VERULAM SCHOOL
ENGLISH FACULTY
ENGLISH LITERATURE GCSE
OF MICE AND MEN
EXAMPLE ANSWERS
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Section B of Literature Unit 1 will assess your knowledge of Of Mice and Men and its
social/historical context.
There will be one question on the novel (question 21 on the exam paper) which has two
parts.
You are to spend 45 minutes answering both part a) and part b).
Part a) will ask you to discuss a character or relationship in the novel as presented in the
extract.
Part b) will ask you to discuss how the issues in the extract fit in with the social/historical
context of the novel.
Your answer will be assessed for AO1 (interpretation), AO2 (analysis) and AO4
(contextualise).
According to the mark-scheme, a top band response will show:-
-an insightful understanding of the task and the text
Does your answer actually answer the exam question?
-close analysis of detail to support opinions
In part a), have you made reference to the specific examples given in the extract?
In part b), have you referred to other examples of how the theme is illustrated?
-analysis of the writer‟s use of language and its effect on the reader
Have you written in PEE paragraphs?
Do you use literary terms?
Do you comment on Steinbeck’s intentions?
Do you comment on the effect on the reader?
-an insightful exploration of the context
Have you explained how this extract illustrates issues and concerns in America in the 1930s?
Mark Band 6
26-30 marks
Mark Band 5
21-25 marks
Mark Band 4
16-20 marks
Mark Band 3
11-15 marks
Mark Band 2
6-10 marks
Mark Band 1
1-5 marks
0
Candidates demonstrate:
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)
Information is presented clearly and accurately. Writing is fluent and focused. Syntax and spelling
are used with a high degree of accuracy.
Candidates demonstrate:
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)
Structure and style are used effectively to render meaning clear. Syntax and spelling are used with
a high degree of accuracy.
Candidates demonstrate:
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)
Information is presented in a way which assists with communication of meaning. Syntax and
spelling are generally accurate.
Candidates demonstrate:
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)
Information is usually presented in a way which assists with communication of meaning. Syntax
and spelling are generally accurate.
Candidates demonstrate:
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)
Information is presented in a way which is generally clear. Syntax and spelling have some degree of
accuracy.
Candidates demonstrate:
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)
Despite lapses, information is presented in a way which is usually clear. Syntax and spelling have
some degree of accuracy, although there are likely to be frequent errors.
Nothing worthy of credit
EXAMPLE QUESTION AND ANSWERS
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.
What methods does Steinbeck use in this passage to present Candy?
How do you think Steinbeck uses the character of Candy in the novel as a whole to
convey important ideas about society at that time?
(30 marks)
Read the student answers below and, using the mark-scheme, work out what their
strengths and weaknesses are. How could they be improved?
STUDENT A
a) Steinbeck uses methods to present candy. As he says “The old man reassured … He felt safe now, and
spoke more confidently.” Steinbeck describes candy as an old man with little self-esteem, but when his
around George he easys out and feels safe. Steinbeck also uses the word confidently this could suggest
that he got a little more confident when he was with George. This shows the reader that when his
with people he doesn‟t be himself and goes shy and losses confidence.
b) Steinbeck uses the character of candy to convey important ideas about society. As candy wasn‟t really
like and was known as the old man who didn‟t be himself until George and Lennie come and wasn‟t
aloud to make his own decisions “Candy. An‟ he ain‟t no good to himself whyn‟t you shoot him.” This
shows that they were forcing candy into shooting his dog and at the end just did it and didn‟t care how
he felt. After Candy also kept to himself “Candy lay rigidly on his bed staring at the ceiling” This
quotation shows us that he kept himself to himself and was upset. These 2 quotations show the reader
that candy is an old man ans is forced into things and has no rights from the others and has to go along
with what they say. In the novel Steinbeck uses Candy to show that the way he gets treated by others
is not nice they don‟t respect him and don‟t care about what he feels. They make his decisions for him
and treat him different.
MARK: 3/30 (Band 1)
STUDENT B
PART A
In this passage, Steinbeck presents Candy as a bit of a gossiper. Steinbeck may not have wanted candy to come
across as a mean character, so he introduces him in a way where Candy is being helpful, caring and being there
for them. Even though you can see that candy‟s just trying to look out for them, he is telling them stuff that he
knew would give them a bad opinion of her. They hadn‟t met her before they assumed she was a bad girl to mix
with. The more you read, the more you understand that perhaps she‟s just misunderstood.
You can see that Candy doesn‟t want, what he‟s telling them to get out to anyone, especially Curley. We know
that Candy is old and weak, and in this passage his insecurities do shine through. „You won‟t tell Curley
nothing I said.‟ This shows that he doesn‟t have a chance against Curley, as he could get him fired instantly.
