All Past Questions - Mark Schemes For of Mice and Men 2012 8 Edexcel IGCSE

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ENGLISH IGCSE EDEXCEL LIT PAPER 1
ALL OF MICE AND MEN QUESTIONS & MARK SCHEMES 2012-18
How are you assessed for the Modern Prose question on Paper 1?
Assessment objectives and weightings

% in
International
GCSE
AO1 Demonstrate a close knowledge and understanding of texts, 30
maintaining a critical style and presenting an informed
personal engagement.
AO2 Analyse the language, form and structure used by a writer 40
to create meanings and effects.
AO3 Explore links and connections between texts. 10
AO4 Show understanding of the relationships between texts and 20
the contexts in which they were written.
Relationship of assessment objectives to units

Unit number Assessment objective %
AO1 AO2 AO3 AO4
Component 1 13 23 10 13
Component 2/Component 3 17 17 0 7
Total for International 30% 40% 10% 20%
GCSE
NB: some figures have been rounded up or down.

All components will be available for assessment from June 2018.
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Section C: Modern Prose
Students will demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of their chosen prose text.
Students should also understand the relationship between their prose text and the context in
which it was written.
Students must:
demonstrate a close understanding of their prose text
maintain a critical style
present an informed personal engagement
identify and use relevant examples from their prose text
2 understand
Qualification
the influence of at a glance
contextual factors on the interpretation of texts.
Questions will test the following assessment objectives:
The Pearson Edexcel International GCSE in English Literature comprises one mandatory
AO1 Demonstrate a close knowledge and understanding of texts, maintaining a critical
component and a choice of an additional examined component or coursework option. It is a
style and presenting an informed personal engagement
linear qualification and all papers must be taken at the end of the course of study.
AO4 Show understanding of the relationships between texts and the contexts in which
they were written
Component overview
This component is a closed book examination and students may not take texts into the
examination.
Students must complete Component 1, plus either Component 2 or Component 3.
Component 1: Poetry and Modern Prose *Paper code 4ET1/01

Externally assessed 60% of the total
International GCSE
Availability: January and June
First assessment: June 2018
Content summary
The poetry collection from Part 3 of the Pearson Edexcel International GCSE English
Anthology.
One modern prose text from the list of set texts (page 8).
Develop skills to analyse unseen poetry.
Develop skills to analyse how language, form, structure and contextual factors can be
used to create meanings and effects.
Develop skills to maintain a critical style and informed personal response.
Develop comparison skills.
Assessment
Section A – Unseen Poetry: one 20-mark essay question exploring the meaning and
effects created in an unseen poem. The poem will be reproduced in the question paper.
Section B – Anthology Poetry: one 30-mark essay question from a choice of two,
comparing two poems from Part 3 of the Pearson Edexcel International GCSE English
Anthology.
Section C – Modern Prose: one 40-mark essay question from a choice of two on each of
the set texts.
The total number of marks available is 90.
The assessment duration is 2 hours.
Closed book: texts are not allowed in the examination. However, students will be
provided with the anthology poems in the examination.
*See Appendix 1: Codes for a description of this code and all the other codes relevant to this
qualification.
Pearson Edexcel International GCSE in English Literature – 13
Specification – Issue 2 – November 2017 © Pearson Education Limited 2017
What do you need to include to score at each level?
Level Mark A01/A02/A04
0 No rewardable material.
Level 1 1-6 Limited knowledge and understanding of the text evident in the
response
Comments about the writer’s use of
characterisation/theme/plot/setting for literary effect show
limited appreciation of the writer’s craft
Engagement with the text is basic, examples used are of limited
relevance
Where response requires consideration of two or more features,
limited balance is evident
Level 2 7-12 Some knowledge and understanding of the text evident in the
response
characterisation/theme/plot/setting for literary effect show some
appreciation of the writer’s craft
Engagement with the text is basic, examples used are of partial
relevance
partial balance is evident
Level 3 13-18 Sound knowledge and understanding of the text evident in the
response
sound appreciation of the writer’s craft
Engagement with the text is sound, examples used are clearly
relevant
a clear balance is evident
Level 4 19-24 Thorough knowledge and understanding of the text evident in
the response
sustained appreciation of the writer’s craft
Engagement with the text is sustained, examples used are fully
relevant
a thorough, balanced approach is evident
Level 5 25-30 Assured knowledge and understanding of the text evident in the
response
characterisation/theme/plot/setting for literary effect show a
perceptive appreciation of the writer’s craft
Engagement with the text is assured, examples used are fully
relevant
a perceptive, balanced approach is evident

2018 May
A: In what ways is loneliness an important theme in Of Mice and Men? You must
consider the context of the novel in your answer.

Question
Number Indicative content
6 Examiners should be alert to a variety of responses and should
Of Mice reward points that are clearly based on evidence from the text. This is
and Men not an exhaustive list but the following points may be made:

(AO1)
there are many lonely characters on the ranch, such as: Curley’s wife,
George, Candy, Crooks and other ranch hands. Some of these characters
are lonely due to the nature of their job as itinerant farm labourers;
some are lonely as they have lost everyone who is close to them and
others are lonely due to circumstances they find themselves in, such as
Curley’s wife
George can be considered a lonely character, even though he has Lennie
as a companion. He often gets frustrated with having to care for Lennie
and this also prevents him from living a normal life; he joins with the
other men when they go to ‘old Susy’s place’
Candy is both disabled and old, which prevents him from working on the
land; he is left alone to do the ‘swamping’ and only has his dog for
company. The shooting of Candy’s dog takes away his only companion
loneliness has made characters like Crooks bitter and cynical; Crooks’
segregation, owing to the colour of his skin, has made him suspect
anyone who shows him the hand of friendship, such as when Lennie
visits his room
Curley’s wife is the only female mentioned on the ranch and her position
on the ranch is simply as one of Curley’s possessions as she is not given
a name. Curley’s wife’s loneliness leads her to seek company from the
ranch hands which ultimately leads to her death.

(AO4)
the ranch is located near Soledad, which means ‘loneliness’ in Spanish
characters are often lonely due to discrimination: racism, sexism and
disability; there is no social care for the old and vulnerable members
of society
the nature of the life of itinerant ranch-hands leads them to have no
stability, home, possessions, friendships or relationships due to their
constantly moving in search of work. There was a high level of
unemployment during the Great Depression
even those higher in the social structure on the ranch suffer from
loneliness: Curley is often looking for his wife and the men on the
ranch keep their distance from him. Slim does not suggest that he is
lonely, but goes with the others into town on a Saturday night.


B: Crooks is a cruel and aloof character.’ Explore the character of Crooks in this

novel. You must consider the context of the novel in your answer.

Question
Number Indicative content
7 Examiners should be alert to a variety of responses and should
Of Mice reward points that are clearly based on evidence from the text. This
and Men is not an exhaustive list but the following points may be made:

(AO1)
Crooks is the lonely black stable buck. He is one of the few permanent
workers and is the only black person on the ranch. His job is to tend
the mules and horses. He injured his back in an accident and suffers
constant pain
Crooks lives alone, isolated from the other men in the bunkhouse
because of his colour. Apart from games of horseshoes on Sundays,
he does not socialise with anyone and is very lonely. When Lennie
visits his room he says: 'A guy goes nuts if he ain’t got nobody… I tell
ya a guy gets too lonely an' he gets sick'
he is referred to as 'nigger' by the other men. The only character who
does not call him ‘nigger’ is Slim. Candy tells George and Lennie a
story about how the boss ‘gives him hell when he’s mad’
Crooks has a room near the stables where he keeps his few treasured
possessions. These include a number of books, among which is a copy
of the California civil code. This suggests that he is concerned about
his rights. This evidence shows that he is intelligent and educated,
even if self-taught
Crooks has become proud and aloof as a result of his situation. He
informs Lennie that he is not descended from slaves. He seems almost
to enjoy taunting Lennie by cruelly saying that George will not come
back from the town
Crooks is initially sceptical of the dream of Lennie and George but
eventually warms to it as a possibility. He promises to work for nothing
on the little place they hope to get, so long as he can live out the rest
of his life there and no longer feel like such an outsider.
Crooks is quickly and sharply put in his place by Curley's wife who
threatens him with lynching: 'I could get you strung up on a tree so
easy it ain't even funny'. Crooks is crushed by this: 'Crooks had
reduced himself to nothing…"Yes, ma'am," and his voice was toneless’

(AO4)
Crooks symbolises the marginalisation of the black community;
prejudice and racism was prevalent despite slavery being abolished
over fifty years earlier
Curley’s wife treats Crooks in a threatening manner: ‘I could get you
strung up on a tree so easy it ain’t even funny’ suggesting that she
can get him lynched without question. The threat is real because of
the feelings about race including the activities of the Ku Klux Klan
the Great Depression impacts on the lives of all itinerant ranch hands
in the 1930s including Crooks.


