
being lonely: “…you got to
read books. Books ain’t no
good. A guy needs
somebody – to be near him.’
He whined, ‘A guy goes
nuts if he ain’t got nobody.”
S4
p.81
Racism /
Loneliness
Crooks’ repression vs.
projection: “It was difficult
for Crooks to conceal his
pleasure with anger.”
S4
p.81
Repression
/
Loneliness
Crooks on the American
Dream “I seen too many
guys with land in their head.
They never get none under
their hand.”
S4
p.83
The
American
Dream
Crooks wanting to join
Candy’s American Dream:
“If you… guys would want a
hand to work for nothing –
just his keep, why I’d come
an’ lend a hand.”
S4
p.84
The
American
Dream
Crooks after being put in his
place by Curley’s wife:
“Crooks had reduced
himself to nothing. There
was no personality, no ego
– nothing to arouse either
like or dislike.”
S4
p.89
Loneliness
/ Racism
Notes
19
CROOKS
Page
Theme
Crooks giving up on The
American Dream: “jus forget
it… I didn’ mean it. Jus’
foolin’. I wouldn’ want to go
no place like that.”
S4
p.91
The
American
Dream /
Loneliness
Notes
20
THE BOSS (CURLEY’S FATHER)
The Boss to George about his relationship with Lennie: “I said what stake you
got in this guy? You takin’ his pay away from him?” p.24
CARLSON
WHIT
21
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE COLOUR RED
First appearance of Curley’s
wife: “She had full, rouged lips…
Her fingernails were red… red
mules, on the insteps of which
were little bouquets of red
ostrich feathers.” S2 p.34
George about what Lennie did
in Weed: “So he reaches out to
feel this red dress an’ the girl
lets out a squark.” S3 p.45
“She wore her bright cotton
dress and the mules with the
red ostrich feathers.” S5 p.94
LENNIE IS AN ANIMAL
“His huge companion dropped
his blankets and flung himself
down and drank from the
surface of the green pool; drank
with long gulps, snorting into
the water like a horse.” S1 p. 3
“When a little bird skittered
over the dry leaves behind him,
his head jerked up and he
strained toward the sound with
eyes and ears until he saw the
bird, and then he dropped his
head and drank again.” S6 p.110
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF CANDY’S DOG
“If you was to take him out and
shoot him right in the back of
the head… why he’d never
know what hit him.” S3 p.49
“I ought to of shot that dog
myself George. I shouldn’t
ought to of let no stranger
shoot my dog.” S3 p.67
“he brought the muzzle of it
close to the back of Lennie’s
head… He pulled the trigger.” S5
p.116
22
Ranch workers
George to Lennie:
“Guys like us, that
work on ranches,
are the loneliest
guys in the world.
They got no
family. They don’t
belong no place…
They ain’t got
nothing to look
ahead to.” S1 p.15
Slim to George:
“Hardly none of
the guys ever
travel together…
Never seem to
give a damn about
nobody.” S3 p.43
Power
Curley’s wife to
Crooks: “Well
keep your place
then, Nigger. I
could get you
strung up on a
tree so easy it
ain’t even funny.”
S4 p.88
Prejudice /
Discrimination
Segregation
23
Loneliness
Repression
24
The exam is 1 hour and 30
minutes long.
SECTION A
• There will be two questions to choose from.
• You only have to answer one of these questions.
• The questions will be about characters and
themes/context.
• There will be bullet points explaining what they are
looking for. Focus on them.
• There will be no extract. You must find quotes from
the play yourself.
• It is out of 34 marks (4 marks for spelling,
punctuation and grammar)
• You should spend 45 minutes answering the
question.
SECTION B
• There is one question, which is split into part a and
part b.
• You must answer both parts of the question.
• The questions will be about characters and/or
themes/context.
• There will be bullet points explaining what they are
looking for. Focus on them.
• In part a, there will be an extract from the novel that
you must find quotes from.
• In part b, you must find quotes from the book
yourself.
