Last minute A-A* Exam support Tackling the Of Mice and Men Section

Approx. Reading time for study at home 2 hours

How to use this pack:

1. 2. 3. Study carefully the mark scheme. Take note of Steinbecks overall intentions and key themes. Understand how different characters use language and why. Read over examples of how to closely analyse language. Read the frequently asked questions to support exam confidence.

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The Layout of the Exam

The paper is 1 hour 45 minutes long
Section A Of Mice and Men 40 marks

Section B Writing task 24 marks

You should spend: 60 minutes on Section A 45 minutes on section B.

Section A - Of Mice and Men layout

Question Question 1 Type Marks Time you should spend on it 25 minutes You will be given a short extract. 16 You will be asked to comment on how Steinbeck uses language to influence our views on a character, theme or setting

Question 2

You will be asked to find an extract 24 from a different part of the novel, and to comment on how another character, theme or setting is presented in this extract.

35 minutes

Timing is everything
-You have 1 hour for Of Mice and Men. - You should spend 25 minutes for the first question -35 minutes for the second.

The mark scheme -You are assessed on one Assessment Objective:

A03 Studying written language

-It is broken up into 3 key skills....

The different skills A03 wants you to show:

You can read and understand texts select appropriate material, collate material from different sources make comparisons and crossreferences between language use as appropriate

What this means:

-Show that you really understand the ideas of the novel -Use evidence from different parts of the same extract to support your ideas -Find patterns in language use in the same passage -Explore the overall impression we get towards a character, theme or setting by referring to specific language features in different parts of the same passage - When you interpret how a character, theme or setting is presented, you are able to fully develop your ideas by uncovering many layers of meaning. -When discussing a character or theme, you show that you are aware of the different perspectives in the novel -Always suggest what Steinbeck is trying to show us through these different perspectives.

Develop and sustain interpretations of Steinbecks ideas and perspectives

The different skills A03 assesses you on:

iii) Explain and evaluate how Steinbeck uses language, grammar and structure to achieve effects and engage and influence the reader.

What this means:

-Refer very closely to specific word choices and discuss meaning of words and phrases -Identify a range of different language techniques Steinbeck uses -Suggest where and why words occur in a passage by asking: what added information does this word / language feature give us? -Always talk about the effects these have on the reader -Always suggest why Steinbeck uses different language features and what he is trying to show us

What impresses the examiners

Evidence that you have understood Steinbecks ideas

and purpose for presenting a character / theme in a certain way. Steinbecks language, with a grasp of a range of language features. themes and ideas of the novel.

The widespread ability to select relevant examples of

Offering comments that relates these examples to the

A sensitive understanding and empathy with different

characters.

The bottom line.....

The examiner wants you to show that you understand:

1. The impressions that language gives the reader. 2. Why Steinbeck chooses to use specific words to present a character / theme in a certain way.

Steinbeck and his novel

1. The novel has an underlying morality that cuts beneath all the characters and the central themes 2. Steinbeck shows a deep and profound concern for victims and human suffering through his characters.
A* Take-aways When analysing how a character is presented through language, try to take a sensitive and sympathetic view of them; always look for hints of their hidden emotions, motives and feelings, and contrast them with their outer appearances. Recognise that Steinbecks characters attempt to hide their feelings in order to survive the hostile conditions on the ranch. This will take you naturally towards commenting on Steinbecks intentions and how he subtlety reveals the many layers of human suffering and the trapped victims in his novel.

Key themes

Hopes and dreams

Friendship, loyalty and dependency.

Victims and emotional suffering

Hostility and aggression

Isolation and loneliness

Steinbecks characters:
Most are in some way mentally, physically or

emotionally impaired or scarred. Despite the hardness of their exterior, Steinbecks language reveals a hidden softness or vulnerability in them. We are encouraged to feel sympathetic towards his characters they all have different hopes and dreams, and experience frustration, loneliness or isolation, and are victims to the hostile conditions on the ranch.
Take-aways When analysing how language influences our view of different characters, look out for any of the key ideas above, and consider how these characters embody these ideas through the language Steinbeck uses.

On the following slides, you will find an overview of how Steinbeck uses different language features to define his characters. Use these as an idea of the types of things the examiner is looking for you to comment on when you closely analyse a passage.