2017 January
A: ‘Curley’s wife and Lennie are victims in Of Mice and Men.’ Explain how far you
agree with this statement.
Of Mice and Men – John Steinbeck
Question Indicative content
Number
11(a) Examiners should be alert to a variety of responses and should
reward points which are clearly based on evidence from the
text. This is not an exhaustive list but the following points are
likely to be made:
Lennie is a victim of his own situation. His learning difficulties
make him vulnerable as an adult in the cruel environment of
the Great Depression. He is protected from harm by his long-
suffering but extremely loyal friend, George Milton. Lennie does
not know his own strength and inadvertently crushes the
mouse he pets
George tells Slim the circumstances by which the two men had
to leave Weed. It appears that in this situation Lennie was a
victim of misunderstanding as the young woman whose dress
he touched was frightened by him and exaggerated the
encounter into an accusation of attempted rape. George
ensured that they both escaped Weed unhurt but the incident
foreshadows the end of the novel when Lennie faces becoming
a victim of the vigilante justice meted out by Curley and his
posse
Lennie is a victim of ignorance as most of the ranch hands do
not understand his condition. George has to lie to the boss that
Lennie was 'kicked by a horse' to make his problems more
acceptable and also says that he is his cousin. When he is
attacked by Curley in the bunkhouse, he is a victim of bullying
and physical violence. Even though Lennie has the physical
strength to overcome Curley, he waits for George's say-so to
fight back. He turns to George: 'Make 'um stop George'. Lennie
is a victim at the end of the novel when George is forced to
shoot him in order to spare him from the cruelty of Curley
Curley's wife is a victim of Curley's possessiveness and
brutality. Her lonely life on the ranch as the only woman is
peppered with a few snatched conversations and moments of
companionship. Her freedom is compromised by the jealous
and pugnacious Curley and his glove ‘fulla vaseline'. She says:
'I don't like Curley. He ain't a nice fella'
Curley's wife is a victim of attitudes to women in 1930s
America. Steinbeck's portrayal of her without a name of her
own compounds this status and she is described by Candy as a
'tart'. She is humiliated by Curley when he openly joins the
other men at the brothel in town
Curley's wife is also a victim of Lennie’s not knowing his great
strength and also his fear when he snaps her neck in an
attempt to silence her: ‘he shook her; and her body flopped
like a fish’. Even in death she is a victim of Curley's cold-
heartedness when he ignores her broken body in favour of
pursuing a vendetta against Lennie.
44

B: How does Steinbeck present different settings in this novel?
Number
11(b) Examiners should be alert to a variety of responses and should
reward points which are clearly based on evidence from the text.
This is not an exhaustive list but the following points are likely to
be made:
the novel opens with a natural setting as Lennie and George 'jungle
down' in the open clearing with the dramatic background of the
California landscape behind them. The relationship between man and
nature is reflected in the smooth sycamore bough that has been worn
by years of itinerant men stopping to sit there. Lennie rushes to gulp
water from the stream but is prevented from doing so by George who
can see that it is stagnant. As George has advised in case of any
trouble, it is to this place that Lennie must return after he has killed
Curley's wife. It is a place of safety and also, paradoxically, threat
the bunkhouse is a significant setting, being the only home the itinerant
workers know. Furnishing is sparse, with eight bunks and recycled
apple boxes to store their few possessions: each box ‘made two shelves
for the personal belongings of the occupant of the bunk’. The
bunkhouse gives the reader an insight into the monotonous daily lives
of the ranch hands with their ‘Western magazines’ and the table for
playing cards
significant events take place in the barn. It is where Lennie kills the
puppy and, subsequently, Curley’s wife against a background of the
restless sounds of horses and the clink of the horseshoe game outside
attached to the barn is the harness room where Crooks lives,
segregated from the other men because he is black; even at the ranch
hands’ level of deprivation they will not accept him in the bunkhouse.
Despite his loneliness Crooks values his privacy and knows his rights,
owning ‘a mauled copy of the California civil code for 1905’
the relationship between man and nature, as well as his alienation from
it, is significant because of the effects of the historical setting, the
Great Depression. Itinerant workers are not close to nature as they are
part of a man-made production line. George and Lennie dream of
owning 'a few acres', along with Candy and Crooks
the natural setting frames the novel: 'the golden foothill slopes curve
up to the strong and rocky Gabilan mountains'. The setting is used to
foreshadow events later in the novel as the narrative returns at the end
to the very same place. Whilst at the beginning Steinbeck describes the
scene: 'A water snake slipped along the pool' unharmed, the heron's
killing of the water snake at the end of the novel mirrors Lennie's
demise and the tragic loss of the men’s shared dream
Steinbeck's description has a biblical tone and the symbolism presented
in the natural setting he describes is significant. The snake sliding
through the water reflects the temptation of Eve by the devil. The
snake and heron represent the predatory nature of the natural world
and the cruelty of life.
46

2017 May
A: How is Candy, the old swamper, presented in this novel?

Number
likely to be made:
Candy is the first of the ranch hands to greet George and Lennie
on their arrival at the ranch. He is described as ‘a tall stoop-
shouldered old man’. He is dressed in the denim clothing worn
by the workers. His right hand is just a stump as he suffered a
farming injury in the past. His duties now are menial – he is the
‘swamper’, which largely involves sweeping and cleaning
Candy has an old sheepdog that has been with him since it was
a pup. The dog is his only friend. Candy speaks proudly of the
dog’s prowess in younger days: ‘he was the best damn
sheepdog I ever seen’. When Carlson pushes for the dog to be
put down, Candy protests: ‘Well - hell! I had him so long’.
Eventually Carlson leads the dog outside to shoot him in the
back of the head. When the shot rings out, Candy turns
miserably to face the wall
he tells George that he should have shot his dog himself. His
relationship with the dog mirrors that of George and Lennie,
foreshadowing George’s decision to end Lennie’s life at the end
of the novel
after overhearing George and Lennie talking about their dream

of owning their own place, Candy offers his compensation
money towards the ‘little place’ that George describes. He
convinces them by offering to work and pledges: ‘I’d make a will
an’ leave my share to you guys’. Candy becomes part of the
dream and his money appears to put it within their reach
Candy joins Lennie and Crooks in Crooks’ room on the evening

when the other men go into town. Candy talks about the
dream and Crooks offers to join them and work for free. When
Curley’s wife enters the room she says: ‘They left all the weak
ones here’, ironically including herself in this statement. Candy
stands up to her: ‘You got no call foolin’ aroun’ with other
guys, causin’ trouble’
it is Candy who discovers the body of Curley’s wife in the barn

