Could be a Curley or Carlson question. If it does turn out to be Carlson, there are a few things you could mention:
- He represents the
archetypal ranch hand because he feels the inability to feel compassion which creates suffering of his harsh and degrading existence. Steinbeck uses his character to show that the suffering of hardened and emotionless ranch workers should be pitied.
- He says "It's darken'n hell in the bunkhouse" which is very important, because it reflects the lives of the ranch hands, their lack of hope and the sadness of their lives in the bunkhouse.
- He is also known to be
selfish and shows a lack of empathy and is detached from the other ranch hands (doesn't feel Candy's pain or understand why George isn't happy that Lennie dies)
I'm not too confident about it but I think that if you interpret it in your own way, and literally write down what comes in your head. You might get the best marks because examiners want something original! Good luck!!