Carlson

Question 1

What is Carlson used for?

Answer 1

• To warn against how the AD is desensitising human
• To warn/illustrate how the GD is making workers forget empathy and understanding
• To illustrate how power was linked to violence and not skill
• Show what everyday life was like for itinerant workers

Question 2

Analysis: He didn’t look at old Candy, who still faced the wall. Carlson found a little cleaning rod in the bag and a can of oil. He laid them on his bed and then brought out the pistol

Answer 2

• Doesn’t understand what the dog meant to Candy
• As he doesn’t see value in those who cannot work
  • Due to the AD indoctrinating people into only working

Question 3

Forced desensitiation of the GD

Answer 3

• ‘Now what the hell ya suppose is eatin’ them two up’
  • Carlson chapter 6
• ‘All stiff with rheumatism’
  • Carlson chapter 3
• Only see dog for his physical ailment and not the companionship he provides Candy
• Being an itinerant worker, moving around constantly means that he forgot how human interaction
  • lost empathy and human understanding
• Carlson is a typical ranch worker therefore shows habituality it was
• Warning how GD was ruining workers lives

Question 4

Steinbeck characterises Carlson as someoen with the ‘Survival of the fittest’ attitude to show how dangerous it is.

Answer 4

• ‘Got a Luger’
• Carlson Chapter 3
• Him and whit are both minor charcaters of the ranch
• Carlson is the same hierarchy as Whitt
• Yet due to him owning a gun he wields more power
• Which shows that power is linked to violence
• ‘Ill put the old devil out of his misery’
  • Carlson Chapter 3
• shows desensitisation of humans
• His action highlights how efficiency and implementation of Social Darwinism can override compassion