and raises the alarm with George. He blames Curley’s wife for
the trouble she has caused, reacting angrily to her dead body
Candy holds out a brief hope that perhaps he and George will
be able to fulfil the dream themselves. George explains that
without Lennie there will be no dream, thereby crushing the old
man’s hopes completely. Candy faces a bleak future of
homelessness and poverty as the novel ends.
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B: Explore the importance of respect in Of Mice and Men.
Number
11(b) Examiners should be alert to a variety of responses and should reward
points which are clearly based on evidence from the text. This is not
an exhaustive list but the following points are likely to be made:
respect for the ranch boss arises from necessity rather than any natural
deference or admiration. With jobs in short supply during the Great
Depression, Lennie and George must respect the ranch owner as must all
the itinerant workers who depend on casual labour for their livelihoods.
George is very polite in his initial meeting with the ranch boss, defending
himself and Lennie for their lateness
Slim attracts the most respect with Steinbeck describing him as ‘Prince of
the ranch’. He is a skilled worker, the ‘jerkline skinner’ and all the men look
up to him and accept his word. George respects him enough to confide in
him about what happened when he and Lennie left Weed and it is he who
ultimately seals the fate of Candy’s dog. He is described as follows: ‘There
was a gravity in his manner and a quiet so profound that all talk stopped
when he spoke’
Curley is the son of the ranch boss and should therefore attract respect
from the men. This does not happen as Curley rather attracts gossip and
fear in the rest of the men. He is short and pugnacious, earning the
comment from Candy that he is ‘handy’ as a boxer. Curley’s power lies in
his ability to get the other men ‘cann’d’ should they cross him rather than
any real respect. When Curley starts on Lennie, he initially hurts him, but
when George gives Lennie permission to fight back, he becomes a ‘flopping
fish’ in the face of Lennie’s brute strength
the ranch workers respect Lennie for his strength and skill at ‘bucking
barley’. George also tells the boss of Lennie’s ability to drive a cultivator. He
points out that Lennie ‘ain’t bright’ but is ‘as strong as a bull’ and a good
worker
Lennie respects George and follows his direction with only a little
resistance. It is vital that Lennie respects George for his own safety.
George repeatedly saves Lennie from himself, for example when he warns
him not to drink the stagnant water at the pool and tells him to stay away
from Curley. It is when Lennie fails to follow George’s advice that he gets
into real trouble. George warns him that Curley’s wife is trouble and that
Lennie must stay away from her. He initially obeys this advice, but, in the
barn while the men are playing horseshoes, forgets George’s words and
engages in the ultimately fatal exchange with the lonely woman
Crooks is not respected by the men on the ranch because he is black.
Nevertheless, respect is very important to him. He is defensive and
protective of his room and belongings. He has a battered copy of the
‘California civil code for 1905’ on his shelf, which suggests that he knows
his rights
Curley’s wife is not even respected enough for her name to be used; she
exists only as the possession of her husband. Curley shows no respect for
her, visiting the brothel in town with the other men and making no attempt
to conceal it from her.
47

2017 January
A: Explore Steinbeck’s presentation of Curley’s wife and one other character who
does not fit
Of Mice and inMen
on the ranch.
– John Steinbeck

Number
be made:
Curley’s wife does not fit in on the ranch for many reasons. First
and foremost, she is the only woman. Her lack of importance and
low status are emphasised by Steinbeck in the fact that she is given
no name. She desperately seeks companionship under the guise of
‘looking for Curley’ but does not fit in with the men in the
bunkhouse or even the outcasts who gather in Crooks’ room. Here
she cruelly uses what power she has to threaten the only person on
the ranch of lower status than herself – Crooks: ‘I could get you
strung up on a tree so easy it ain’t even funny’
Curley’s wife is left out of private conversations. She is married to

the inconsiderate Curley who openly continues to visit a brothel in
town. She describes him as ‘not a nice fella’. When telling Lennie of
her dreams of being in the movies, she demonstrates her outsider
status even more as her dreams are very different from those of
the others on the ranch. Her death incites not grief and pity, but
rather anger on the part of Curley
Lennie is a character who does not fit in on the ranch because of his
learning difficulties and childlike ways. George has to do the talking
for him: ‘An’ you won’t let the big guy talk, is that it?’ Lennie’s
almost superhuman ability to buck barley is another feature that
prevents him from fitting in and he is unable to join in the card
games and conversations of the other men, preferring to spend his
time in the barn petting his pup
it can be argued that George is a character who does not fit in on the
ranch as he travels with another guy, Lennie, and has a dream,
unlike many of the other men. He longs for a different future: ‘An’
we’d keep a few pigeons to go flyin’ around the win’mill like they
done when I was a kid’
Crooks does not fit in on the ranch as he is black and is referred to

as ‘nigger’ by the other men; the racial prejudice that prevailed at
the time the novel was written means that he is effectively cast out
by the other men. Given the job of ‘stable buck’, Crooks must live
alone in a room within the barn. He is mocked and badly treated by
others, including Curley’s wife and the ranch boss who ‘gives him
hell’. He is described as having ‘the terrible protective dignity of the
negro’
Candy does not fit in on the ranch as he is old and disabled after a
farming accident resulted in the loss of his hand. He has the role of
‘swamper’ on the ranch and is painfully aware that when he
becomes of no use, he will be ‘canned’ with nowhere to go and no
means of supporting himself: ‘I ain’t got no relatives or nothing’.

B: Discuss the theme of friendship in Of Mice and Men.
Number
be made:
friendship is a central theme in the novel, with the most
significant being that shared by Lennie and George. The reader
learns that when Lennie and George were younger, George got
Lennie to jump into the Sacramento River, knowing that he could
not swim. After Lennie almost drowned, George felt bad and
became Lennie’s protector and friend. When Lennie’s guardian,
Aunt Clara, died, George became Lennie’s carer
George and Lennie’s unusual friendship is evident from the start of
the novel when they camp down by the river for the night. George
tries to stop Lennie making himself ill by gulping down stagnant
water: ‘You never oughta drink water when it ain’t runnin’,
Lennie’. Before they go to sleep he gets frustrated by Lennie’s
request for ketchup with his beans, after which Lennie threatens
to find a cave to live in. George and Lennie talk about their dream
and the importance of friendship: ‘With us it ain’t like that. We got
a future. We got somebody to talk to that gives a damn about us’
at the ranch, Lennie and George’s friendship is evident as
George speaks for Lennie when they meet the boss. Unable to
believe in genuine friendship, the boss suggests that George has
ulterior motives for travelling with Lennie such as taking his
pay: ‘Well I never seen one guy take so much trouble for
another guy. I just like to know what your interest is’
George continues to protect Lennie, but his final act of friendship
comes when he shoots Lennie in the back of the head after Lennie
accidentally killed Curley’s wife. He realises that Lennie would be
unhappy locked up and that if Curley and his posse catch him, his
end will be painful and violent. He ensures that Lennie is thinking
about the dream as he dies
Candy has had his dog since he was a ‘pup’, but now it is ‘a drag-
footed sheepdog, gray of muzzle, and with pale, blind old eyes’.
Candy’s friendship with his dog is clear as Steinbeck presents his
pride in and love for his old companion: ‘hell of a good sheepdog’.
But the dog is so old that Carlson presses him to have it shot.
This foreshadows what George must do to Lennie at the end of
the novel
George forges a new friendship with Slim. He confides in him
about how he and Lennie were when they were younger and how
he persuaded Lennie to jump in the river. He trusts him enough
to recount the events in Weed when Lennie grabbed the girl’s
dress and the two were run out of town. After the death of
Curley’s wife, Slim’s advice is that of a friend: ‘An s’pose they lock
him up an’ strap him down and put him in a cage. That ain’t no
good, George’.

PMT
2016 May
A: Explore how Steinbeck presents the character of Slim in the novel


Number
reward points that are clearly based on evidence from the text.
This is not an exhaustive list but the following points are likely
to be made:
Slim is the highly-skilled jerkline skinner on the ranch. He is well

respected by the other men and is the 'prince of the ranch’.
Steinbeck describes him as 'god-like', demonstrating his calm
and collected nature. He stands apart from the other men
because of his status. When Curley suspects that his wife is in
the barn with Slim, Carlson warns: 'he'd better not tangle with
Slim’
other characters look to Slim for help and advice. When Carlson
is talking about shooting Candy's dog, it is Slim's tacit agreement
that seals the animal's fate. Slim's own dog, Lulu, has had
puppies but Slim is not drawn into sentimentality and drowns
some of the puppies that he does not believe can be fed. He kills
them so there is enough food for the others, demonstrating his
practical nature
Slim is a quiet, thoughtful man and the only one who

understands the special nature of George and Lennie's
relationship. It is in Slim that George confides about Lennie's
actions in Weed that got them run out of town. He helps to
ensure that George and Lennie don't get 'cann'd' after Lennie
crushes Curley's hand. He becomes a friend to George and is
there to comfort him at the tragic ending of the novel
Slim has a generous spirit, giving one of his pups to Lennie. He is

also sensitive when Candy's dog is shot, telling Carlson to take a
shovel so that the animal can be promptly buried. Slim is very
popular, playing horseshoes with the others and being spoken of
with great respect by the men
Slim encourages George to do the right thing by Lennie, telling

him that it wouldn't be good if Lennie was locked in a cage like
an animal. He takes care of George after the shooting of Lennie,
reassuring him that he did the only thing he could to spare his
friend suffering
Slim is the natural leader of the ranch: 'there was a gravity in his
manner and a quiet so profound that all talk stopped when he
spoke.' He has a slightly mysterious quality, having no
backstory.

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PMT
B: In what ways is poverty important in this novel?


