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George Milton
Migrant Laborer Protagonist (1 of 2)
Weakness: Needs to feel better about his own ordinariness.
Lennie Small
Migrant Laborer Protagonist (2 of 2)
The source of the novel's conflict
CRIPPLE: Mentally handicapped (lack of adult intelligence)
Static character - throughout, relying on George to fuel is hope & save him from trouble
Last name vs. Stature = OPPOSITE
Lennie does NOT progress with the story.
Animal Imagery Associated with Animals He is often compared to a BEAR with his huge size & strength. His hands are described as PAWS. Snorts like a HORSE at the stream. Circles like a TERRIER when he does not want to bring George the dead mouse. His loyalty to George is frequently described like that of a DOG (Terrier). Always associated with RABBITS & MICE.
Does not understand his own strength; Is not violent by nature but has the potential for violence. His love of petting soft things, such as small animals, dresses, & people's hair, leads to disaster. (^) DREAM: He & George share a dream It is his innocence that keeps the dream alive throughout the novel until his death. His weakness dooms the dream of the farm.
Arms hang loosely at his sides & do not swing.
Most Complex Mouse like Has Brains A Survivor Adaptable Quick-witted Ambition Short-tempered
Good Man Compassionate
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With the destruction of his dream, George loses the chance to become a better man.
Takes responsibility for not only Lennie's life but also his death.
Bear Bear PAWS Horse Terrier
Rabbits Mice
Dogs
Large, pale eyes
Shapeless Face Childlike Pure Goodness
Heavy Walk Drags his feet
Least Dynamic Gentle Flat Character Kind Mild Mental Disability Simplistic Good Worker Totally dependent on George
Huge man (Tall) Wide, rounded Shoulders
Enthusiastic Innocent
George does progress as the story progresses. (Unlike Lennie)
Sharp, strong features Dark of Face Restless Eyes Thin & bony nose
Pure of Heart High Moral Character Need for Companionship
Small
Small, strong Hands Loyal
Lennie's Caretaker
He is like a mouse: "small & quick, dark of face, with restless eyes & sharp strong features.
Weakness: He yells at Lennie from time to time.
Every part of him was defined: small, strong hands, slender arms, a thin & bony nose." Most complex of the characters b/c he has not accepted his present lot in life. DREAM: Has a dream to save money, buy a small farm, & be his own boss
Quick
Slender Arms
Large, strong Hands (paws)
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Slim
MASTER Skinner or Mule Driver of the Ranch
Is the really heroic man in the novel
Slim is the only character who seems to be at peace with himself Slim does not feel the need to wear high-heeled boots! (Unlike Curley) Slim is the consummate example of understanding & gentleness beneath a wise & experienced exterior. Emphasis is placed on Slim's skill & craftsmanship; Slim has moral authority over the other men. Slim invites confidence by accepting people as they are. Slim respects Lennie's hard work & consoles George when Lennie dies. Serves as the fearless, decision-maker
He alone realizes, at the end of the novel, the reason for George’s decision
Candy
Ranch Handyman “the swamper”
CRIPPLE: Lost his hand in a ranch accident
Candy, represents a segment of American society because of old age & physical handicap. Worries about his future on the ranch. Fears that his age is making him useless, 1st to befriend George & Lennie at Soledad. (^) DREAM: Offers to contribute his savings of $350 to buy the farm. DREAM: He is sweetly hopeful of joining Lennie & George on their dream farm. He lets the secret slip to both Crooks & Curley's wife. His old sheep dog will become a symbol of Lennie before the novel ends.
"His ear heard more than was to said to him, and his slow speech had overtones not of thought, but of understanding beyond thought."
Described as something of a living legend: "he moved with a majesty only achieved by royalty & master craftsmen".
Old Fearful Humble Regretful Weary
Tall Respected by all Master of his Trade
Hopeful Passive
Long Black Hair Perceptive Superior workman "God-like eyes" Quiet "Doer" not a "Dreamer" 35 or 50 years old. Serious Demeanor Not flashy (BOOTS) Kind Insightful
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Curley
Son of the Ranch Owner ANTAGONIST
CRIPPLE: Acquires a mangled hand during the novel.
The pugnacious Curley is the little guy who loves to flaunt his power & status. Married within the previous 2 weeks, he spends much of his time looking for his pretty wife. Wears high-heeled boots to distinguish himself from the field hands. (Unlike Slim) A small man, his is always looking for a fight, especially with men who are bigger than he. He prides himself on having been a welterweight boxer. Rumored to be a champion prizefighter Eager to fight anyone he perceives as a threat to his self-image Tendency to provoke conflict, Insecure of his size Seeks to compensate for his small stature by picking fights with larger men Lennie stands up to Curley & crushes his hand in his own grip. Later Curley organizes the posse to find Lennie after he has killed Curley's wife.
Curley's wife
Curley's wife VICTIM
Only female in the novel. Only character in the novel who is given NO name. Steinbeck depicts Curley’s wife as a victim not as a villain.
Married Curley a couple of weeks ago. She knows her husband Curley is mean & she does not like him.
She is said by the men to give them "the eye," The men brand her as a "tramp" ("tart" & a "looloo") She is stereotyped as a "tart". Indeed, she plays the vamp, which enrages her husband Curley. George tells Lennie to avoid her, calling her "poison" & "jailbait". She wonders around the ranch searching for some human contact. She taunts & provokes the ranch hands into talking with her. (^) DREAM: Like the ranch-hands, she is desperately lonely & has broken dreams of a better life. She once had dreams of being a movie star.
Craves someone to talk to Unhappy
Little Man Little Man Syndrome Confrontational Young Coward Boastful Brown Face Cocky Volatile Temper Brown Eyes Aggressive Extremely Insecure Tightly curled hair Angry Jealous Mean-spirited Out of Control
She represents the temptation of female sexuality in a male-dominated world.
Pretty Flirtatious Red lips Viewed as a Troublemaker
Hot-Headed SHOW OFF
Red Fingernails Full of self-pity Heavy make-up Pathetically Lonely Hair hangs in tight sausage curls No Friends Red shoes w/ Ostrich feathers Craves attention
