Of Mice and Men Themes and Character

Of Mice and Men Themes and Character

1. Characters

   • Lennie
     • Remembers things he wants to e.g. Tending Rabbits
     • Doesn't know his own strength
     • Very reliant on George, childlike qualities
   • George
     • Sensible, protective of Lennie
     • Has dreams, but doesn't like people seeing them, hides any emotion
   • Candy
     • emotional when his dog dies
     • old, doesn't involve himself in much
   • Curley
     • Fights bigger men to show his strength
     • thin, brown eyed
     • Protective of wife, doesn't want anyone talking to her
   • Carlson
     • Powerful, big stomached
     • Forceful to get what he wants
       • Shooting candys dog
   • Boss
     • Suspicious
     • Described as 'not bad' by ranch workers
   • Curleys wife
     • Desperate for attention
     • Lonely, makes a big effort for people to like and possibly fancy her
   • Slim
     • "Big Tall Skinner"
     • Understanding Towards george
     • Candy can have any one of his pups
   • Whit
     • Young, labouring
   • Crooks
     • Shut off, in his own space
     • Reads a lot
     • protective, can come across aggressive

2. Themes

   • Friendship
     • Important in Great depression
     • "But I wouldn't eat none George, I'd leave it all for you
       • only interest is his friend
       • wants to keep Georges support
     • "Sure a hell of a good worker"
       • George protecting Lennie
       • support his frined
       • Very hard for someone like Lennie to get a job in great depression
     • "Candy you can have any one of them pups you want"
       • Choice in great depression was amazing
       • strong friendship
   • Dreams and plans
     • Lennie and George dream of having land
       • Candy dreams of sharing their land
     • Crooks dreams of being treated equally, sharing the bunk house e.t.c
     • Curleys wife dreams of running away and becoming famous
   • Power
     • George has power over Lennie
       • Makes decisions for him
       • Tells him what to do
       • Finds work for him
     • Curly has power over ranch workers and his wife
       • Rnach workers dislike him
         • Always wants fights
         • harsh tone means they don't want to speak to him
       • His wife wants to run away
         • He makes no time for her