Number
reward points that are clearly based on evidence from the text.
This is not an exhaustive list but the following points are likely
to be made:
set in The Great Depression of the 1930s, poverty is a central

feature of the novel's concerns. Poverty can be seen in the way
George and Lennie, like many other itinerant workers at the
time, live moving from place to place, essentially homeless.
George and Lennie carry their few possessions in bindles
containing a bedding roll and perhaps a few cans of beans
among the meagre contents
Lennie wants ketchup with his beans when he and George camp
out at the clearing down by the river. This is perhaps showing
that they have few comforts. George becomes frustrated by
Lennie's request: 'Whatever you want is what we don't have'
the bunkhouse at the ranch reflects the poverty of The Great

Depression. The mattresses on the beds consist of straw stuffed
inside burlap and the shelves are made from old apple boxes.
The few possessions of the bunkhouse inhabitants are described
by Steinbeck in detail, reflecting the sparse and basic nature of
life on the ranch for the working men
such was the fear of destitution and homelessness that many of

the characters worry constantly about being 'cann'd'. To be
sacked would mean to lose not only your job, but access to food
and shelter as well. Candy's injury to his hand means that the
only jobs he can do on the ranch are very menial and he fears he
will eventually be kicked out to fend for himself, if he becomes
considered as useless. Candy sees a future of serious poverty if
his employers decide he has to go
when Curley's hand is broken by Lennie, George asks Slim if

Curley's father will 'can' them. Slim realises the seriousness of
this as they would become destitute and ensures that Curley will
say he caught his hand in a machine in order to save his pride
poverty leads to a lack of hope and choice. George describes the

common cycle of many itinerant men who work hard on the
fields for low pay, then blow their wages in the local town at bars
and 'cat houses'. This means that they never improve their lot,
saving nothing for a deposit (a 'stake') on a place to live.
Steinbeck shows the grinding meanness brought about by the
effects of poverty.
44

2016 January
A: Who, in your opinion, suffers the most in this novel? Explain your reasons.
Number
likely to be made:
it can be argued that Lennie suffers the most as he has to deal

with his disability and try to control his incredible strength. He
does not understand the animosity of Curley and the scene
where Curley attacks him painfully reveals his distress and lack
of comprehension. He suffers greatly when he accidentally kills
first the puppy and then Curley's wife, berating himself for what
he has done
at the end of the novel's action, Lennie is killed. Ironically,

George's decision to shoot him in the back of the head is to
spare Lennie's suffering at the hands of a furious Curley and his
posse
Crooks could be considered the character who suffers most. He is

physically disabled by a crooked back and lives in constant pain.
He also suffers from prejudice because he is black, referred to by
the other men as the 'nigger'. He is the lowest of the low in the
ranch hierarchy. Even the lowly Curley's wife is able to put him
down with her threat that she could get him 'strung up so easy'
Curley's wife could be considered the character who suffers most

as she is isolated and overlooked, so insignificant on the ranch
that she is given no name. She is lonely and isolated, unhappy in
her marriage to Curley who she states 'ain't nice'. She tries hard
to gain attention and companionship from the men on the ranch,
but they consider her to be nothing but trouble, 'jailbait' in fact.
She suffers the ultimate penalty of death, when her neck is
broken by Lennie in the barn
George suffers through the burden of Lennie's condition. He

must always think about future possible outcomes of Lennie's
behaviour and look over his shoulder while considering their next
move. He cannot experience the simple pleasures enjoyed by
other men because of his responsibility for Lennie. He cannot
blow all his wages in the town at the bar and ‘cat house’. George
suffers at the end of the novel because he has to sacrifice his
best friend for his own good. He faces the loss of his friend and
his dream, which will lead to inevitable loneliness through this
act, but it is the only option remaining to him
Candy can be described as suffering: he is the 'old swamper' who

has lost a hand in a farming accident and can now only sweep up
and do the most menial jobs on the ranch. Candy suffers greatly
when his old dog is shot by Carlson because it is too old and 'no
45

good.' He latches onto the dream of Lennie and George, pledging
money to help make it happen. He lives in terror of being
'cann'd' and faces a bleak future when the dream is shattered by
the death of Curley's wife.
NB: Candidates may write about more than one character and
compare: this is acceptable.
B: How does Steinbeck present authority in this novel?

Number
likely to be made:
authority is presented in a number of ways. Lennie largely does

as George says as he exerts a fatherly authority over Lennie. For
example he chastises Lennie for keeping a dead mouse in his
pocket to pet: 'that mouse ain't fresh.' He keeps Lennie out of
trouble by carrying his work slip from Murray and Ready's and
trying to ensure that Lennie keeps quiet when they meet the
boss of the ranch for the first time
authority can be seen in the hierarchy of the ranch. The boss is

very much in control of the men's future as there is a surplus in
the workforce and he can afford to get rid of anyone he does not
like. When George and Lennie arrive and meet him before
starting work, the boss is abrupt with them and admonishes
them for being late. His whole demeanour is authoritative and he
interrogates them about where they have been and what their
relationship is
as the boss's son, Curley is a figure of authority who throws his

weight around at the ranch. He is short in stature which makes
him more aggressive and punchy when he is exerting his
authority. He wears heels to add to his height and is a boxer.
Candy describes him as 'handy' but his authority is not
accompanied by respect as the other men mock him for not
being able to keep track of the whereabouts of his wife
Slim is the 'prince of the ranch', enjoying an easy authority over

the men who work for him. As the jerkline skinner, a very skilled
job on the ranch, Slim's authority has deep and firm roots. He is
respected by everyone and even Curley will not mess with him.
Slim's authority extends beyond the working life of the ranch: he
is called upon to adjudicate in the bunkhouse over the fate of
Candy's old dog, which Carlson wants to shoot. His tacit
agreement that it should be put down is accepted by everyone,
including Candy
Curley's wife is very low46

in the hierarchy. She is unable to
prevent her husband from going up to town to the ‘cat house’
with the other men, but she does have authority over one
person: Crooks. As a black man, Crooks is the lowest person on
the ranch and is cowed by her threat to have him lynched should
she so choose. He knows that she has the authority to make this
happen because of the inequality and prejudice that prevailed at
the time.

2015 May
A: How does Steinbeck present the character of Curley?


Number
likely to be made:
Curley is the son of the ranch boss and therefore carries high
status. He is described as a ‘thin young man with a brown face,
with brown eyes and a head of tightly curled hair’. Curley is
described by Candy as a boxer – ‘handy with his fists’
Curley is immediately hostile to Lennie and George upon first

meeting them. Steinbeck describes him as cold when looking at
the men and describes how his ‘hands closed into fists’. He is
particularly pugnacious in his approach to Lennie, trying to
demand that Lennie speaks to him directly rather than letting
George do the talking
Candy explains to the men that Curley is ‘like a lot of little guys,
hates big guys’. He warns them of Curley’s tendency to pick
fights and also points out the glove full of vaseline that Curley
wears to keep his hand soft for his wife. Curley demonstrates
jealousy when it comes to his wife talking to any of the other
ranch hands and tries to pick fights, even with Slim. Although he
is the boss’s son, Slim enjoys higher status on the ranch due to
his calm demeanour and skill at his job. This makes Curley
particularly jealous of Slim
Curley turns on Lennie after getting angry when Carlson calls

him a coward. Lennie’s smile angers Curley, who starts beating
and punching Lennie. Curley’s aggression is evident in this part
of the novel but when George tells Lennie to ‘Get him’, Curley’s
hand is broken as Lennie finally defends himself. Curley’s pride
will not allow him to tell the truth of what has happened to him
and Slim successfully convinces him to say that he got his hand
caught in a machine
Curley is an inconsiderate husband, visiting the brothel in town

even though he is married. His wife describes him as ‘not a nice
fella’ and reveals that she met him the night she was
disappointed by a broken promise from a guy who said she could
be in pictures. Curley seems to view his wife as a possession
Curley’s response to the death of his wife reflects his lack of care
for her. He is far more interested in lynching Lennie than
suffering any kind of upset at the loss of his wife. It is suggested
by Slim that he should stay with his wife but he is determined to
lead the posse to catch Lennie
Curley has no empathy or understanding. He is the first to come