• It is out of 34 marks (4 marks for spelling,
punctuation and grammar)
• You should spend 45 minutes answering both parts
a and b.
• You should spend 22.5 minutes on each part.
25
Mark Band 6
26-30 marks
6.1 Insightful exploratory interpretation of ideas/themes
6.2 Close analysis of detail to support interpretation
6.3 Evaluation of the writer’s uses of language and/or structure and/or
form and effects on readers
6.4 Insightful exploratory response to context(s)
6.5 Insightful exploration of a range of telling detail to support response
to context(s)
Mark Band 5
21-25 marks
5.1 Exploratory interpretation of ideas/themes
5.2 Analytical use of details to support interpretation
5.3 Analysis of writer’s uses of language and/or structure and/or form
and effects on readers
5.4 Exploratory response to context(s)
5.5 Exploration of a range of telling detail to support response to
context(s)
Mark Band 4
16-20 marks
4.1 Thoughtful consideration of ideas/themes
4.2 Details linked to interpretation
4.3 Appreciation/consideration of writer’s uses of language and/or form
and/or structure and effect on readers
4.4 Considered/qualified response to context(s)
4.5 Thoughtful selection and consideration of details to support
response to context(s)
Mark Band 3
11-15 marks
3.1 Sustained understanding of themes/ideas
3.2 Effective use of details to support interpretation
3.3 Explanation of effects of writer‟s uses of language and/or form
and/or structure
3.4 Sustained response to context(s)
3.5 Selection of effective details to support response to context(s)
Mark Band 2
6-10 marks
2.1 Explained response to ideas/themes
2.2 Details used to support a range of comments
2.3 Identification of effect(s) of writer‟s choices of language and/or
form and/or structure
2.4 Explained response to context(s)
2.5 Selection of a range of details to support response to context(s)
Mark Band 1
1-5 marks
1.1 Supported response to ideas/themes
1.2 Comment(s) on detail(s)
1.3 Awareness of writer making choice(s) of language and/or structure
and/or form
1.4 Supported response to context(s)
1.5 Details used to support response to context(s)
0 marks
Nothing worthy of credit
26
ASSESSMENT OF SPELLING, PUNCTUATION AND GRAMMAR
Spelling, punctuation and grammar will be assessed in every question in both
section A and section B. A maximum of 4 marks can be awarded for spelling,
punctuation and grammar on each response. The performance descriptions are
provided below.
Marks
Awarded
4
3
2
1
Performance description
Candidates spell, punctuate and use the rules of
grammar with consistent accuracy and effective control of
meaning in the context of the demands of the question.
Where required, they use a wide range of specialist terms
adeptly and with precision.
Candidates spell, punctuate and use the rules of
grammar with considerable accuracy and general control
of meaning in the context of the demands of the question.
Where required, they use a good range of specialist
terms with facility.
Candidates spell, punctuate and use the rules of
grammar with reasonable accuracy in the context of the
demands of the question. Any errors do not hinder
meaning in the response. Where required, they use a
limited range of specialist terms appropriately.
Candidates spell, punctuate and use the rules of
grammar with some accuracy in the context of the
demands of the question. Errors may occasionally
obstruct meaning. Where required, specialist terms tend
not to be used appropriately.
The marks allocated for spelling, punctuation and grammar will achieve a
total weighting of 5% of the total marks for the qualification
27
Read the following passage and then answer Part (a) and Part (b).
The bunk house was a long, rectangular building. Inside, the walls were whitewashed and the fl oor unpainted.
In three walls there were small, square windows, and in the fourth, a solid door with a wooden latch. Against
the walls were eight bunks, fi ve of them made up with blankets and the other three showing their burlap
ticking. Over each bunk there was nailed an apple box with the opening forward so that it made two shelves
for the personal belongings of the occupant of the bunk. And these shelves were loaded with little articles,
soap and talcum powder, razors and those Western magazines ranch men love to read and scoff at and secretly
believe. And there were medicines on the shelves, and little vials, combs; and from nails on the box sides, a
few neckties. Near one wall there was a black cast-iron stove, its stove-pipe going straight up through the
ceiling. In the middle of the room stood a big square table littered with playing cards, and around it were
grouped boxes for the players to sit on.
