‘Of Mice and Men’ – past paper questions & plans
January 2011
1 (a) How does Steinbeck make this such a shocking moment in the novel?
‘Crooks stood up from his bunk and faced her…
…horses snorted and some stamped their feet’ – p.113 (middle) – 115
(top)
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Juxtaposition of Crooks’ character – confident then chided
o Unexpected in 1930s context
Tone: short, sharp delivery + ‘Nigger’ from Curley’s Wife
o Racism – shocking injustice
Threat from Curley’s Wife
o Hierarchy – ‘toneless’: voiceless – literal / metaphorical
Lack of identity / power struggle – constant use of ‘you’
o Savage / barbaric times – survival / no room for
sentimentality
Candy – attempts in vain to support Crooks: “Nobody’d listen to
you” / “Nobody’s listen to us.”
o Ruthless society
Curley’s Wife wanting revenge on Curley – “I’m glad you bust up
Curley…”
o Women in society - hierarchy
1 (b) Explore the ways Steinbeck makes the ending of the novel so moving.
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Lennie and rabbit – ironic: reason to live / now chastising
o American Dream
George ‘never being mad’
o Migrant workers
Lennie imagining / living the dream before he dies
o American dream – not realised
George kills Lennie with Luger used to kill Candy’s dog + dramatic
tension with Curley’s imminent arrival
o Hierarchy + circular narrative – hopeless economic climate
Carlson’s bewildered response: “Now what the hell ya suppose is
eatin’ them two guys?”
o Brutal / harsh society – no room for sentimentality