Of Mice and Men Summary

A small, quick-witted migrant worker who cares for Lennie.

George is a sharp, intelligent, and often frustrated man burdened by the responsibility of caring for his intellectually disabled friend, Lennie. Despite his occasional anger and complaints about Lennie, George is deeply loyal and protective. He dreams of owning a small farm with Lennie, a vision that provides both of them with hope and purpose. His actions are consistently driven by his desire to keep Lennie safe and, ultimately, to spare him from a cruel fate, even if it means making the ultimate sacrifice.

Relationships: Lennie Small (caretaker and best friend); Candy (fellow dreamer and ranch hand); Slim (confidant and respected peer)

A large, strong, but intellectually disabled man with a love for soft things.

Lennie is a towering figure with immense physical strength but the mind of a child. He is innocent, kind-hearted, and completely dependent on George. His greatest joy comes from petting soft things, which often leads to tragic accidents due to his inability to control his strength. His simple dream is to tend rabbits on their future farm. He is loyal to George but easily confused and frightened, making him vulnerable to the harsh realities of the world and his own physical power.

Relationships: George Milton (dependent companion and best friend); Curley's Wife (unintentional killer of); Candy (fellow dreamer)

An old, one-handed ranch hand who dreams of joining George and Lennie.

Candy is an aging, disabled ranch hand, having lost a hand in a farm accident. He is lonely and fears for his future, knowing that his usefulness on the ranch is diminishing. The forced shooting of his old dog parallels his own impending obsolescence. He becomes deeply invested in George and Lennie's dream of owning a farm, offering his life savings to join them, seeing it as his last chance for security and companionship. His character highlights the vulnerability of the old and disabled in this society.

Relationships: George Milton (fellow dreamer); Lennie Small (fellow dreamer); His dog (beloved pet)

The boss's son, a small, aggressive, and jealous man.

Curley is the ranch boss's son, a small man with a disproportionate sense of aggression and insecurity. He compensates for his size by constantly picking fights, especially with larger men like Lennie. He is intensely jealous and possessive of his flirtatious wife, constantly suspicious of other men. His volatile nature and desire for dominance make him a constant threat and source of conflict on the ranch, ultimately leading to a tragic confrontation.

Relationships: Curley's Wife (possessive husband); Lennie Small (antagonistic rival); The Boss (son of)

A lonely and flirtatious woman, confined by her marriage and dreams.

Curley's wife is the only female character on the ranch and is never given a name, emphasizing her status as a possession. She is young, attractive, and deeply lonely, constantly seeking attention from the ranch hands, which leads them to label her as a 'tart.' She dreams of becoming a movie star and feels trapped in her marriage to Curley. Her attempts to connect with others are often misinterpreted or rejected, leading to her tragic isolation and accidental death at Lennie's hands.

Relationships: Curley (unhappy wife); Lennie Small (confidante and accidental killer of); The ranch hands (object of suspicion and desire)

The highly respected and insightful 'prince of the ranch.'

Slim is the 'jerkline skinner,' a highly skilled and respected mule driver on the ranch. He is described as a 'prince' among the men, possessing a quiet authority, deep understanding, and natural wisdom. He is compassionate and perceptive, often serving as a moral compass or a voice of reason. He is the only character who truly understands the unique bond between George and Lennie, and he offers George solace and understanding in the aftermath of the tragedy, recognizing the profound weight of George's actions.

Relationships: George Milton (confidant and empathetic listener); Lennie Small (observer and protector); The ranch hands (respected leader)

The isolated black stable hand, yearning for acceptance.

Crooks is the black stable hand, named for his crooked spine. He is isolated from the other ranch hands due to racial segregation, living alone in his bunk in the stable. He is intelligent, proud, and well-read, but his loneliness has made him cynical and bitter. He initially taunts Lennie with the idea of George not returning, but later, when Candy and Lennie share their dream, he briefly allows himself to hope for a place on their farm, only to have that hope crushed by Curley's wife's cruel words.

Relationships: Lennie Small (brief companion); Candy (fellow dreamer); The ranch hands (isolated and discriminated against)

A gruff ranch hand, practical and unsympathetic.

Carlson is a pragmatic and unsympathetic ranch hand. He is characterized by his bluntness and lack of emotional depth. He sees things purely in terms of utility, exemplified by his insistence on shooting Candy's old dog because it smells and is no longer useful. He is unable to understand the emotional bonds between men or animals, as shown by his confusion at George's distress after Lennie's death. He represents the harsh, unfeeling aspects of ranch life.

Relationships: Candy (antagonist in the dog's death); George Milton (fellow ranch hand, provides the gun for Lennie's death)

Owner of the ranch, Curley's father.

The Boss is Curley's father and the owner of the ranch. He makes a brief appearance when George and Lennie arrive, questioning George's quick answers about Lennie. He is suspicious and demanding, reflecting the power dynamics of the ranch. His presence is felt more through his son, Curley, who wields his father's authority in an abusive manner. He represents the ultimate authority figure in the workers' lives.

Relationships: Curley (father of)