At about ten o’clock in the morning the sun threw a bright dust-laden bar through one of the side windows,
and in and out of the beam fl ies shot like rushing stars.
Part (a)
In this passage, how does Steinbeck show what the living conditions are like on the ranch? Refer closely to the
passage in your answer.
In Part (a) you should write about:
• what the living conditions are like
• how Steinbeck shows what the living conditions are like by the ways he writes.
and then Part (b)
In the rest of the novel, how does Steinbeck show what life was like for people on a ranch at that time?
(30 marks)
SPaG: (4 marks)
What you need to include
Sentence starter
Answer the question.
a. The living conditions on the ranch are…
b. Life for ranch workers at the time was…
Find a quote that supports your
answer.
a. This is clear because it says ‘[Put in your quote]’.
Explain why your quote supports
your answer.
a. This quote shows… because…
[Focus on the bullet points]
b. This is clear because it says ‘[Put in your quote]’.
b. This quote shows… because…
[Focus on the bullet points]
Pick a word/phrase out from your
quote and explain its importance
a. The word/phrase ‘[Put in your word/phrase]’ is important
because…
b. The word/phrase ‘[Put in your word/phrase]’ is important
because…
Link your quote to themes and
context
a. This quote links to [context/the theme of ____] because…
b. This quote links to [context/the theme of ____] because…
Explain what the writer’s message
and its impact on the reader
a. Steinbeck is telling us…
b. Steinbeck is telling us…
28
Indicative content
Examiners are encouraged to reward any valid
interpretations. Answers might, however, include
some of the following:
AO1
• basic conditions e.g. boxes for seats, boxes for
shelves
• cramped e.g. bunks
• simple, poor
• any of the characters can be mentioned – expected
Curley‟s wife, Candy, Crooks
AO2
• the description of the bunk house using the senses
e.g. walls whitewashed, burlap ticking
• hints at their dreams
• simplistic sentences represent the simplicity of their
lives
AO4
• hard lives e.g. moving around and living in basic
conditions
• dreams that they can’t fulfil
• anything on the depression era
29
Read the following passage and then answer part (a) and part (b).
A tall man stood in the doorway. He held a crushed Stetson hat under his arm while he combed his long, black,
damp hair straight back. Like the others he wore blue jeans and a short denim jacket. When he had fi nished
combing his hair he moved into the room, and he moved with a majesty only achieved by royalty and master
craftsmen. He was a jerkline skinner, the prince of the ranch, capable of driving ten, sixteen, even twenty mules
with a single line to the leaders. He was capable of killing a fl y on the wheeler’s butt with a bull whip without
touching the mule. There was a gravity in his manner and a quiet so profound that all talk stopped when he spoke.
His authority was so great that his word was taken on any subject, be it politics or love. This was Slim, the jerkline
skinner. His hatchet face was ageless. He might have been thirty-fi ve or fi fty. His ear heard more than was said to
him, and his slow speech had overtones not of thought, but of understanding beyond thought. His hands, large and
lean, were as delicate in their action as those of a temple dancer. He smoothed out his crushed hat, creased it in
the middle and put it on. He looked kindly at the two in the bunk house.
Part (a)
In this passage, what methods does Steinbeck use to present Slim? Refer closely to the passage in your answer.
and then Part (b)
In the novel how does Steinbeck show what life was like for men in the society in which the novel is set?
In Part (b) you should write about:
• what the men say and do
• details of what the male characters’ lives are like
• the methods Steinbeck uses to present what life was like for men.
(30 marks)
What you need to include
Sentence starter
Answer the question.
a. The living conditions on the ranch are…
b. Life for ranch workers at the time was…
Find a quote that supports your
answer.
a. This is clear because it says ‘[Put in your quote]’.