upon the body of Lennie and notes that he has been shot in the
back of the head. He is confused by George and Slim’s sadness
at Lennie’s death.
45
B:
Of Explore
Mice andthe theme
Men of death
– John Steinbeck
Number
likely to be made:
the deaths in the novel rise in terms of significance as the story
progresses, from mice at the beginning of the novel to Lennie by
the end
Lennie’s accidental killing of the mice he pets could be
considered to be a foreshadowing of the later tragedy when he
kills Curley’s wife by reason of his incredible strength. In the first
chapter, his exchange with George: ‘That mouse ain’t fresh’,
reflects the reality of physical death. Lennie pets the mice so
hard that he crushes their skulls. The fragility and transience of
life are emphasised in these small killings
Candy’s dog has great significance in the novel because it is his
only companion and has been with him for many years. He is
proud of the dog, describing its prowess as a sheep dog in its
younger years. Carlson pushes for the dog to be put down
because of its age and the fact that it smells bad in the bunk
house. Candy tries to resist this but even Slim is in favour of the
dog being put out of its misery
the death of Candy’s dog represents a significant death in the
novel. In its symbolic suggestion that, when a living thing is of
no use, it should die. This provides a stark reality about the right
to live and who has the power to decide if someone or something
should die. Candy’s remark, ‘I should have shot that dog myself’,
reverberates at the end of the novel when George has to kill his
best friend to prevent his suffering
Lennie is delighted to receive one of Slim’s puppies and spends
time playing with it in the barn, but his unusual strength once
again gets the better of him as he accidentally kills the animal
the death of Curley’s wife is violent and sudden. Lennie is again
unaware of his own strength and seems unsure whether or not
she is dead, continuing to talk to her after he has accidentally
snapped her neck
in terms of deaths, the creatures that die in the novel grow in
significance until the death of Lennie at the end. The death of a
mouse moves up to that of an old dog, to the puppy to Curley’s
wife to Lennie himself. Animals can be seen as a continuum of
suffering in the novel. Lennie’s death forms the novel’s climax
and is a moving and dramatic moment as George first comforts
him with talk of the rabbits before shooting him in the back of
the head
at the very end of the novel, the water snake is killed by a heron
showing the circle of life and confirming the novel’s symmetrical
structure. This cruel but natural event at the end of the novel is
significant in its reflection of life and death.
47

2015 January
A: In what ways does Steinbeck lead the reader to sympathise with Crooks and one
other character in the novel?
Number
likely to be made:
Crooks is the stable buck. His main appearance in the novel is
when Lennie and Candy talk to him in his room. He has a
crooked back - hence his name - and suffers prejudice because
of his colour. Because he is black, he is unable to share the
bunk house with the other men, or socialise with them, so the
reader sympathises with his crushing loneliness
Crooks is responsible for looking after the mules and horses on

the ranch. Candy points him out to George and Lennie on their
arrival, noting that he is regularly the focus of the boss’s anger.
He is referred to as ‘nigger’ by the men, showing that racism is
taken for granted – the men are not intentionally insulting him
but they do not consider calling him anything else, reflecting the
social situation at the time Steinbeck was writing
Crooks is extremely lonely, as can be seen when Lennie enters

his room. He initially tries to turn Lennie away but when Lennie
persists, he seems happy to have a visitor to his room. He voices
his frustrating loneliness: ‘S’pose you didn’t have nobody. S’pose
you couldn’t go in the bunk house and play rummy ’cause you
were black…I tell ya a guy gets too lonely an’ he gets sick’. He is
an intelligent man; amongst his possessions is a copy of the
California Civil Code which suggests he does care about his rights
Curley’s wife’s threat that she could easily have him lynched
draws sympathy from the reader. In the ranch hierarchy, Crooks
is the only character whom she can intimidate and who is lower
than she is. He has to back down in the face of her cruelty. His
physical problems with his back also incite sympathy – he has a
bottle of liniment that he uses to try to alleviate the pain
Crooks is interested in Lennie and George’s plan to get their own
place and holds out a slight hope that he could also be part of it.
He is shocked by the force of Lennie’s reaction when he suggests
that George might not return from town and backs down
immediately. His taunting of Lennie may reflect the bitterness of
a life of loneliness. He has seen many men arrive and leave at
the ranch and is understandably cynical about the dream as
many have talked about such a plan but no one has ever
achieved it. Towards the end of the novel he can be seen
successfully playing horseshoes with the other men, the only
social situation he is allowed to participate in
candidates may choose a number of characters to write about

alongside Crooks who invite sympathy from the reader: Curley’s
wife, Lennie, George and Candy are likely choices for
consideration.
Believe in You, Believe In Learning: Tuition

48 | Revision | Study Skills | Mentoring |
4ET0_01
1501
B: How is power presented in this novel?

Number
11(b) Examiners should be alert to a variety of responses and
should reward points which are clearly based on evidence
from the text. This is not an exhaustive list but the following
points are likely to be made:
Lennie’s physical power as a large man is emphasised
throughout the novel. He is strong and this power makes him
a good worker and formidable bucker of barley. There are two
sides to Lennie’s power, the positive side that enables him to
be ‘strong as a bull’ in his work and the dangerous side that
leads to his accidental destruction of first the mice, then the
puppy and finally, most seriously, Curley’s wife
Slim demonstrates a ‘godlike’ power, sustaining his influence

over the men through his calm demeanour and significant
presence. He elicits respect and is contrasted with Curley who
is not respected by the men but throws his weight around and
uses his fists to intimidate them. Curley has a ‘Napoleon
complex’, it can be argued, needing to exert more control and
abuse his power to compensate for his short stature
Curley’s wife really shows power only over Crooks. She is able
to strike fear into him by her mention of the ease with which
she could have him lynched. She abuses her power with this
threat because he has so little power because he is black. It is
only in this situation that she has any status at all as usually
she is the bottom of the ranch hierarchy
Curley’s father, the ranch boss, has power over the future of
his men, hiring and firing them as he wishes because, at the
time Steinbeck was writing, the Great Depression made it an
employer’s market. His power is clear in the scene where
Lennie crushes Curley’s hand after Curley has attacked him.
George asks Slim: ‘D’you think his old man’ll can us now?’ It is
the calm and powerful Slim who ensures this will not happen
by telling Curley that to save face he will have to say he
caught his hand in a machine
Lennie and George seek the power to control their own

destinies by planning to have a place of their own, the dream
they are working towards. They talk about being able to make
their own decisions, allowing friends to stay with them and
organising their own time in their dream house where they
work for themselves
it is only in being able to make the decision to shoot Lennie

that George can exert some power over the desperate
situation that Lennie has found himself in. He learns from
Candy the importance of taking the power over the life of
loved ones into his own hands rather than leave Lennie to a
cruel fate at the hands of Curley and his posse.

50 4ET0_01
2014 May
A: Steinbeck presents Curley and Curley's wife as the source of most of the trouble
on
Ofthe ranch.
Mice and How
Men far do you
– John agree with this view?
Steinbeck

Number
This is not an exhaustive list but the following points may be
made:
Curley is the son of the boss and therefore has power on the
ranch. He is small in stature but well-built and a practised boxer.
He is aggressive, unfriendly and unpopular with the men on the
ranch. He is hostile towards and suspicious of George and Lennie
when they arrive at the ranch. He is extremely bad-tempered and
jealously possessive of his wife. He is described as ‘pugnacious’
Curley’s wife is the only female character in the novel. She is not
given a name by Steinbeck and is treated very much as a
possession by Curley. She is attention-seeking and young,
heavily made-up and concerned about her appearance. She is
very lonely and seeks company from the men who work on the
ranch
candidates may argue that both of these characters are the

source of trouble on the ranch but others may identify aspects of
ranch life such as loneliness or discrimination as alternative
sources of trouble. Examiners should be open to a range of
supported arguments
Curley causes trouble for Slim by accusing him of having relations

with his wife. Because of Slim’s position on the ranch, the respect
in which he is held by the other men and his fear of Slim, Curley
turns on Lennie in the bunkhouse, fiercely beating him until
George gives Lennie permission to fight back. Curley resents
Lennie because of his height and size but he also sees him as a
soft target. This event unsettles Lennie and makes Curley even
more of an enemy to him. This intensifies Curley’s hatred of
Lennie by the end of the novel
Curley’s wife is immediately seen by George to be a bad influence

and dangerous person on the ranch. He describes her as ‘jailbait’
and warns Lennie in strong terms to stay away from her. His
warning proves to be justified by the end of the novel when
Lennie accidentally kills her in the barn. Curley’s wife, it can be
argued, is only looking for company and is a victim of events on
the ranch rather than the source of problems
Steinbeck describes Curley’s wife as quite vain with tight,

sausage curls and scarlet mules. She tries to flirt with George and
other men on the ranch. Steinbeck portrays her as blocking out
the light, suggesting that she is a negative force in the novel.
52
Curley’s wife confides in Lennie about her lost dreams and
encourages him to stroke her hair. Lennie’s misunderstanding
leads him to hold on to her hair when she asks him to let go
which ends with him breaking her neck when he tries to silence
her
it is Curley’s aggressive determination to catch Lennie and shoot

him himself that leads to the necessity of George’s actions in
shooting Lennie first to protect him. Curley shows no interest in
the loss of his wife, rather he is fired up by having a reason to
pursue and hurt Lennie.