Crooks and language apply these key ideas to passage analysis in exam
Crooks an isolated black man on the ranch he has faced years of discrimination

Characteristic language use:

Crooks speech is frequently defensive, scornful and is used as a way of protecting himself. The verbs and adverbs Steinbeck uses to describe his actions suggest inbuilt apprehension, suspicion and emotional distance and guardedness from the other men. His character and the language Steinbeck uses to describe him and his environment, physically embodies the themes of loneliness and isolation, as well as hostility developed from years of mistreatment. Although on the surface Crooks character is hardened and bitter, Steinbeck reveals through language Crooks emotional frustrations, the effects of maltreatment, and how hard he tries to disguise his vulnerabilities. Therefore, all language is intended to present him as a sympathetic character to the reader and to provoke feelings of pity towards his isolation.

Lennie and language apply these key ideas to passage analysis in exam
Characteristic language use: His child-like nature and simplicity is frequently expressed through is speech Steinbeck uses simple, single syllabic words to express his thoughts and ideas.
The language used to describe him suggests that he is vulnerable and needs protecting from the world. Steinbeck frequently uses similes to liken him to an animal to show that he is instinctive, and unguarded. In his speech, he frequently repeats words, phrases and ideas to show us how preoccupied he can become with insignificant things, and how his own perceptions of the world centre around his own childish desires. Think of how rabbits are frequently repeated in the same passage. Frequent use of Georges name in his speech suggests that he is dependent and over-reliant on George to control his actions.
Lennie Small a simple, kindhearted and innocent character

Lennie and language apply these key ideas to passage analysis in exam
Characteristics of language use continued:

His childish nature is shown through his speech which is generally tunnelvisioned shown through frequent use of the first person pronoun I and repetition of Georges name. The world centres around himself and George, reflected through language use. He is simple and has limited ulterior motives. Steinbeck makes his thoughts plain and clear to see through the use of verbs: he frequently smiles to himself, which also shows that he is centred upon his own world and desires; not connected to the shared world of the men around him.
Furthermore, he does not understand the significance of guarding himself verbally through his speech, or disguising his thoughts. His actions are generally over-exaggerated, shown through Steinbecks use of verbs and adverbs to descibe what he does George is frequently able to read him through what his body does. Consider how fixated he becomes with Curleys wife: stares openly.

He can become over-exciteable, which is reflected in punctuation use

Socially savvy and aware - verbs and adverbs to describe his actions suggest that he is constantly evaluating the world around him, and that he is frequently searching for hidden motivations in people. Senses and perceives threats and danger hostile reaction to Curleys wife derrogatory language to refer to her - as well as sharp plosive words to warn Lennie away from her same for Curley - Understands human motives Can be seen as a lonely character; longs for mutual friendship with someone on his own emotional and intellectual level shown through the adjectives he uses to refer to Lennie he calls him crazy as well as his frequent outbursts his frustration towards Lennie revealled through short sentences, exclamation marks, plosives etc. Protective of Lennie and secretly devoted to Lennie uses positive adjectives to big up Lennies strength in front of the men. Dependent on Lennie Doesnt fully believe in dreams, yet uses them to keep Lennies in line Emotionally guarded - has a poker face with people to hide his feelings, as a method to protect himself Dejected and sad hints of saddness through some of the adverbs to describe his facial expressions

George overview of character and language

Curley and language Characteristics of Steinbecks language for Curley:

A suspicious character, reflected through the verbs and adverbs to describe his actions Jealous and possessive over his wife: reflected through accusations and questions to other characters; also verb use when he enters the room searching for his wife: active verbs, suggests he is on a cat-and-mouse chase presented as a pitiable character to the reader (this can create a type of sympathy in and of itself for his character) Insecure: marks and matches his competiton sizes up his competitors Makes other characters feel uncomfortable and on guard Confrontational and upfront: suggested when he places Lennie on the spot. Use of imperatives in his speech suggests he tries to dominate and control others Attempts to bully, harass and intimidate others Singles individuals out Heavily guarded character frequently short, clipped sentences find out little about him Picks on peoples vulnerabilities Tries to attain status Volitile and aggressive Carrys the themes of hostility Steinbeck uses language to show us the true hostility and aggressiveness of this climate.