Explain why your quote
supports your answer.
a. This quote shows… because…
[Focus on the bullet points]
b. This is clear because it says ‘[Put in your quote]’.
b. This quote shows… because…
[Focus on the bullet points]
Pick a word/phrase out from
your quote and explain its
importance
a. The word/phrase ‘[Put in your word/phrase]’ is important
because…
Link your quote to themes and
context
a. This quote links to [context/the theme of ____]
because…
b. The word/phrase ‘[Put in your word/phrase]’ is important
because…
b. This quote links to [context/the theme of ____]
because…
Explain what the writer’s
message and its impact on the
reader
a. Steinbeck is telling us…
b. Steinbeck is telling us…
30
Indicative content
Examiners are encouraged to reward any valid
interpretations. Answers might, however , include some of
the following:
AO1
• how Slim treats new people e.g. George and Lennie
• gentle and kind man
• skilled – not just a hired labourer also a craftsman e.g.
capable of driving ten, sixteen, even twenty mules with a
single line to the leaders
• respected by the other men / authority
• Slim as symbol of the American Dream
AO2
• the method of introducing Slim in description before he
speaks
• positive imagery through language to describe him e.g.
prince of the ranch, majesty only achieved by royalty
• the development of his friendship with George leading to
him supporting George at the end of the novel
• used as a device to extract detail about George and
Lennie’s relationship
AO4
• single, lonely, isolated
• migrant worker – travels to find work
• skilled in ranch work
• American Dream
31
Read the following passage and then answer part (a) and part (b).
Both men glanced up, for the rectangle of sunshine in the doorway was cut off. A girl was standing there looking
in. She had full, rouged lips and wide-spaced eyes, heavily made up. Her fingernails were red. Her hair hung in
little rolled clusters, like sausages. She wore a cotton house dress and red mules, on the insteps of which were
little bouquets of red ostrich feathers. ‘I’m lookin’ for Curley,’ she said. Her voice had a nasal, brittle quality.
George looked away from her and then back. ‘He was in here a minute ago, but he went.’ ‘Oh!’ She put her
hands behind her back and leaned against the door frame so that her body was thrown forward. ‘You’re the new
fellas that just come, ain’t ya?’ ‘Yeah.’ Lennie’s eyes moved down over her body, and though she did not seem
to be looking at Lennie she bridled a little. She looked at her fingernails. ‘Sometimes Curley’s in here’, she
explained. George said brusquely, ‘Well he ain’t now.’ ‘If he ain’t, I guess I better look some place else,’ she said
playfully. Lennie watched her, fascinated. George said, ‘If I see him, I’ll pass the word you was looking for him.’
She smiled archly and twitched her body. ‘Nobody can’t blame a person for lookin’,’ she said. There were
footsteps behind her, going by. She turned her head. ‘Hi, Slim,’ she said.
Part (a)
What do you learn about Curley’s wife from the details in the passage?
and then Part (b)
How do other characters treat Curley’s wife in the novel? What does this tell you about attitudes towards
women in the society in which she lives?
In part (b) write about:
• what the other characters say and do to Curley’s wife
• the methods Steinbeck uses to show attitudes towards women.
(30 marks)
What you need to include
Sentence starter
Answer the question.
a. The living conditions on the ranch are…
b. Life for ranch workers at the time was…
Find a quote that supports your
answer.
a. This is clear because it says ‘[Put in your quote]’.
Explain why your quote
supports your answer.
a. This quote shows… because…
[Focus on the bullet points]
b. This is clear because it says ‘[Put in your quote]’.
b. This quote shows… because…
[Focus on the bullet points]
Pick a word/phrase out from
your quote and explain its
importance
a. The word/phrase ‘[Put in your word/phrase]’ is important
because…
Link your quote to themes and
context
a. This quote links to [context/the theme of ____]
because…
b. The word/phrase ‘[Put in your word/phrase]’ is important
because…
b. This quote links to [context/the theme of ____]
because…
Explain what the writer’s
message and its impact on the
reader
a. Steinbeck is telling us…
b. Steinbeck is telling us…
32
Indicative content
Examiners are encouraged to reward any valid
interpretations. Answers might, however , include
some of the following:
AO1
• she likes to ‘flirt’ with the men and is confident and
able to talk to them
• she is lonely
• she takes pride in her appearance
• how the men react to her
AO2
• description of her wearing ‘red’ connotes danger /
tart
• the language used by her
• the language used by the men when talking about
her – ‘tart’, ‘jail-bait’
• the manipulation of the reader by Steinbeck –
choice of words used by others about her e.g.