Level 1 1-6 Limited knowledge and understanding of the text evident in
the response
limited appreciation of the writer’s craft
Engagement with the text is basic, examples used are of
limited relevance
Where response requires consideration of two or more
features, limited balance is evident
Level 2 7-12 Some knowledge and understanding of the text evident in the
response
some appreciation of the writer’s craft
Engagement with the text is basic, examples used are of
partial relevance
features, partial balance is evident
Level 3 13-18 Sound knowledge and understanding of the text evident in
the response
Engagement with the text is sound, examples used are
clearly relevant
features, a clear balance is evident
Level 4 19-24 Thorough knowledge and understanding of the text evident in
the response
sustained appreciation of the writer’s craft
Engagement with the text is sustained, examples used are
fully relevant
53

B: In what way does Steinbeck explore the themes of disability in this novel?

Number
made:
the theme of disability is largely shown through the characters of

Lennie, Candy and Crooks in the novel. Lennie is a gentle giant of
a man who has learning difficulties; Candy is the old swamper on
the ranch who has lost the use of his hand in a machine and
Crooks is so-called because of his crooked back, caused by being
kicked by a mule
Lennie’s learning difficulties are shown in the opening of the novel

when George has to prevent him from gulping down stagnant
water at the pond and from petting dead mice: it ain’t fresh’.
George clearly has to look out for Lennie and Steinbeck shows the
effect of disability on their relationship. Lennie was brought up by
his Aunt Clara and, after her death, George takes on the job of
looking after him. This is particularly difficult during the Great
Depression when many men struggled to survive. It is Lennie and
George’s partnership that gives them strength
George is compelled by the opinions of others to hide the true

nature of Lennie’s disability. He ensures that Lennie will not speak
during the meeting with the boss at the ranch and looks after his
work slips, along with his own. During this meeting, George lies by
saying that he is Lennie’s cousin and that Lennie was injured by
being kicked by a horse when he was a child. This explanation is
considered more acceptable than a problem from birth and George
tells this lie to protect them both
Lennie may be ‘slow’ but he is, as George maintains, ‘a hell of a

good worker’. Lennie can be seen to compensate for his learning
difficulties by being extremely good at bucking barley. Steinbeck
does not portray Lennie as a weak character, rather, that he is
different and vulnerable
at the end of the novel, there is nothing for George to do but to

shoot Lennie to save him from a life of misery in a ‘cage’ or a
painful death at the hands of Curley. Steinbeck shows in his novel
that there was no provision for the disabled in American society in
the 1930s
Candy is disabled because of his injured hand, the result of an

agricultural accident. He has received a small amount of
compensation for this injury but has to work in the only capacity
he can as a disabled old man, as a swamper (a cleaner) on the
55

ranch. His position amongst the men is lowly and he is an insecure
character. Candy speaks of his fate when he is no longer able to
work: ‘I got hurt 4 years ago’ and ‘They’ll can me purty soon’. He
fears being ‘cann’d’ and his only hope is to go in with Lennie and
George and their dream of the farm
Crooks is disabled by being kicked in the back by a horse. He is

discriminated against because he is black, so being disabled in
addition to this is a double blow. He applies liniment to his back in
his room but is seen as an object of fun to the other men who talk
of him being beaten by the boss when he is in a bad mood.

2014 January 0 No rewardable material.
Level 1 1-6 Limited knowledge and understanding of the text evident in
A:
Of Explore
Mice andthe role
Men – and
Johncharacter
Steinbeck
the of Candy in this novel.
response
Question characterisation/theme/plot/setting for literary effect show
Indicative content
Number limited appreciation of the writer’s craft
11(a) Engagement
Examiners should with
be alert tothe text is basic,
a variety examples
of responses used
and are of
should
limited relevance
features, limited balance is evident
made:
Level 2 7-12 Some knowledge and understanding of the text evident in
Candy is the
the response
'old swamper' who is first to greet Lennie and George
when they arrive at the
Comments ranch.
about the He assists
writer’s usethem
of in getting to know
who’s who on the ranch, passing opinions on Curley,
characterisation/theme/plot/setting Curley’s
for literary wife
effect show
and Slim some
among appreciation of the
others. Candy writer’s
performs ancraft
important role in giving
the reader and Lennie with
Engagement and George
the textinformation about the
is basic, examples ranch
used areand
of
partial relevance
its inhabitants
Candy is features,
an old man with an
partial injured
balance is hand.
evidentHe is no longer able to do
Level 3 the heavySound
13-18 work on the ranch.
knowledge Heunderstanding
and is friendly but of
is the
alsotext
quite a fragile
evident in
figure. His only
the companion is his elderly sheep dog to which he is
response
very much attached. about
Comments He has a small
the amount
writer’s use ofof money as
compensation for the injury to his hand
Candy encompasses
Engagement Steinbeck’s themes
with the text of disability,
is sound, examples loneliness
used are and
insecurity. He argues
clearly with Carlson about having his dog put down but
relevant
submits reluctantly to the requires
Where response majority consideration
decision whenof Slim
twoagrees it’s the
or more
best thingfeatures,
to do. Thea clear balance
shooting is evident
of Candy’s dog foreshadows the
Level 4 shooting Thorough
19-24 of Lennie at the handsand
knowledge of George at the end
understanding of the
of the novel.
text evident
Candy’s words: ‘I ought to have shot that dog myself’ are significant
in the response
in the context of George’s
Comments about decision to shoot
the writer’s Lennie himself
use of
Candy wants to be part
sustained of George
appreciation ofand
the Lennie’s dream of owning ‘a
writer’s craft
little place’. He listens with
Engagement in to the
theirtext
conversation andexamples
is sustained, offers to used are
contribute fully relevant
financially to the purchase of the place. At first George and
Lennie are reluctant
Where to bring
response him inconsideration
requires to the plan butof he
twoconvinces
or more
them, not only with his money, but with offers to do the cleaning and
cooking and to leave his share 56 of the farm to them in his will. Candy’s
contribution to the purchase of the farm makes the possibility of
them achieving their dream much closer. This adds to the poignant
ending of the novel – the ranch is so near but yet so far
Candy is easily intimidated. He fears Curley’s temper and the

prospect of being ‘cann’d’. When he and Lennie are in Crooks’s room
when the other men have gone into town, his attempts to stand up to
Curley’s wife are easily quashed by her threats
it is Candy who discovers the body of Curley’s wife in the barn. He

alerts George to the situation and raises the alarm without
incriminating George. He realises the loss of the dream.

B: How does Steinbeck use different settings in this novel to convey his themes?

Number
made:
Steinbeck’s novel is set in the 1930s during the Great Depression. This
setting of high unemployment, poverty and the isolation brought about
by temporary, itinerant work provides the context in which Lennie and
George’s unusual friendship is explored. The geographical setting is
the Salinas valley in California, a place Steinbeck knew well, where
farming was the main form of work available
the first setting used in the novel is the clearing by the pond where
Lennie and George set up camp after the bus driver gives them a ‘bum
steer’ and drops them off too early. Steinbeck’s vivid description is
very effective and introduces his concise style. His description draws
the reader into the novel quickly and his use of imagery provides a
sense of place and time. This is a very important place in the novel as
it is where Lennie is told to return if anything goes wrong: ‘I want you
to come right here an' hide in the brush’
the clearing by the pond is also the last setting in the novel, giving the
piece its symmetrical structure. ‘The deep green pool of the Salinas
River was still in the late afternoon. Already the sun had left the valley
to go climbing up the slopes of the Gabilan mountains and the hilltops
were rosy in the sun.’ It is here that Lennie goes after inadvertently
killing Curley’s wife. He meets George there when the posse are out
searching for him and it is here that George shoots him in the back of
the head to ensure that he is not harmed by the aggressive and
vengeful Curley
the bunkhouse is another setting used by Steinbeck to show life on the

ranch. This is where the men sleep and spend time when they are not
working. ‘Inside, the walls were whitewashed and the floor unpainted.’
Upon arriving in the bunkhouse, George finds the cast off things
belonging to its previous inhabitants such as bug spray. This is not a
permanent home for any of the men. The bunkhouse is the scene
where the fate of Candy’s dog is decided and where Curley attacks
Lennie
Crooks’s room is another important setting in the novel. Steinbeck

describes it in detail. ‘There were battered magazines and a few dirty
books on the special self over his bunk. A pair of large gold-rimmed
spectacles hung from a nail on the wall above his bed.’ This setting
offers the reader insight into the lonely life of Crooks. He is shown to
be an intelligent man who is segregated from the ranch as a whole
because he is black