PART B
Steinbeck portrays Candy as quite a irrelivent character, as he is a double burden. Not only is he old, but he‟s
also partially disabled. As this is the time were service and labour was the only way of getting money in society
it was hard for him to work. The more we read about Candy the more we understand his importance and
relevance to other scenes in the book. [For example, the killing of his dog, and when he says to George, „I ought
to have shot that dog … shouldn‟t ought to of let no stranger shoot my dog.] We are aware of Candy‟s disability
and his age, and he knows that soon he will be useless on the ranch. Steinbeck uses Candy to convey his ideas
as he is the character that represents any worker that may feel like they‟ve got nowhere to go. He uses Candy to
show the desperation and lonliness within people at the time. Because Candy comes across as a nice caring
character, it increases the sympathy we have for him. Candy is a very interesting character, as he links up with a
lot of things in the novel, and also with a lot of things in the society at the time.
MARK: 9/30 (Band 2)
STUDENT C
Part A – Steinbeck uses the characters of Candy to represent the eyes ears of the ranch. He knows everything
and even though he lost his hand and isn‟t mush good, he‟s still allowed to work showing that the Boss has a
sense of remorse for him. In the passage he reveals a lot of opinions about Curleys Wife to George. He doesn‟t
like to cause trouble but once he starts talking he can‟t stop.
The second line of the passage tells us that Curley is more reassured now that he‟s got a “derogatory statement
from George” and now “spoke more confidently.” This presents Candy as quietly opinionated and likes to
gossip about everyone, particularly Curley‟s Wife. He brings up the subject in a very sly manner so he can make
his point. “Well – she got the eye.” Candy says this to twist stories he‟s heard and create drama on the ranch. He
later on admits that he “thinks Curley‟s married … a tart.” Steinbeck has used the method of making Curley ask
rhetorical questions to et out his own answers – “Know what I think ?” This shows Candy is desperate for
attention.
Steinbeck has also used the element of language and writing like how Candy would speak to show he‟s
uneducated. “Hell of a nice fella” and “I gotta be settin‟ in the wash basins” both show that he obviously has an
accent and is uneducated. This represents Candy as not much good or of any use especially only having one
hand. The readers will feel sorry for candy because he hasn‟t had much luck in his life and he‟s never had a
break.
In conclusion, I feel Steinbeck has used such methods like language and how he describes Candy‟s body
language to represent Candy. From this, we get an understanding that Candy is just a part of the ranch and
knows everything that is going on. All though he doesn‟t want to voice his opinions and get in trouble he is a
big gossip and very opinionated. He only started to confess to George once he knew what George was like
showing he has trust issues.
Part B – Steinbeck has created the character of Candy to represent the disadvantaged at the time of the
depression. He uses him as a device to emote sympathy from the reader and convey important ideas from the
era.
Candy is first described just as “the old man” which shows that the elderly weren‟t thought of as worthy of
attention. This conveys a very important idea at the time which was minorities like age and ones of ethnicity
weren‟t respected. He is a representative for minorities and how they were treated.
Steinbeck also uses Candy to show that no-one could get work and that he‟d been “buckin‟ barley” at the ranch
for a long time. It presents the Depression and how no-one could get a job or a home to live in and what a
hardship workers had to face during the 1930s.
In conclusion, I feel Steinbeck has used Candy to represent the minorities at the time and how much worse they
had it. John Steinbeck has obviously not only written this story as entertaining fiction but aso to enlighten
readers of the historical context “Of Mice and Men” fits into, and is based on the lives of so many migrant
workers.
MARK: 16/30 (Band 3)
STUDENT D
John Steinbeck‟s novel „Of Mice and Men‟ is set in Soledad, California along a river near the ranch. Candy is an
old man who has lost one hand and lived on the ranch for most of his life as a result of his injury.
A) In this passage Candy is presented by Steinbeck using methods such as a new confidence in candy‟s voice as
he speaks to george about Curley‟s wife negatively almost showing a sense of power with Cady and excitement
somebody is listening to him without just seeing a dumb old man. He starts by saying „well- she got the eye‟
telling us he thinks she flirts with the other workers on the ranch introducing her to the reader as a flirtatious
person. Candy later tells George “I think Curley‟s married … a atrt,” before going silent for a moment as if he
feels he‟s done something wrong and said too much.
It is after this Steinbeck refers to him as an „old man‟ when he moves “the old man moved towards the door, and
his ancient dog …” telling us he is presented as s lonely man with only a dof to be a person to rely ona dog which
is disliked by the other workers. Candy turns to George and says “you won‟t tell Curley nothing I said” as the
character remembers his position with the power and authority he has which Steinbeck uses to tell the reader
about the situation all workers would have been in at the time the novel was set.
Steinbeck shows Candy as being opinionated and not afraid to speak his mind but uses methods to show he
remembers his place at the end of the day. In the novel as a whole Steinbeck uses the character of Candy to tell
the readers ideas and messages about society in America during the 1930‟s.
