P142 “’You ain’t fit to lick the boots of no rabbit.’”

1. P142 “’You ain’t fit to lick the boots of no rabbit.’” p19 “The rabbits hurried noiselessly for cover” P94 “’I can still tend the rabbits, George?’” p32 “’Tell about the rabbits in the cages’”

2. George talking to Lennie just before he shoots him: “His [George’s] voice was monotonous, had no emphasis” Lennie listening to the dream just before he is shot: “‘For the rabbits,’ Lennie shouted... Lennie giggled with happiness.” George just after he kills Lennie: “George shivered and looked at the gun.” Slim’s comments to George when he realises what he has done: “Slim said: ‘You hadda, George. I swear you hadda’”

3. Language

4. “dragging his feet a little, the way a bear drags its paws” p19 “’If he finds out what a crazy bastard you are’”p23 “’They let the nigger come in that night’” p41 “he moved with a majesty only achieved by royalty” p55 “Curley stepped over to Lennie like a terrier” p90 “his eyes… seemed to glitter with intensity” p99 “Crooks had retired into the terrible protective dignity of the negro” p111 “George’s voice was almost a whisper” p148

5. Crooks’ moment of acceptance disappears when Curley’s wife insults him: “Crooks had retired into the terrible protective dignity of the negro”. The word ‘protective’ shows us that Crooks is trying to stop himself from being hurt any more. D

6. Crooks’ moment of acceptance disappears when Curley’s wife insults him: “Crooks had retired into the terrible protective dignity of the negro”. The word ‘terrible’ tells the reader that John Steinbeck thinks that what Curley’s wife does is totally unacceptable. C

7. Crooks’ moment of acceptance disappears when Curley’s wife insults him: “Crooks had retired into the terrible protective dignity of the negro”. This is a rare time when Steinbeck uses the word ‘negro’ rather than ‘nigger’. That is because it is the voice of the author and he wants to show respect for black people. The fact that he describes Crooks’ reaction in racial terms tells us that Steinbeck is saying that many other black people face similar treatment to Crooks. B

8. Crooks’ moment of acceptance disappears when Curley’s wife insults him: “Crooks had retired into the terrible protective dignity of the negro”. The phrase ‘protective dignity’ could be interpreted as an outer barrier that Crooks wears when he is confronted with racism. He is forced to act in a way that conforms to what society expects of him because the consequences of speaking out could be dangerous for him. A

9. Crooks’ moment of acceptance disappears when Curley’s wife insults him: “Crooks had retired into the terrible protective dignity of the negro”. The word ‘retired’ suggests that this could be the last time that Crooks ever allows himself to befriend white people. ‘Retired’ has a sense of permanence about and Curley’s wife’s insults could have forced Crooks into an emotional position he will never return from. Steinbeck shows the powerful effect cruel words can have on people. A*