Carlson and language apply these key ideas to passage analysis in exam
Carlson is a relatively minor character in the novel; however, his character serves to define and reinforce the sense of hostility on the ranch and advance the themes of loneliness in characters such as Candy. He is responsible for the death of Candys dog. He complains bitterly of the dogs smell and how old he is in Chapter 2 and 3, and then presses the issue that the dog should be shot, until Candy finally gives in. Steinbeck presents him as: A bully Influential Dominant Leading questions to Candy assert dominance and control over him Inconsiderate of the meaning Candy attaches to his dog

Curleys wife is significant in the novel in the ways that she communicates the themes of Curleys wife and language apply these key ideasvictims. loneliness, hopes and dreams and to passage analysis in exam Language: She is presented as predatory and dangerous, due to her influential position on the ranch as Curleys wife. Steinbeck presents her as attention seeking through language used to describe her: Steinbeck frequently uses nouns draw attention to her body and physical posture to suggest that she dangerously sexualised and flirtatious; furthermore, verbs to describe her actions reinforce her sexually teasing nature. Her language with the men on the ranch is playful frequently addresses her targets directly by name. Intentionally provokes anger within the men on the ranch they refer to her in a derrogatory way frequently (think about when she is in Crooks barn) Her childish nature is reflected in the simplicity of her speech monosyllabic words, short, simple sentence use she is nave and vulnerable innocent to the hostile conditions of the ranch Her speech reflects need for company she provokes, questions, targets, threatens and insults through words to get attention. Need to be heard: lengthy, one-sided monologue in section 5 used to put forward her side of the story Dismissed and shunned by others: abusive language others use for her show she is unwelcome and unable to interact with others on the ranch Emotionally unfulfilled Can be viewed as a deeply sympathetic character

Candy and language apply these key ideas to passage analysis in exam
Candy an old man with low status on the ranch; bullied into allowing dog to be killed by Carlson; buys into George and Lennies dreams of owning their own farm

Characteristic language use: The verbs and adverbs frequently used to describe his actions and movement suggests vulnerability, old age, uselessness e.g. slowly came into the room; as well as the adjectives to describe him e.g. old man His speech reflects low, inferior status on the ranch, passiveness, and submissiveness. The verbs and adverbs Steinbeck uses to describe Candy suggests that he is cautious around the other men. Steinbeck uses Language shows that he is taken in easily by dreams, but his dreams is more of the need to be valued and taken in, and for companions

Examples of how to apply these ideas to key passages

Example 1: Explore how the language in the extract influences your view of Crooks Extract taken from chapter 4 (approx 2 pages in just after the description of his room)
Take-aways: You can use this passage in the exam to explore the how the theme of isolation or hostility is reflected through Crooks character

Crooks is defensive, the verb phrase came out from his shirt suggests that he is instantly on guard, and is ready to use his hands for protection The adverb sharply is cutting and harsh, suggests that his defences are raised, and he is using the tone of his voice to shield, protect and guard himself against possible danger

Crooks character
Noiselessly Lennie appeared in the open doorway and stood there looking in, his big shoulders nearly filling the opening. For a moment Crooks did not see him, but on raising his eyes he stiffened and a scowl came on his face. His hand came out from under his shirt. Lennie smiled helplessly in an attempt to make friends. Crooks said sharply, You got no right to come in my room. This heres my room. Nobody got any right in here but me. Lennie gulped and his smile grew more fawning. I aint doing nothing, he said. Just come to look at my puppy. And I seen your light, he explained. Well, I got a right to have a light. You go on get outta my room. I aint waned in the bunk house, and you aint wanted in my room. Why aint you wanted? Lennie asked. Cause Im black. They play cards in there, but I cant play because Im black. They say I stink. Well, I tell you, you all of you stink to me. Lennie flapped his big hands helplessly. Everbody went into town, he said. Slim an George an everybody. George says I gotta stay here an not get in no trouble. I seen your light. Well, what do you want?
The word right is repeated three times in this passage

This tells us that Crooks is sharply aware of when someone else infringes upon his rights. He is using these words to guard his territory and personal space from Lennie. Question cuts straight to the chase, finding out Lennies motivations for visting him suggests his suspicious nature

The collective pronoun They shows us how he perceives himself to be cut off and isolated from others

