Of Mice and Men (Junior Cert English): Revision Notes
Characters
Lennie Small
Lennie stands as one of the most memorable characters in Steinbeck's novella, though he remains largely unchanged throughout the story. His character can be understood through several key traits that define his entire existence.
Physical and mental characteristics Lennie possesses extraordinary physical strength, which becomes both a blessing and a curse throughout the narrative. However, this physical power contrasts sharply with his mental limitations, creating a character who is simultaneously powerful and vulnerable. His love for petting soft things reveals his gentle, childlike nature, yet this innocent desire repeatedly leads to dangerous situations.
Relationship with George The bond between Lennie and George forms the emotional heart of the story. Lennie shows complete devotion to his friend and clings desperately to their shared vision of owning a farm. This dream gives Lennie hope and purpose, making him a compelling figure who draws readers' sympathy despite his limitations.
Lennie's relationship with George is unique in the novella's harsh world. While other characters experience isolation and loneliness, Lennie has unwavering companionship, which makes his ultimate fate even more tragic.
Literary significance Steinbeck crafts Lennie as a deliberately simple character to serve the novella's broader purposes. His innocence and helplessness make readers sympathetic to his fate, while his unchanging nature ensures that the story's tragic ending feels inevitable from the beginning. Lennie represents pure goodness in a harsh world, making his destruction all the more powerful and heartbreaking.
Lennie's static character serves a crucial literary purpose - he acts as a moral barometer that reveals the cruelty and corruption of the world around him. His inability to change or adapt ultimately seals his tragic destiny.
George Milton
Unlike his companion, George demonstrates the capacity for growth and change, making him one of the story's most complex characters.
Protective nature and devotion George's primary defining trait is his unwavering commitment to protecting Lennie. Despite his occasional frustration and short temper, he never abandons his responsibility to his friend. His very first words in the story - warning Lennie about drinking too much water - establish the protective tone that characterises their entire relationship.
Character development George undergoes significant emotional growth throughout the novella. Through his conversation with Slim, readers learn about a crucial moment in George's past when he once took advantage of Lennie for entertainment.
Character Growth Example: George's Past Mistake
George confesses to Slim that he once told Lennie to jump into the Sacramento River, knowing that Lennie couldn't swim. When Lennie nearly drowned, George realised the cruelty of his actions. This moment marks George's transformation from someone who exploited Lennie's vulnerability to someone who protects it.
This revelation shows George's moral development, as he learned from this experience that exploiting the vulnerable is wrong. This realisation shapes his later understanding that the world often preys upon the weak.
Dreams versus reality At the story's beginning, George maintains an idealistic belief in their shared dream of farm ownership. He genuinely believes in the possibility of creating a safe haven where he and Lennie can live free from trouble. However, as the story progresses, George faces the harsh reality that such dreams cannot survive in their cruel world. When he ultimately shoots Lennie, George both saves his friend from a worse fate and acknowledges the death of their impossible dream.
Candy
Candy's character embodies the fear of ageing and becoming useless in a society that values only productivity and strength.
Fear of abandonment As an ageing ranch hand with only one hand, Candy lives in constant fear that the boss will declare him useless and force him to leave. His concern about his future reflects the harsh reality of life for workers during the Great Depression, when injury or age could mean destitution.
The symbolism of his dog Candy's relationship with his ancient, smelly dog serves as a powerful symbol throughout the story. Just as Candy fears being discarded when he becomes too old to work, his dog faces the same fate when it becomes too old and sick to justify keeping alive.
The parallel between Candy and his dog extends beyond their shared fate. Both have served faithfully for years, both are now considered burdens, and both face the same cruel logic of a world that discards the no longer useful. This symbolism foreshadows the difficult decisions other characters will face later in the story.
When Carlson insists that Candy put the dog out of its misery, it foreshadows the difficult choices other characters will face later in the story.
Clinging to hope Despite his fears, Candy finds renewed purpose when George and Lennie share their dream of owning a farm. He offers his life savings to join their venture, desperate to believe in a kinder world than the one he currently inhabits. His devotion to this idea proves so strong that even after learning of Lennie's violent actions, he still pleads with George to pursue their plan, showing how desperately he needs something to hope for.
Curley's wife
Curley's wife stands as the only female character on the ranch, yet she remains nameless throughout the entire story, which immediately signals her lack of identity and status in this male-dominated world.
Isolation and loneliness Her famous quote reveals the depth of her isolation: "I never get to talk to nobody. I get awful lonely."
Revealing Quote: The Depth of Isolation
"I never get to talk to nobody. I get awful lonely."
This simple statement captures the essence of her character - a woman trapped in a loveless marriage with no companionship or meaningful human connection. Her desperate attempts to engage with the ranch workers stem from this profound loneliness.
