To live off the fatta the lan
John Steinbeck was a native Californian who grew up to be a journalist. He did, though, also work on building sites and farms. Steinbeck understood the need to achieve The American Dream. He witnessed Stock -market Crash and the resulting Great Depression (poverty) at first hand. He saw the desperation of men who were forced to leave their families and go in search of jobs (unemployment) wherever they could find them. He witnessed their terrible living conditions (homelessness) and the real fight for survival.
Loneliness (Soledad means loneliness in Spanish). Hopes and dreams (which are all just dreams) Racism Isolation Relationships
George Lennie Candy Curley Curley s wife Crooks Slim Carlson
Lennie s obsession with all things soft mice, rabbits, puppies and. Candy s dog Lennie is described as various animals a bear he walked heavily, dragging his feet a little, the way a bear drags his paws ; he snorts like a horse; behaves like a terrier (Steinbeck uses animal imagery to show Lennie s wildness, strength and loyalty to George). Lennie s Aunt Clara reappears as a rabbit.
Nature, although seeming beautiful, can have a dark side the ranch is by a pool and there is death everywhere including Lennie. Survival of the fittest Lennie the bigger animal kills all the smaller animals (including Curley s Wife). Red is seen as a symbol of danger Curley s Wife wears a red dress, has red nails and wears red lipstick. George plays solitaire a game for one player.
Throughout the novel Steinbeck hints at what will happen later: George checking that Lennie knows where to go if there is trouble Lennie s obsession with soft things Lennie s habit of killing small things
Candy only has one this limits his ability to work and makes him dependent on others. He keeps his job (as swamper because the accident happened on the ranch). Lennie s hands like petting things; he is an amazing worker and he uses one hand to crush Curley s hand (who famously wears a glove on one with vaseline inside for his wife), kill animals accidentally and kills Curley s wife. Curley, who is described as handy as he fights and uses this to dominate people even though he is quite puny. Curley s Wife her hands on her hips, her red painted nails.
Mice Rabbits Candy s dog A puppy Curley s wife Lennie Death of The American Dream and Hope
George Small and quick he could survive well on his own Looks after Lennie He gets irritated and frustrated with Lennie but is conscientious about his responsibility to him. He can be optimistic (especially when Candy offers them money) He always has Lennie with him it s a bit like a marriage Lennie Dependent on George Childlike He s full of contradictions described as dumb by Curley s wife yet is manipulative with George He is a serial killer (just not all human) He does the work of two men so is of benefit to George Is a companion to George
Candy Crooks The swamper Has a faithful companion: his dog, (Candy s dog again no name of its own). The only black man on the ranch and the only man with his own room and personal possessions. He is completely lost without his dog. He has compensation money which he is willing to invest in George and Lennie s dream ranch. A proud aloof man Educated (books in his room). He is skilled He stinks and he is lonely.
Curley The boss s son handy A bully No one likes him His reputation would be ruined if people found out that Lennie had broken his hand. He is always looking for his wife. Curley s wife Flirtatious, very lonely. The only woman on the ranch and the only character without a name of her own. Had dreams of becoming an actress but ended up with Curley. Always looking for attention and company (often uses excuse of looking for Curley). All the men are aware of how dangerous she is, but all are drawn to her (especially Lennie).
Carlson Slim Nasty Shoots Candy s dog. His gun is used to shoot the dog and Lennie. Completely insensitive Rather stupid never realises that George stole his gun to kill Lennie. The jerkline skinner (controls a team of horses). He comes across as the boss and is respected by the others. He supports Carlson when he kills the dog and George after the shooting of Lennie.
A tragedy From the opening pages we can see that it is all going to end in tears. George knows that Lennie will get into trouble. Everyone in the novel is unhappy and by the end of the novel all are even more so! The best laid schemes o mice and men Gang aft agley And leave us nought but grief and pain For promised joy OMAM is a quote from a Robert Burns poem which means things often go wrong