Repeated verb: Nothing I seen your light. I thought I could jus come in an set stared suggests Crooks stared at Lennie, and he reached behind him and took hostility down the spectacles and adjusted them over his pink ears attempts to and stared again. I dont know what youre doin in the threaten Lennie. The adjective friendly to describe his tone suggests Crooks becomes pleasant and inviting beneath his outer shell, he really does appreciate the company. Links to loneliness. Tag question huh? shows that hes keen to engage Lennie further in conversation

barn anyway he complained. You aint got no skinner. Theys no call for a bucker to come into the barn at all. You aint no skinner. You aint got nothing to do with the horses. The pup Lennie repeated. I come to see my pup. well go see your pup, then. Dont come in a place where youre Verb not wanted. defeated Lennie lost his smile. He advanced a step into the room, then remembered and backed to the door again. I looked at em suggests that a little. Slim says I aint to pet em very much. Crooks said, Well, you been takin em out of the next all the beneath his time. I wonder the old lady dont move em someplace else. hardened exterior, he Oh, she dont care. She lets me. Lennie had moved into the is really a room again. gentle and Crooks scowled, but Lennies disarming smile defeated him. benign Come on in, and set a while, Crooks said. Long as you character wont get out and leave me one, you might as well set down. His tone was more friendly. All the boys gone into town, huh? Example exam response next slide

Effects of Crooks on Lennie shows Crooks intends to hold people at a distance

Explore how the language in the extract influences your view of Crooks.
In the extract, Steinbeck uses language to present Crooks as a hostile, physically and emotionally guarded character. From the onset of the passage, the verbs used to describe his movement suggests defensiveness and guardedness: when Lennie enters the room, his posture involuntarily stiffened and his face contorts into a scowl. These verbs signal how he feels threatened by the intrusion of one of the non-black men, further reinforced by the sentence: His hand came out from under his shirt, again, we see that he is on guard and is physically utilising his body as a way of protecting himself against Lennies perceived threat. He further marks his personal space and territory through his dialogue and actions: he repeats the word right three times to Lennie: You got no right to come into my room. This suggests that he is keen to hold people at a distance, and also suggests that Crooks is sharply aware of what limited rights he possesses, and when someone else infringes upon them; he finds safety in these rights from the intrusion upon his personal space. This repetition suggests his territorial nature.

We also see a character who is deeply wounded and who is suffering from years of accumulated injustice. In the sentence: They say I stink. Well, I tell you, you all of you stink to me, a direct, accusatory tone is created by the short, clipped sentence which collects in strength and anger by the use of the collective pronoun they. Crooks is clearly using this opportunity to speak back against his persecutors, through ventilating and directing his anger towards Lennie. By repeating the second person pronoun you three times, it is clear that Lennie, in his mind, is part of the collective they who have shunned and dismissed him. This creates the sense of a man whose exterior is hardened and brutalised by harsh treatment, who is bitter, isolated, and victimised through segregation, and one who is emotionally and physically isolated. Steinbeck uses these words as a method of advancing the themes of loneliness and frustration through Crooks character, showing us, with human concern, the full angst and depths of Crooks suffering; here, painting a portrait of Crooks as a sympathetic character, whilst drawing attention to the longevity of the hostile treatment that he has experienced as a black man. This sympathetic side of his character is further reinforced when Lennies disarming smile defeated him the verb defeated here suggests a softness to his character, one that rests beneath the thorny exterior. The adjective friendly to describe his tone immediately after this suggests that Crooks is prepared to reveal his inner character momentarily to Lennie and also that beneath his outer shell, he really does appreciate the company perhaps a way of temporarily allieviating his loneliness. Furthermore, the tag question huh? shows that hes keen to engage Lennie further in conversation, and is keen to elicit a response from Lennie.

Example 2:
Explore how the language in the extract influences your view of George
Import ant advice!

Extract taken from chapter 1 (about half way through, after Lennie asks George for Ketchup, George explodes and shouts at him)
Take-aways: This is a good passage to keep hold of for section B as there are multiple ways of interpreting it, and you can read many of the important themes from it. You can use this passage in the exam if you are asked to explore the how the theme of emotional isolation, victims, hostility, friendship, or dreams is reflected in another part of the novel.