Candy’s attitude
AO4
• women’s place in society – she is the only woman
on the ranch, doesn’t have work and is ignored by
the men or seen as a ‘trouble maker’
33
Read the following passage and then answer part (a) and part (b) opposite.
‘I don’t want no fi ghts,’ said Lennie. He got up from his bunk and sat down at the table, across from George. Almost
automatically George shuffl ed the cards and laid out his solitaire hand. He used a deliberate, thoughtful, slowness. Lennie
reached for a face card and studied it, then turned it upside down and studied it. ‘Both ends the same,’ he said, ‘George,
why is it both end’s the same?’ ‘I don’t know,’ said George. ‘That’s jus’ the way they make ’em. What was Slim doin’ in the
barn when you seen him?’ ‘Slim?’ ‘Sure. You seen him in the barn, an’ he tol’ you not to pet the pups so much.’ ‘Oh yeah.
He had a can a’tar an’ a paint brush. I don’t know what for.’ ‘You sure that girl didn’t come in like she come in here today?’
‘No. She never come.’ George sighed. ‘You give me a good whore house every time,’ he said. ‘A guy can go in an’ get drunk
and get ever’thing outta his system all at once, an’ no messes. And he knows how much it’s gonna set him back. These here
jail baits is just set on the trigger of the hoosegow.’ Lennie followed his words admiringly, and moved his lips a little to keep
up. George continued, ‘You remember Andy Cushman, Lennie? Went to grammar school?’ ‘The one that his old lady used
to make hot cakes for the kids?’ Lennie asked. ‘Yeah. That’s the one. You can remember anything if there’s anything to eat
in it.’ George looked carefully at the solitaire hand. He put an ace up on his scoring rack and piled a two, three and four of
diamonds on it. ‘Andy’s in San Quentin right now on account of a tart,’ said George. Lennie drummed on the table with his fi
ngers. ‘George?’ ‘Huh?’ ‘George, how long’s it gonna be till we get that little place an’ live on the fatta the lan’ – an’
rabbits?’
Part (a)
How does the writer use details in this passage to show the relationship between George and Lennie?
and then Part (b)
What do you learn from the novel about the lives of ranch workers at this time and how are George and Lennie different?
In part (b) you should write about:
• what the lives of the ranch workers were like at this time
• the ways the lives of George and Lennie are different to the other ranch workers.
(30 marks)
What you need to include
Sentence starter
Answer the question.
a. The living conditions on the ranch are…
b. Life for ranch workers at the time was…
Find a quote that supports your
answer.
a. This is clear because it says ‘[Put in your quote]’.
Explain why your quote
supports your answer.
a. This quote shows… because…
[Focus on the bullet points]
b. This is clear because it says ‘[Put in your quote]’.