B) Candy presents the loneliness theme of the novel as he4 cannot do a lot of the work dues to his injury and is
till given a bed. After he loses his dog who was his only true companion however you see the change in him. You
can tell this will happen straight after they here the gunshot “he continued to stare … he rolled slowly over and
faced the wall and lay silent,” which tells the reader e is upset. Steinbeck is telling us however, that during that
time people had to see people they loved die were separated from there families and maybe even see a loved one
killed crating sympathy in the reader for Candy and a realistic view of the horrible society America once lived
in.
Candy also presents the theme of dreams and the destruction of them when he later joins George and Lennie‟s
dream of owning their own ranch and living off the “fatta the land.” His dream is always get off the ranch and be
a free man to live the rest of his life happily. He really does believe his dream will finally come true telling
Lennie and Crooks “you God damn right we gonna do it … we got the money right now,” telling them how
happy he is. The readers learns that at the society of the time every ranch worker had this dream or something
similar but very few ever got it as we realize after the accidental death of Curley‟s Wife. Candy lames her for the
destruction of there dream showing how upset he is and how desperate he was to the live the rest of his life off
of the ranch and in good company with George and Lennie. He tells Curley‟s Wife‟s body “you done it, didn‟t
you? I s‟pose your glad. Ever‟body knows you‟d mess things up,” before he has to pull himself together, Again
Steinbeck is telling the reader the harsh reality these ranch workers had to live and deal with bringing that
thought to the reader.
Overall I feel Candy‟s role as a whole is to be the voice of reality as he is like everybody else and his dreams, lives
in a bunkhouse but teaches the reader so much about America in the 1930s through Steinbeck‟s events along
with giving the character a role in one of the key themes of the novel being loneliness. Candy is easy for the
reader to relate to and sympathise with making him a key character in Steinbeck‟s novel.
MARK: 19/30 (Band 4)
STUDENT E
A) Candy is presented by Steinbeck as being very observant in this passage as he says “I seen her give Slim the
eye … Curley never seen it,” he shows he has the ability to see things from different angles a fact that is made
possible as he is disabled. Candy is also shown to be knowledgeable but mostly judgmental as at the end of the
passage he says „well, you look over her misses, and see if she ain‟t a tart,‟ this shows that he is judgmental of
Curley‟s wife who he hasn‟t spoken to but has based his view upon look.
Steinbeck uses the character of Candy very cleverly to convey important ideas about society at that time. The
book is set in 1932 at the time of the great depression and in a time of racism. Candy is described as „stoop
shouldered‟ and „the old swamper.‟ Candy has no right hand as he lost it in an accident, this is the reason for
him being the bunk house cleaner because he is disabled and is only viewed as being able to sweep because of
his disability.
Candy also has a very old dog by his side constantly, he sees him as his „old companion‟ and his only friend.
When his dog is shot he becomes lonely, this symbolizes the great depression as Candy‟s dog was everything to
him and during the great depression people ;lost everything very quickly whether it was money or a home,
Candy himself is a symbol because he is working as cheap labour much like most of the workers. Candy‟s dog
also represents a view made by Carlson of the dog „jus suffers himself all the time‟ and being miserable all the
time. Carlson‟s view of killing it to put it out of it‟s misery is a view that was common in society at the time,
Candy is fearful of that saying as he says „what if I‟m no good no more‟ this is because Candy‟s dog sort of
represents Candy as being too old to do anything.
B) Racism was a very strong view in society at the time and is immediately shown by candy at the beginning of
the chapter two as he refers to the stable buck (Crooks) as a „nigger,‟ this shows the attitude of society towards
blacks at the time as Candy doesn‟t use Crooks‟ name but calls him a „nigger‟ as if that was his name. The term
„nigger‟ is used very commonly by all the characters throughout the novel but is first introduced by Candy and
as Candy is the oldest worker on the ranch it only seems normal for it to be passed on to the younger
generation.
After Candy‟s dog is killed, Candy learns about George and Lennie‟s dream and immediately becomes eager to
join. This represents the American Dream as a view because in America they believe that any man can make
something of themselves and in this situation the dream of owning a piece of land is that dream. In the time of
the Great Depression people relied on dreams to keep themselves going and because Candy had lost his dog, he
now believes this is a new venture and now completely revives his spirit.
Finally, Candy shows the view of women in that period. In the time of 1930‟s America, women were not valued
in society and were only seen as housewives or easy sex. Candy‟s view on Curley‟s Wife represents exactly
these views as he first says to George that „I think Curley‟s married a … tart.‟ This shows the view that Curley‟s
Wife is flirtatious and is seen as easy sex. Candy views Curley‟s Wife as inferior and is shown in Crooks‟ room
when he says „you let this guy alone, don‟t you do no messin‟ with him,‟ this shows his view the Curley‟s Wife is
a tart because when he says „messin‟ around‟ he means flirting which justifys his view on Curley‟s Wife. Candy
finally threatens to tell Curley that his wife was in Crooks‟ room, he does this because the view at the time is of
women being man‟s possession and by telling Curley it would annoy him and get her in serious trouble, this
shows the inferiority of woman in America at the time.
MARK: 24/30 (Band 5)