Well, we aint got any, George Deep seated anger and exploded. Whatever we aint got, that frustration, what you want God amighty, if I was volatile eruption alone I could live so easy. I could go and outburst get a job an work, an no trouble. No mess at all, an when the end of the First person The repeated month come I could take my fifty pronoun: I connective and repeated bucks and go into town and get creates a list and throughout shows whatever I want. Why, I could stay in series of items, us how he dreams a cat house all night I could eat any which suggests of travelling alone place I want, hotel or any place, and Georges dreams to and order every damn month. Get a gallon have options; ones unaccompanied; of whisky or set in a pool room and that come easily by he also desires to to other men, but play cards and shoot pool. Lennie be fully be in not him because of knelt and looked over the empty fire control of what he Lennies at the angry George. And Lennies face does; suggests he dependency in their was drawn with terror. An whatta I perceives Lennie to relationship be a burden got George went on furiously I got you! I cant keep a job and you loose The use of the second me every job I get. Jus keep me The short sentence shovin all over the country alla time. person pronoun you shows us how he sees and exclamation And that aint the worst. You get in himself as a victim mark suggests the trouble. You do bad things and I got and passes blame virulence of his anger to get you out. effortlessly onto towards Lennie at this
The word alone suggests the burden of their friendship moment in time Lennie (scapegoating)

Plosive words: bitch

His remorse is revealed by the verb use: he looked across the fire at Lennies anguised face

George feels guilt and remorse at the effects on Lennie emotionally connected and in tune with each other.

His voice rose to nearly a shout. You crazy son-of-a-bitch you keep me in hot water all the time. He took on the elaborate manner of little girls when they are mimicking one another. Jus wanted to feel that girls dress? ... I wisht I could put you in a cage with about a million mice an let you have fun. His anger left him suddenly. He looked across the fire at Lennies anguished face, and then he looked ashamedly at the flames. It was quite dark now, but the fire lighted the trunks of the trees and the curving branches overhead. Lennie crawled slowly and cautiously around the fire until he was close to George. He sat back on his heels. George turned the bean cans so that another side faced the fire. He pretended to be unaware of Lennie so close beside him.

Lock Lennie away with his imagination

a softer side emerges to his character, when, after he verbally attacks Lennie, he is quick to realise he is being unfair he recognises the anguished effects of his words on Lennie; reveals to us that deep down George is considerate of Lennies feelings

Example A grade Response

In this passage, George is presented as being angry, hostile and aggressive. This is captured in the verb use exploded which shows us the full force of Georges anger towards Lennie. This suggests that George is resentful of their relationship and how much he has to personally sacrifice himself for Lennie, and how much of himself that he devotes to Lennie. The use of the first person pronoun I suggests a dream and desire to break away from Lennie and dedicate his time to looking after himself. The repeated connective and creates a list and series of items, which suggests Georges dreams to have options; ones that are come easily to other men, but not him, however, because of Lennies dependency in their friendship. The nouns George uses to describe what he could have if he travelled alone are everyday, commonplace, and simple nouns: he wishes he can go to town, eat any place drink whisky, which suggest the simplicity of his desires. However, these reinforce the sense of Georges frustrations, even suffering, even further, because they are within his grasp and very realistic, yet Lennie is the thing that gets in the way of these simple desires of his. However, the accusatory tone created by the repeated use of second person pronoun you, as well as the lengthy, unbroken one-sidedness to his speech suggests that he could be being unreasonable towards Lennie, and that he is an emotionally volatile character, who needs to ventilate his anger and frustrations. Example A* response on next slide

Example A* Response
In this extract, Steinbeck presents George as being frustrated and trapped in having to care for Lennie. This is revealed through his aggression and verbal attack towards Lennie. The verb exploded captures the deep-seated anger and frustration within George; further suggesting a volatile, almost volcanic eruption and outburst, that has been developing within him for a long time. Through his words we see an outlet for his frustrations and emotional suffering. George talks early on in the passage of his dream to be alone which in itself suggests the burden of their friendship in his mind. Furthermore, the repeated and overused first person pronoun: I throughout shows us how he fully he dreams of travelling by himself, unaccompanied. When George reels off a list of things he could do by himself, he over-uses the conjunctive and which suggests the fervency and passion of his dreams to break away from Lennie each item comes as a continuous and unbroken afterthought, to create the sense that the possibilities and freedom he could entertain by himself are limitless; and that within his mind, George sees himself as currently being chained and bound to Lennie. The short sentence and exclamation mark suggests the virulence of Georges anger towards Lennie at this moment in time I got you! Its sharp, cutting, direct and attacking, and reinforces the sense of Georges victimhood in the novel. However, Lennies reaction, as he passively kneels there in terror suggests that Georges extreme and acute emotional reaction is just that: an over-reaction, and that he is actually being deeply unfair towards Lennie. The use of the second person pronoun you shows us how George may see himself as a victim, but it could also reveal that he is scape-goating Lennie, and that he is effortlessly passing blame onto Lennie for his frustrations and unattained dreams.

