Authority (Theme)

Question 1

What 4 topics would you talk about?

Answer 1

Crooks’ and Curley’s Wife
George
Slim
The boss and Curley

Question 2

Crooks’ and Curley’s Wife - Discrimination

Answer 2

“I could get you strung up on a tree so easy it ain’t even funny”
‘doorway’ Curley’s wife never enters the room –> Women’s position in the 1930s

Question 3

The character of Slim

Answer 3

Slim naturally has authority as he’s highly skilled and less replaceable than the others

Question 4

Slim

Answer 4

1. Slim’s economic power goes against the natural order of the hierarchy of the ranch workers.
2. “Slim don’t need to wear no high-heeled boots”
3. “He ain’t mean”
4. “Prince of ranch”

Question 5

The Boss and Curley over the people on the ranch

Answer 5

1. Landowners had ultimate authority. There was an exploitation of cheap labour in the 1930s
2. “pugnacious”
3. “Won’t ever get caned”
4. Curley: Continous interrogative questions
5. THE BOSS: “He wore a black Stetson hat and high-heeled boots with spurs to prove he was not a labouring man”
6. Like his father, Curley wears “high-heeled boots” to mark his wealth and status, and most likely to lessen the smallness of his stature

Question 6

George’s authority over Lennie

Answer 6

Heightens the vulnerability of the mentally ill. George has no other authority in his life.
“Think I’d allow you to carry your own work card?”
‘Lennie looks at George helplessly instructions’
“George ain’t gonna let me tend no rabbits now”