2013 May
A: Explore the character of Slim and his relationship with others in this novel.

Number
made:
Slim is the character that stands apart from others in the novel; he is
described as ‘god-like’. He is the ‘jerkline skinner’, well respected and
good at his job. He has an air of mystery about him and is dignified: a
natural leader. He is a ‘hell of a nice fella’. He is described as moving
with ‘a majesty achieved only by royalty and master craftsmen’. He
appears ageless with the hands of a ‘temple dancer’.
Slim’s relationship with George and Lennie is friendly and balanced. He

admires their strength and skill on the ranch. He understands their
relationship and orchestrates the situation when Curley’s hand is
broken to ensure that Lennie and George are not ‘cann’d.’ He is a good
listener who is receptive to George as he confesses to him about his
relationship with Lennie.
Curley knows he cannot intimidate Slim. Slim is immune to the charms

of Curley’s wife, even though she has tried to flirt with him and, as
Candy points out, ‘Slim don’t need to wear no high heeled boots on a
grain team.’ This is an unfavourable comparison with Curley whose
short stature and pugilistic attitude are polar opposites to Slim’s calm,
tall presence. Curley even offers Slim an uncharacteristic apology.
Slim is kind to Curley’s wife; he is the only person who seems to offer
her any kind of welcome. When she comes to the bunk house
allegedly looking for Curley, he greets her with ‘Hi, Good-lookin’’. His
dismissal of her is firm but tinged with a light humour.
after Slim’s dog has puppies, both Candy and Lennie are offered one.
This is an important gesture. Candy’s dog has been shot by Carlson
and Lennie’s love of soft animals is well known. Slim is, however, a
pragmatist who tacitly authorises the shooting of Candy’s aged dog and
reports that he has had to drown four of the puppies as their mother
cannot feed all of them.
at the end of the novel, Slim helps George to make up his mind about
Lennie and reassures him that he has done the right thing in shooting
Lennie. Again he is pragmatic about Lennie’s likely fate if George does
not shoot him. It is Slim who leads George away from the scene of
Lennie’s death to Carlson’s comment of ‘what’s eatin’ them two guys’.

B:
Of‘Guys
Micelike
andusMen
that work on ranches...’
– John Steinbeck Explore the importance of work in ‘Of Mice

Number
made:
candidates may mention the lack of regular paid work during the time
of which Steinbeck is writing. Lennie and George are itinerant workers
owing to the effects of the Depression and that is how the reader finds
them at the beginning of the novel – on their way to seek work at the
ranch. Luck seems to be against them in this respect from the very
start as the bus driver ‘gives them a bum steer’. Steinbeck
emphasizes the distances men need to travel to find work.
reference to the work slips from Murray and Ready and the attitude of
the boss at the ranch to the men’s arrival demonstrates that work is
scarce and it’s an employer’s market. Lennie’s skill at manual tasks and
his incredible strength are conveyed in Steinbeck’s prose and represent
his value to the ranch that George puts across when he talks to the
boss – ‘He can rassel grain bags, drive a cultivator’. George is keen to
present Lennie in a good light before he speaks.
Steinbeck describes what the ranch is like as a workplace in a number

of situations such as the harness room where Crooks lives with ‘a little
bench for leather working tools’. He describes the camaraderie in the
bunk house amongst disparate individuals brought together by the
need for work. A former ranch worker who has written in to a
magazine is mentioned and workers live, eat and sleep together.
However, George and Lennie are exceptional in travelling and working
together.
different characters have various roles on the ranch that help to define
their characters. Slim is the respected ‘jerkline skinner’ while Candy is
the ‘old swamper’, Crooks is the stable buck and George and Lennie
are tasked with ‘bucking barley’. These roles contribute to the
portrayal of their characters and emphasise how important it was to
find and keep work. Lennie is described as ‘a hell of a good worker.’
ironically, Curley’s wife has no job and therefore no perceived identity.

She dreams of being an actress but her lack of purpose and function
contributes to her isolation and unhappiness. She falls into her role as
Curley’s wife on the very evening she hopes to take the first step in her
future as an actress. After this, she is given no identity of her own,
always referred to as ‘Curley’s wife’.
the dream of Lennie and George revolves around the security of a

permanent home and self-employment. ‘An’ it’d be our own, an’
nobody could can us.’ The American Dream is evident as Steinbeck
presents the popular belief that independence and happiness are

possible for anyone. Not having to answer to anyone is hugely
important to them. Candy wants to be useful but industrial injury
makes this difficult and he worries about being destitute. His goal in
the dream is to do some hoeing in the garden, ‘cook and tend the
chickens.’
the fragility of employment and the threat of losing a job are evident
throughout the novel. When Lennie ‘busts’ Curley’s hand, George’s
concern is that the two will be ‘canned’ and Candy speaks of his fate
when he is no longer able to work: ‘I got hurt 4 years ago’ and ‘They’ll
can me purty soon.’

2013 January
A: Explore how Curley’s wife and one other character in the novel are affected by
prejudice.

Number
This is not an exhaustive list but the following points are likely to be
made:
apart from Curley’s wife, the obvious character who suffers prejudice is
Crooks, although a case may be made for Curley because no one has
anything pleasant to say about him or Candy because of his disability and
his lowly status. If a candidate makes a good case with obvious evidence
they should be rewarded.
Curley’s wife
Curley’s wife is criticised by many of the men who have no understanding
of her isolation. This links with a prejudiced view of her behaviour. She
is a dreamer. “’Nother time I met a guy, an’ he was in pitchers. Went
out to the Riverside Dance Palace with him. He says he was gonna put
me in the movies. Says I was a natural. Soon’s he got back to Hollywood
he was gonna write to me about it.” She looked closely at Lennie to see
whether she was impressing him. “I never got that letter,” she said. “I
always thought my ol’ lady stole it.”
Candy sums up the view of the men: “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 says: “She’s gonna make a mess. They’s gonna be a bad mess
about her. She’s a jail bait all set on the trigger. That Curley got his work
cut out for him. Ranch with a bunch of guys on it ain’t no place for a girl,
specially like her.” Later George calls her a tramp. Not one of the men
knows her real name.
Curley's wife is responsible for the worst example of prejudice. She is

talking to Crooks. ‘She turned on him in scorn. “Listen, Nigger,” she said.
“You know what I can do to you if you open your trap?”
the men might be prejudiced against her but she still has Crooks that she
can humiliate. In that incident Steinbeck shows how the dispossessed
can strike back to exert power.
Crooks
the dice are loaded against Crooks not only is he black but he is disabled
too. Steinbeck gives him a great deal of dignity. When Lennie goes into
Crooks’ room Steinbeck describes it with economy. “This room was
swept and fairly neat, for Crooks was a proud, aloof man. He kept his
distance and demanded that other people keep theirs. His body was bent
over to the left by his crooked spine, and his eyes lay deep in his head,
and because of their depth seemed to glitter with intensity. His lean face
46

was lined with deep black wrinkles, and he had thin, pain-tightened lips
which were lighter than his face.”
naïve Lennie cannot understand why Crooks is ostracised. ““Why ain’t

you wanted?” Lennie asked. “’Cause I’m black. 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.”
Crooks has had a lifetime of being subjected to racist prejudice. He is

very articulate. There is an impression created that he could be the most
intelligent man on the ranch. He does occasionally retire “into the
terrible protective dignity of the negro.”

