AQA English Literature exam, May 2012

I am so simple but in the higher tier where you get a section A and B to answer for Of mice and men, do you set it as one essay or two?

b) How do you think Steinbeck uses the character of Candy in the novel as a whole to convey important ideas about society at that time?

Candy is a very significant and important character in the novel. He reveals ideas about society at that time such as little tolerance towards people with disabilities, the view on women and a man’s status in society.

Candy is the old swamper who has only one hand because of an accident that happened to him in the ranch. Candy has a low status and his nervousness while talking to George shows he’s scared of losing his job because he most likely won’t find another one. ‘You won’t tell Curley nothing I said?’ ‘He felt safe now and spoke more confidently.’ Candy is an example of how old and disabled people were treated in America at that time. Candy is old, with one hand and he is a swamper. Slim is capable of driving twenty mules with a single line to the leader, well-respected character whose job is a jerkline skinner to whom other ranchers come for advice. He’s also referred to as ‘the prince of the ranch’ meaning that more skilled and stronger people had more opportunities at that time.

The views on women in America in society at that time are shown through Candy’s character. ‘Well. I think Curley’s married . . . a tart.’ The idea that Candy refers to Curley’s wife as a tart, a woman who does not have a good reputation means the perception of women in the 1930’s was different. Steinbeck doesn’t give Curley’s wife a name in the book which means that he thinks women weren’t important so they don’t deserve a name. Curley’s wife is also being labeled as ‘trouble’ and ‘jailbait’ in the novel. The reader thinks of her as an attention-seeker whose only interest is other men but Curley’s wife is just as lonely as the other characters.

One of the other main themes about society in America at that time is the theme of loneliness. After Carlson refers Candy’s old dog to a ‘stinky hound’ and shoots him without much sensitivity. Candy becomes lonely after its death and his dog seems to have been his only loyal companion left. He feels dejected as he says ‘I wish somebody would shoot me when I become useless’. After his beloved dog dies Candy asks George if he can join his and Lennie’s dream of owning a place. ‘You see what they done to my dog tonight?’ ‘When they can me here I wish somebody’d shoot me.’ These quotes show that Candy is a lonely character and wishes to escape for a better life.

My tutor told me that it’s a solid B, so can you help me improve it to A/A*?

Thank you for your replies. I’d really appreciate it if you can help me mark and improve my answer to Section B from my exam.

The full question comes with part a) – a passage from the book for analysis and the whole question is worth 30 marks but you can still mark the one I answered /I hope/.

b) How do you think Steinbeck uses the character of Candy in the novel as a whole to convey important ideas about society at that time?

Candy is a very significant and important character in the novel. He reveals ideas about society at that time such as little tolerance towards people with disabilities, the view on women and a man’s status in society.

Candy is the old swamper who has only one hand because of an accident that happened to him in the ranch. Candy has a low status and his nervousness while talking to George shows he’s scared of losing his job because he most likely won’t find another one. ‘You won’t tell Curley nothing I said?’ ‘He felt safe now and spoke more confidently.’ Candy is an example of how old and disabled people were treated in America at that time. Candy is old, with one hand and he is a swamper. Slim is capable of driving twenty mules with a single line to the leader, well-respected character whose job is a jerkline skinner to whom other ranchers come for advice. He’s also referred to as ‘the prince of the ranch’ meaning that more skilled and stronger people had more opportunities at that time.

The views on women in America in society at that time are shown through Candy’s character. ‘Well. I think Curley’s married . . . a tart.’ The idea that Candy refers to Curley’s wife as a tart, a woman who does not have a good reputation means the perception of women in the 1930’s was different. Steinbeck doesn’t give Curley’s wife a name in the book which means that he thinks women weren’t important so they don’t deserve a name. Curley’s wife is also being labeled as ‘trouble’ and ‘jailbait’ in the novel. The reader thinks of her as an attention-seeker whose only interest is other men but Curley’s wife is just as lonely as the other characters.

One of the other main themes about society in America at that time is the theme of loneliness. After Carlson refers Candy’s old dog to a ‘stinky hound’ and shoots him without much sensitivity. Candy becomes lonely after its death and his dog seems to have been his only loyal companion left. He feels dejected as he says ‘I wish somebody would shoot me when I become useless’. After his beloved dog dies Candy asks George if he can join his and Lennie’s dream of owning a place. ‘You see what they done to my dog tonight?’ ‘When they can me here I wish somebody’d shoot me.’ These quotes show that Candy is a lonely character and wishes to escape for a better life.

My tutor told me that it’s a solid B, so can you help me improve it to A/A*?