Victim of circumstances Steinbeck presents her as a victim rather than a villain. She lacks agency and independence, existing only as "Curley's wife" rather than as an individual with her own identity. The men on the ranch assume she is sexually promiscuous simply because she seeks human contact, revealing their prejudiced attitudes towards women.
Understanding Curley's wife as a victim rather than a temptress is crucial to appreciating Steinbeck's critique of 1930s gender roles. Her tragedy lies not in any moral failing, but in her complete lack of power and identity in a patriarchal society.
Symbol of unfulfilled dreams Like other characters in the story, Curley's wife harbours dreams that will never be fulfilled. Her interactions with the men highlight the broader themes of loneliness and broken dreams that run throughout the novella. Ironically, the only character who doesn't judge her harshly is Lennie, who lacks the social prejudices that blind the other men.
Crooks
Crooks, the black stable-hand, faces unique challenges due to the racial segregation of the 1930s American South.
Intelligent but isolated Crooks possesses sharp intelligence and wit, qualities that make his isolation even more tragic. His name, derived from his crooked back (the result of a work injury), immediately identifies him as someone who has been damaged by his circumstances. Despite his intelligence, he cannot escape the racial barriers that keep him separate from the other workers.
Complex relationship with power Initially, Crooks tries to assert some power over Lennie by suggesting that George might not return, playing a cruel psychological game. However, when Lennie threatens him with physical violence, Crooks quickly backs down.
This interaction reveals the complex power dynamics on the ranch. Despite his intelligence, Crooks occupies the lowest position in the social hierarchy due to his race. His attempt to psychologically torment Lennie backfires, showing how even the most powerless characters can turn cruel when given the slightest opportunity for dominance.
This interaction reveals how powerless Crooks truly is, despite his intelligence and attempts to gain some control over his situation.
Loneliness and the desire for belonging Like Curley's wife, Crooks suffers from intense loneliness. His desire for companionship eventually overcomes his cynicism, and he asks if he might join George and Lennie's farm dream. This moment shows his deep longing for acceptance and belonging, making him sympathetic despite his earlier cruelty to Lennie.
Curley
As the boss's son, Curley represents the privileged land-owning class, yet his character reveals the insecurity that often underlies apparent power.
Insecurity and aggression Despite his privileged position, Curley constantly feels the need to prove his dominance over the workers. His small stature makes him particularly sensitive about his authority, leading him to pick fights with larger men to demonstrate his power. His wife explains that he "spends all his time sayin' what he's gonna do to guys he don't like," revealing his need to constantly assert his authority through threats.
Failed relationships Curley's marriage illustrates his inability to form genuine connections. His relationship with his wife is possessive rather than loving, and his jealousy stems more from a desire to control than from actual affection. When he suspects Slim of flirting with his wife, he immediately seeks confrontation, showing how his insecurity poisons all his relationships.
Symbol of class privilege Curley wears "high-heeled boots" to compensate for his short stature and to mark his wealth and status. This detail emphasises how the land-owning class maintains dominance through symbols and intimidation rather than natural authority or moral leadership.
Slim
Slim stands apart from the other characters as a figure who commands natural respect and moral authority.
Natural leadership Described as the "jerkline skinner," Slim possesses professional skills that earn him respect from all the ranch workers. His quiet, profound manner and natural gravity make him a leader without the need for intimidation or displays of power. Unlike Curley, who struggles to maintain authority through aggression, Slim's leadership comes naturally.
Moral compass Slim serves as the moral centre of the story. He alone correctly perceives that Lennie is harmless despite his size and strength, and he later becomes the only character who truly understands George's difficult decision to shoot Lennie. His ability to see beyond surface judgments makes him uniquely wise among the ranch workers.
Slim's role as moral compass is evident in his response to George's final act. While others might condemn George for shooting Lennie, Slim understands the mercy in this action, telling George "You hadda, George. I swear you hadda." This recognition of difficult moral choices sets him apart from the other characters.
Contrast with artificial authority The comparison between Slim and Curley highlights the difference between natural and artificial authority. While Curley relies on his father's wealth and status symbols like expensive boots, Slim earns respect through his competence and character. This contrast suggests that true leadership comes from personal qualities rather than social position or inherited privilege.
Key Character Insights to Remember:
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Lennie represents innocence and vulnerability - his static character serves to highlight the cruel world around him and makes the tragic ending feel inevitable
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George shows character growth - he learns from past mistakes and ultimately makes the most difficult sacrifice to protect his friend from worse suffering
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Dreams versus reality is central to all characters - each person clings to hopes that help them survive their harsh circumstances, but these dreams ultimately cannot survive in their world
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Social hierarchies create isolation - characters face different types of powerlessness based on mental disability (Lennie), race (Crooks), gender (Curley's wife), and age (Candy)
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True authority comes from character, not status - Slim's natural leadership contrasts sharply with Curley's insecure attempts to dominate through privilege and aggression