b. This quote shows… because…
[Focus on the bullet points]
Pick a word/phrase out from
your quote and explain its
importance
a. The word/phrase ‘[Put in your word/phrase]’ is important
because…
Link your quote to themes and
context
a. This quote links to [context/the theme of ____]
because…
b. The word/phrase ‘[Put in your word/phrase]’ is important
because…
b. This quote links to [context/the theme of ____]
because…
Explain what the writer’s
message and its impact on the
reader
a. Steinbeck is telling us…
b. Steinbeck is telling us…
34
Indicative content
Examiners are encouraged to reward any valid
interpretations. Answers might, however , include some
of the following:
AO1
• details of George and Lennie’s friendship e.g. Lennie
causing problems and George looking after him
• their dream, and how it gives them something to work
for
• details of how other characters react to their
friendship
AO2
• details of the different ways they speak in the
passage George anxious and questioning, Lennie in
his own world and elsewhere
• details of ennies reaction to eorge eg “moved his lips”
in the passage whilst George talks about something
women ennie cant really understand
• contrast to the rest of the men on the ranch who are
lonely and isolated, demonstrating that their life is
different
AO4
• the life of ranch hands as lonely, difficult and insecure
• the way George supports Lennie in a society which
does not support people like him eg to save him from
“the booby hatch”
35
Read the passage and then answer part (a) and part (b).
The old man was reassured. He had drawn a derogatory statement from George. He felt safe now, and he spoke
more confidently. ‘Wait’ll you see Curley’s wife.’ George cut the cards again and put out a solitaire lay, slowly and
deliberately. ‘Purty?’ he asked casually. ‘Yeah. Purty ... but ––’ George studied his cards. ‘But what?’ ‘Well – she got
the eye.’ ‘Yeah? Married two weeks and got the eye? Maybe that’s why Curley’s pants is full of ants.’ ‘I seen her give
Slim the eye. Slim’s a jerkline skinner. Hell of a nice fella. Slim don’t need to wear no high-heeled boots on a grain
team. I seen her give Slim the eye. Curley never seen it. An’ I seen her give Carlson the eye.’ George pretended a
lack of interest. ‘Looks like we was gonna have fun.’ The swamper stood up from his box. ‘Know what I think?’
George did not answer. ‘Well, I think Curley’s married ... a tart.’ ‘He ain’t the first,’ said George. ‘There’s plenty done
that.’ The old man moved toward the door, and his ancient dog lifted his head and peered about, and then got
painfully to his feet to follow. ‘I gotta be settin’ out the wash basins for the guys. The teams’ll be in before long. You
guys gonna buck barley?’ ‘Yeah.’ ‘You won’t tell Curley nothing I said?’ ‘Hell no.’ ‘Well, you look her over, mister.
You see if she ain’t a tart.’ He stepped out the door into the brilliant sunshine.
Part (a)
(a) How does the writer use details in this passage to present Candy?
and then Part (b)
(b) How do other characters treat Candy in the novel and what does this show you about the society in which he
lives?
In Part (b) write about:
• what the other characters say and do to Candy
• what society was like at this time.
(30 marks)
What you need to include
Sentence starter
Answer the question.
a. The living conditions on the ranch are…
b. Life for ranch workers at the time was…
Find a quote that supports your
answer.
a. This is clear because it says ‘[Put in your quote]’.
Explain why your quote
supports your answer.
a. This quote shows… because…
[Focus on the bullet points]
b. This is clear because it says ‘[Put in your quote]’.
b. This quote shows… because…
[Focus on the bullet points]
Pick a word/phrase out from
your quote and explain its
importance
a. The word/phrase ‘[Put in your word/phrase]’ is important
because…
Link your quote to themes and
context
a. This quote links to [context/the theme of ____]
because…
b. The word/phrase ‘[Put in your word/phrase]’ is important
because…
b. This quote links to [context/the theme of ____]
because…
Explain what the writer’s
message and its impact on the
reader
a. Steinbeck is telling us…
b. Steinbeck is telling us…
36
Indicative content
Examiners are encouraged to reward any valid
interpretations. Answers might, however , include some
of the following:
AO1
• doesn’t thin much of urleys wife
• lacks confidence and also is lonely he appears to
want to please as if that will secure him a friend
• likes to gossip and thinks he understands all the
characters
• what the other characters say and do
AO2
• judgmental language either positive or negative.
• tart clearly shows viewpoint of women
• suggestive language trying to entice George into
the gossip
• childlike as if that is what he has been lowered to!
AO4
• shows another form of discrimination in society at
the time
• segregation of society theme of loneliness and
isolation
• roles and work in society
37