Furthermore, a forceful, accusatory tone is created by the lengthy, unbroken speech which suggests that he could be being unreasonable towards Lennie, and is using this opportunity to ventilate his anger and frustrations, where there may be no other outlet available. Lennies reaction to him on his knees drawn with terror reinforces the sense that George is being unfair to him as Lennie is emotionally vulnerable and unable to defend himself; therefore George is scolding him as a parent would do a child, possibly unfairly. Nonetheless, Steinbeck still uses language to control our sympathies towards George in this passage, even if he is over-reacting and placing blame on Lennie. Steinbeck suggests that there may be an emotional imbalance in their relationship the emotional one-sidedness of their relationship is reflected in the one-sidedness of Georges speech. This one-sideness suggests that they have different emotional depths and that, despite their co-dependency, they are very emotionally distanced from one another, which exposes Georges loneliness, emotional isolation and suffering. Furthermore, the one-sideness of Georges unbroken monologue tells us that his outburst is involuntary and uncontrolled, and it is revealing of the depths of his emotional torment. This sympathy is further reinforced, when a softer side emerges to his character, when, after he verbally attacks Lennie, he is quick to realise he is being unfair he recognises the anguished effects of his words on Lennie; which reveals to us that deep down George is connected to, and is sensitive of Lennies feelings; but Lennie is unable to do the same. George shows guilt, which is signalled by the adverb ashamedly when he looks ashamedly yet he never verbalises this apology to Lennie, which suggests that again he is mentally trapped, and emotionally isolated: there are no full words he can say to express, in ideas that Lennie can understand, the multi-faceted nature of his feelings on their relationship.

Example 3:

Explore how the language in the extract influences your view of George Extract taken from chapter 4
Take-aways: You can use this passage in the exam to explore the how the theme of emotional isolation, victims or hostility is reflected through Georges character

George was watching the door. He said ominously, Well, he throwing better watch out for Lennie. Lennie aint no fighter, but Lennies strong and quick and Lennie dont know rules. He and grunted both walked to the square table and sat down on one of the aggressive boxes/ He gathered some of the cards together and shuffled verbs used to them. project a The old man sat down on another box. Dont tell Curley I said menacing George takes none of this. Hed slough me. He just dont give a damn. image of control and the Wont ever get canned cause his old mans the boss. himself as lead controls George cut the cards and began turning them over, looking at the newest his own actions members on each one and throwing it down on a pile. He said This guy and those of the the ranch, curley sounds like a son-of-a-bitch to me. I dont like mean swampers: verbs they are both little guys walked sat vulnerable Seems to me like hes worse lately, said the swamper. He got down and married a couple of weeks ago. Wife lives over in the bosses susceptible to shuffled house. Seems like Curley is cockier n ever since he got show us how he maltreatment is asserting married. = way of himself in this covering their George grunted, Maybe hes showin off for his wife. new backs The swamper warmed to his gossip. You seen that glove on his environment left hand? Yeah I seen it.

Threateningly forewarning the men instilling fear towards Lennie creating a reputation for him

Georges character chp 4

Gameplaying, absorbedly suggests he is taking great time and care to make sure to say the right words to elicit the right amount of information out of the swamper

Well, that gloves fulla vaseline. Vaseline? What the hell for? Well I tell ya what Curley says hes keeping that hand for his casuallyand wife. pretended George studied the cards absorbedly. Thats a dirty thing to tell suggests that he is deliberately around, he said. concealing his The old man was reassured. He had drawn a derogatory. interest, but finds statement from George. He felt safe now, and he spoke more this information to confidently. Waitll you see Curleys wife. be significant and George cut the cards again and put out a solitaire lay, slowly and valuable shows us deliberatley, Purty? he asked casually. how socially savvy Yeah. Purty...but and aware George is he is sizing up and George studied his cards. But what? assessing the Well- she got the eye. situation Yeah? Married two weeks ago and got the eye? Maybe thats why Steinbeck shows Curleys pants is full of ants how this is needed I seen her give Slim the eye. Slims a jerkline skinner. Hell of a to survive in this nice fella. Slim dont need to wear no high-heeled boots on a hostile grain team. I seen her give Slim the eye. Curley never seen it. enviornment, 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 Curleys married... A tart.

