Of mice and men

Characters george

physically ‘sharp, strong’ reflects mentally, quick whited

Slim describes as “smart guy” - intelligent

Colloquial, violent language "crazy bastard" -Emphasize working class

drinks water cupped in hands, cautious, responsible

Friend to Lennie, looks after “You do bad things and I got to get you out.” - caring

snaps at lennie “The hell with the rabbits.” - short temper

works hard, cares for Lennie, for dream of place “We'd belong there”, at end, admits knew dream unattainable “I think I know'd we'd never do her.” - only believing in dream to give hope to Lennie

Foresee death of wife, sees as “piece of jail bait”- wise

Killing Lennie and with

it, dream, strength

end novel alone

Lennie

large man, contrast to name “small’ – physically strong

physically compared to bear “the way a bear drags his paws.”- Powerful, strong

Suggests not quick witted, doesn’t understand people

Described drinking from pool “like a horse” - careless, needs George to look after

'Lennie, who had been watching, imitated George exactly.' - admiration for George

Crooks suggest G won’t return, demands “who hurt George?” - defensive

George reminds him constantly of “dream” - forgetful

dependence on George creates sympathy

simple mind, focused on dream of “tend the rabbits” - similar to child liking soft things, also simplistic mind of a child

leads to killing Curley’s wife

pets her soft hair, leads to him shaking and killing - fundamental inability to understand own strength

concerned done “a bad thing” - can’t see damage done, depends on George for morality

never bad intention or “meanness”, - kind at heart

Slim

Works “jerkline skinner”, excellent at job

gains him respect as “prince” of ranch, majestic and profound

others seek advice “his word was taken on any subject” wise

“slim’s opinions were law” - superior

defends George and Lennie against Curley: “you just try and get this guy canned”. - represents justice in a vigilante society

calm and collective character “Slim’s calm invitation to confidence.”, seems to have peaceful aura

goes “quietly over to her” – sensitive, sympathise, respectful

reassures George - "A guy got to sometimes.", - understands relationship, appreciates the difficulty of George's position

curley

meets Lennie ‘his hands closed into fists’ - aggressive and easily angered

‘calculating’ - sly, always ready to start a fight

‘he’s handy’-pg 27 –good at fighting

acts like the boss ‘you speak when spoken to’, controlling because status as boss’ son

distinguishes himself with “high-heeled boots” – believes superior to field hands

insecure about “little”, picks fight with larger men to compensate for small size

over protective of wife "You seen a girl around here?", possessive suspicious

only with wife after death, “I’m gonna shot the guts outta that big bastard myself” -more concerned for revenge unloving

curley’s wife

Property of Curley, referred to as ‘curley’s wife’ - no individual identity, inferior to men

tells Lenny “I don’t like Curley” - unhappy marriage

feels undervalued “none of them cares how I gotta live”, longs for someone to care for

joins outcasts in barn - lonely, willing to speak to anyone

despite marriage “a tart”, flirtatious

expected letter from Hollywood, ‘I never got that letter’, deluded to think she would

dream involves “nice clothes” vain

wears “red dress” colour red implies danger,

george describes as ‘jail bait’, tempts men to do bad

shows vulnerability to Lennie, ‘I coulda made somthin’ of myself’, feels failure in reaching dream

crooks

introduced “the negro stable buck”, - casual use, racism acceptable

represents black segregation in 1930’s USA, ‘ it’s jus a busting black nigger speaking’ – second class citizen

sleeps in ‘Long box filled with straw with his blankets thrown down’ – treated like a animal, in the barn with animals

owns ‘single barreled shotgun’ – prepared to defend himself

‘a guy needs somebody to be near him’ – Crook’s loneliness

sees that L G escape Loneliness ‘its jus bein with another guy’, -admire, long for a freind

defied by black skin, ‘nigger’ - not real name

own room near stables, possession of “books” shows intelligence, lonely reads instead of socialize

copy of ‘california civil code’ - concerned about rights

sees men come and go, no one achieves dream, ‘Nobody never gets no land’ - cynical of the dreams possibility

candy

He is oldest on ranch, “old man”. Knows wil be put “on the county” when to old to work

speaking of Crooks “stable bucks a nigger” - racism

Companionship with dog, “rag footed sheep dog” – desperate for company

gives in to Carlson "Awright—take 'im." – weak, hopeless

regrets not killing dog “I ought to have shot that dog myself” – coward for leaving at mercy of others

Swamper with “stock-like wrist but no hand” - harsh ranch life

suggests leaving will to G and L “got no relatives or nothing” – no where to go, alone

lack of purpose, joins dream - offers hope, stops sense of loneliness.

stands up to Curley’s wife “We know what we got” – dream gives new confidence

when sees curley’s wife “poor bastard” – knows Lennie victim, understanding, no sympathy for wife

	Created by sionedjs over 10 years ago

Note on of mice and men, created by sionedjs on 18/05/2014.

of mice and men