0
B: The novel was Nopublished
first rewardableinmaterial.
1937. What is it about the themes of the novel
that continue to attract readers?
response
Comments
Of Mice and Men – John Steinbeck about the writer’s use of
Question limited appreciation of the writer’s craft
Indicative content
Number Engagement with the text is basic, examples used are of limited
11(b) Examiners relevance
should be alert to a variety of responses and should
reward points Wherewhich are clearly
response based
requires on evidence
consideration of two from the text.
or more features,
This is not limited
an exhaustive
balance is list but the following points are likely to be
evident
made: Some knowledge and understanding of the text evident in the
Level 2 7-12
response
Candidates will list some of the following factors: evokes compassion
in theComments
reader, deals with
about the
the universal
writer’s usethemes
of of friendship and
loneliness, sadness, bullying, hopes and dreams,
characterisation/theme/plot/setting death
for literary and show
effect prejudice.
some
Theseappreciation
themes transcend time andcraft
of the writer’s relate to current problems.
the clearly drawn characters
Engagement with the textandisthe hopes
basic, and dreams
examples used of
areGeorge
of partial
relevance
and Lennie engage the reader from the start.
hopes and dreams
partial balanceare threaded throughout the book: George and
is evident
Lennie's dream of owning a small farm, Curley's wife’s dream of
Level 3 Sound
13-18 finding fameknowledge
in Hollywood.and understanding of the text evident in the
response
characterisation/theme/plot/setting
the ethical issues raised in the book are done for literary
withouteffect show The
preaching.
racismsound
in theappreciation of theiswriter’s
way that Crooks isolatedcraft
is simply stated and again a
greatEngagement
deal is related through
with theisdialogue.
the text sound, examples used are clearly
relevant
the ethical
Whereissue of killing
response is introduced
requires through
consideration the debate
of two or morearound
features,
Candy’s dog balance
a clear and lateriswith the killing of Lennie himself.
evident
Level 4 Thorough
19-24 Curley’s knowledge
wife brings out theand understanding
sexism of the
at the ranch. Fewtext evident
of the men in
have the response
anything pleasant to say about her and they dismiss her
brutally.
sustained
the violence appreciation
of the of the
scene where writer’s
Curley’s craft
hand is crushed has a mixed
appealEngagement with the text is sustained, defeat
to readers. Lennie’s triumph and the of the
examples usedbully
areare
fully
satisfying.
relevantThe other violence: the death of Curley’s wife is written in
a very different
Where way. requires
response It almostconsideration
comes as a surprise.
of two or more features,
a thorough, balanced approach is evident
Steinbeck does not moralise, does not go into the minds of the
characters, except for the strange episode with Aunt Clara talking to
Lennie. In the main, Steinbeck just reports.
all the characters are lonely apart from George and Lennie who have
each other.
47
finally it is the circular nature of the tale that has an appeal as it

returns to the location where it started and the unique relationship of
the two main characters ends. In a few lines of dialogue Steinbeck
highlights the racism and the loneliness.

49
2012 May
A: Show how the characters of Candy and Crooks are presented in this novel.

Number
11(a) Examiners should be alert to a variety of responses and should reward points
which are clearly based on evidence from the text. This is not an exhaustive
list but the following points are likely to be made:
Steinbeck's characters, Candy and Crooks, are initially presented in this
text as elderly outcasts who appear to have little hope of changing their
present circumstances. George and Lennie’s dream entrances both these
characters and, for a short while, they both contemplate the possibility
of this dream not just coming true, but that they may partake in it.
Crooks cannot help but ask if there might be room for him to come along
and hoe in the garden. Crooks’ hopes of helping out on this farm are
quickly extinguished, from the moment George enters the bunkhouse.
George clearly disapproves of Lennie spending time with Crooks; Crooks
is quickly reminded that the colour of his skin is a barrier to any chance
of joining them on the farm. He tells Candy that he wasn’t really serious,
Crooks’ way of coping with any rejection.
Crooks is extremely lonely; section four of the text explores his

loneliness. He plays a cruel game with Lennie, suggesting to him that
George may not return; it is only when Lennie threatens him with
physical violence that he does relent. Crooks exhibits the corrosive
effects that loneliness can have on a person; his character evokes
sympathy as the origins of his cruel behaviour are made evident.
Candy’s dog serves as a harsh reminder of the fate that awaits anyone
who outlives his usefulness. Like George, Candy clings to the idea of
having the freedom to take up or set aside work as he chooses. Candy
believes that his dream will come true. The change in his character is
entirely down to the fact that he has something to work and live for.
When Curley’s wife is discovered dead in the barn, Candy is devastated.
He is aware that with her death the dream dies.
The impossibility of their dream sadly proves that the bitter Crooks was
right. Steinbeck appears to suggest that such a paradise of freedom,
contentment, and safety are not to be found in this world.
response
characterisation/theme/plot/setting for literary effect show limited
relevance

B: Explore the importance of friendship in Of Mice and Men.

Number
11(b) Examiners should be alert to a variety of responses and should reward points
which are clearly based on evidence from the text. This is not an exhaustive
list but the following points are likely to be made:
A friendship like George’s and Lennie’s is not just unusual but unique,
especially amongst men, men who are struggling to survive and make a
living in a difficult and hostile world. The last words in the novel belong
to Carlson who demonstrates what most men think and feel: a complete
lack of understanding for George and Lennie’s friendship.
Steinbeck presents George’s frustration with Lennie from the opening

pages in the novel; he is held back from living a settled and untroubled
life. Despite this, George does what he thinks he has to do and takes
responsibility for Lennie.
George’s and Lennie’s friendship is at the core of the novel; Steinbeck

presents this friendship in a sincere and realistic fashion. From Lennie’s
perspective, George is the most important person in his life, his guardian
and only friend. Every time Lennie does anything that he knows is wrong,
his first thought is of George’s disapproval. When he accidentally kills his
puppy, his only thought is about George’s anger. He has a childlike faith
that George will always be there for him, a faith that seems justified,
given their long history together.
George has assumed responsibility for Lennie’s welfare and although he

has made speeches about how much easier life would be without Lennie,
George is clearly devoted to his friend. The men are uncommonly united
by their shared dream of a better life on a farm: ‘live off the fatta the
lan’’. George’s belief in the dream farm depends upon Lennie.
Ultimately, Steinbeck’s world is too harsh to sustain their relationship,
and they are forced to separate tragically. With this, a rare friendship
vanishes.

response
characterisation/theme/plot/setting for literary effect show limited
relevance

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BELIEVE IN LEARNING

ENGLISH IGCSE EDEXCEL LIT PAPER 1

ALL OF MICE AND MEN QUESTIONS & MARK SCHEMES 2012-18

Assessment objectives and weightings

Relationship of assessment objectives to units

NB: some figures have been rounded up or down.

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Component 1: Poetry and Modern Prose *Paper code 4ET1/01

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Believe in You, Believe In Learning: Tuition | Revision | Study Skills | Mentoring |

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Believe in You, Believe In Learning: Tuition | Revision | Study Skills | Mentoring |

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A: How is Candy, the old swamper, presented in this novel?

after overhearing George and Lennie talking about their dream

Candy joins Lennie and Crooks in Crooks’ room on the evening

it is Candy who discovers the body of Curley’s wife in the barn

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Question Indicative content

Curley’s wife is left out of private conversations. She is married to

Crooks does not fit in on the ranch as he is black and is referred to

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Believe in You, Believe In Learning: Tuition | Revision | Study Skills | Mentoring |

A: Explore how Steinbeck presents the character of Slim in the novel

Question Indicative content

Slim is the highly-skilled jerkline skinner on the ranch. He is well

Slim is a quiet, thoughtful man and the only one who

Slim has a generous spirit, giving one of his pups to Lennie. He is

Slim encourages George to do the right thing by Lennie, telling

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B: In what ways is poverty important in this novel?

Question Indicative content

set in The Great Depression of the 1930s, poverty is a central

the bunkhouse at the ranch reflects the poverty of The Great

such was the fear of destitution and homelessness that many of

when Curley's hand is broken by Lennie, George asks Slim if

poverty leads to a lack of hope and choice. George describes the

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it can be argued that Lennie suffers the most as he has to deal

at the end of the novel's action, Lennie is killed. Ironically,

Crooks could be considered the character who suffers most. He is

Curley's wife could be considered the character who suffers most

George suffers through the burden of Lennie's condition. He

Candy can be described as suffering: he is the 'old swamper' who

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B: How does Steinbeck present authority in this novel?

Of Mice and Men – John Steinbeck

authority is presented in a number of ways. Lennie largely does

authority can be seen in the hierarchy of the ranch. The boss is

as the boss's son, Curley is a figure of authority who throws his

Slim is the 'prince of the ranch', enjoying an easy authority over

Curley's wife is very low46

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A: How does Steinbeck present the character of Curley?

Question Indicative content

Curley is immediately hostile to Lennie and George upon first

Curley turns on Lennie after getting angry when Carlson calls

Curley is an inconsiderate husband, visiting the brothel in town