 Threateningly forewarning the men ominously instilling fear towards Lennie creating a reputation for him Lennies strong and quick Lennie dont know rules. George takes control and the lead controls his own actions and those of the swampers: verbs walked sat down shuffled show us how he is asserting himself in this new environment throwing and grunted both aggressive verbs used to project a menacing image of himself as the newest members on the ranch, they are both vulnerable and susceptible to maltreatment = way of covering their backs Game-playing, absorbedly suggests he is taking great time and care to make sure to say the right words to elicit the right amount of information out of the swamper casuallyand pretended suggests that he is deliberately concealing his interest, but finds this information to be significant and valuable shows us how socially savvy and aware George is he is sizing up and assessing the situation Steinbeck shows how this is needed to survive in this hostile enviornment,

Example 4:

Explore how the language in the extract influences your view of Lennie
Extract taken from chapter 1 just after George gets angry with Lennie; Lennie threatens to run off

Take-aways: You can use this passage in the exam to explore the how the theme of friendship and dependency, is reflected through Georges character

Animalistic in his movement: captured by the verbs and adverbs: crawled slowly cautiously sat on his heels shows that Lennie is instinctual Use of question shows that Lennie is testing their friendship andis discerning how much George values it The repetition of I could suggests that he wants George to think that he is strong and capable enough to cope by himself

It was quite dark now, but the fire lighted the trunks of the trees and the curving branches overhead. Lennie crawled slowly and cautiously around the fire until he was close to George. He sat back on his heels. George turned the bean cans so that another side faced the fire. He pretended to be unaware of Lennie so close beside him. George, very softly. No answer. George! Whatta you want? I was only foolin, George. I dont want no ketchup. George still stared morosely at the fire. When I think of the swell time I could have without you, I go nuts. I never get no peace. Lennie still knelt. He looked off into the darkness across the river. George, you want I should go away and leave you alone? Where the hell could you go? Well, I could. I could go off into the hills there. Some place Id find a cave. Yeah? Howd you eat. You aint go no sense enough to find nothing to eat. Id find things, George. I dont need no nice food with ketchup. Id lay out in the sun and nobodyd hurt me. An if I foun a mouse, I could keep it. Nobodyd take it away from me.

Lennie says he can go into the hills there the preposition there shows us the limitations of his imagination, and also the unlikely hood of his survival. Links to dependency.

Like George, Lennie has a similar need to be on his own with nobodyd, so that he doesnt have to compromise his actions. The use of repetition of nobodyd reinforces this dream with clarity in his mind The repeated first person pronoun I suggest how Lennie is precoccupied and fixated on himself

Lennie is quite cunning and can be manipulative, albeit in a simplistic way, for simplistic gains Repetition of right shows us again how Lennie is testing Georges devotion to him

George looked quickly and searchingly at him. I been mean, aint I? I you don want me I can go off in the hills an find a cave. I can go away anytime. No look! I was jus foolin, Lennie. Cause i want you to stay with me. Trouble with mice is you always kill em. He paused. Tell you what Ill do, Lennie. First chance I get Ill give you a pup. Maybe you wouldnt kill it. Thatd be better than mice. And you could pet it harder. Lennie avoided the bate. He had sensed his advantage. If you dont want me, you only jus go to say so, and Ill go off in those hills right there right up in those hills and live by myself. An I wont get no mice stole from me. George said I want you to stay with me, Lennie. Jesus Christ, Repetition somebodyd shoot you for a coyote if you was by yourself. No, of George you stay with me. Your aunt Clara wouldnt like you running shows us off by yourself, even if she is dead. the childLennie spoke craftily, Tell me like you done before. like nature Tell about what? of Lennie About the rabbits pleadingly George snapped, You aint gonna put nothing over on me. persuasive use of his Lennie pleaded, Come on, George. Tell me. Please George. Like name you done before.

Example exam response

Steinbeck presents Lennie as animalistic which is captured by the verbs and

adverbs to describe his movement: crawled slowly cautiously sat on his heels which reinforces the sense of Lennie being instinctive; furthermore, his actions are centred and gravitated around George, which suggests that he is like a pet, and George is his master. It also suggests that Lennie needs Georges company, and finds it difficult to interpret the need of Georges silence and his desire for personal space.

In the sentence: George, very softly. No answer. George! The repeated word George shows us how he needs constant attention and stimulation; the increase in tone from softly to a raised tone, captured by the exclamation mark, shows us that he is centred upon his own needs, and fails to recognise the significance of emotion behind Georges silence and his desire for personal space and silence. This links to the ideas of friendship, and reinforces ideas of physical closeness VS emotional distance.

Furthermore, the of the question George, you want I should go away and leave

you alone? shows us that Lennie is testing his and Georges friendship and how much George values it. Lennie is presented here as crafty in the way in which he engages George in a type of game; Lennie avoided the bate. He had sensed his advantage. The verb use avoided and sensed as well as the noun advantage Lennie is quite cunning and can be manipulative, albeit in a simplistic way, for simplistic gains the simplicity of his desires is revealled through his desire for George to tell him a simple story about their friendship, hopes and dreams.

Frequently Asked questions....

Supporting your confidence when in the exam.

Frequently Asked questions

How much should I write for each section? There is no set amount that you should be writing

on the exam; some students make their points more concisely than others.
Make sure that you make as many possible points

that you can within the allowed time limits.

Make sure your ideas are fully developed by

linking language features to what we learn about key themes, ideas and/or character, commenting on the effect on the reader and on Steinbecks intentions.

Frequently Asked questions

For question part (b) I need to refer to one other part

of the novel. How long should this other part be?

You should aim to find an extract of up to 2 pages Any thing longer means that you may start to discuss ideas

vaguely, and start to lose your close language focus. What is important is that your response focuses on just ONE part of the novel, which addresses the question, and allows you to comment closely on examples of language. As much as you may wish to show off your overall knowledge of the novel, do NOT refer to more than one part of the novel, as you will NOT be given marks for it.

Frequently Asked questions

For question part (b) I need to refer to one other part of the

novel. How does the examiner know what extract I am referring to?

You should make it clear in the opening of the response which part

of the novel you are talking about. Offer a brief description of where you are taking your chosen extract from, and what happens in this extract.

Examples: The extract I have chosen is at the start of section 4; this extract

outlines Crooks room by describing in detail the objects in his room.

The extract I have chosen is part way through section 3, when Slim

first enters the bunkhouse; there is a brief description of his physical appearance, and our attention is drawn towards the ways in which the other characters view him.

Frequently Asked questions

What are the key differences between a language

response and literature response?

There should be no difference in commenting on the writers

use of language in the English Language and English Literature paper. Where language analysis is marked on both papers, the approaches are essentially the same. You will be using the same close language skills that you used even in the poetry exam. Unlike the Literature OMAM paper, you do not need to refer to historical context, or to different parts of the novel your responses should be sharply focussed on the passage you are commenting on. In question 2 when you choose a passage from elsewhere in the novel, stick very closely to the wording in this passage.

Frequently Asked questions

What characters / themes are unlikely to come up? The paper was newly introduced last June. Last June: Section (a) Extract was on Slims character Section (b) How another male character is presented in one other part

of the novel.

In January 2012: Section (a) Extract was on George and Lennies hopes and dreams Section (b) What we learn about hopes and dreams in another part of

the novel.

Therefore, it is unlikely that you will have a passage on Slim, or on the

themes of hopes and dreams. However, if you are asked to focus on a different character, you can still discuss this characters hopes and dreams if it is relevant.

Frequently Asked questions

I know that I am supposed to refer to Steinbecks

language techniques. In order to reach the top marks, do I need to comment on things like simile ,metaphor etc?

Whilst you should be referring to language features in

your response, you are awarded marks for how well you can comment on what language tells us about a character, setting or theme. Therefore, even if you dont use the technical term, but still talk about the effects of a word choice, then you will be awarded marks. Remember: the exam is looking for you to comment on how a word is used to enhance a readers views about a character or theme.

Frequently Asked questions

How detailed should the language analysis

be? Should I only be focussing on specific words?

Language analysis does not only have to be

focussed on individual words. Also talk about any aspect of language used by Steinbeck (i.e. The use of short sentences, lists, imperatives, statements / facts, questions, imagery, the use of dialogue, verbs, adverbs etc) so long as you mention why they are used.

Frequently Asked questions

The Assessment Objective, Ao3, encourages

me to comment on language technique. If I comment on things like punctuation use, is this alright?
Yes. This is encouraged. When you are closely

analysing an extract, if punctuation use is important i.e. if it tells us about how a character is feeling, or influences our responses to a character / theme in any way, then by all means comment on it.