Of Mice and Men

Study Guide by

ABOUT THE TITLE

What's Inside The title Of Mice and Men comes from Robert Burns's poem "To
a Mouse."

j Book Basics ............................................................................... 1

d In Context
d In Context .................................................................................. 1

a Author Biography ..................................................................... 2

h Characters ................................................................................. 3
Agriculture and Migrant
k Plot Summary ........................................................................... 6
Workers
c Chapter Summaries ............................................................... 10
During Steinbeck's childhood, an agricultural shift was taking
g Quotes ..................................................................................... 17
place in California. In the 1800s, large ranches and grain farms
l Symbols ................................................................................... 18 dominated the state's economy. More specialty farms later
developed that cultivated fruit crops such as oranges and
m Themes .................................................................................... 19 grapes. This shift was enabled by the increased use of
irrigation, which transformed many desert areas into
productive cropland. By 1929 irrigated land made up about 16
percent of the farmland in California. Irrigation provided the
j Book Basics water fruit farms required. From 1879 to 1928, the value of
fruit farm production rose from 4 percent of the total
AUTHOR agricultural output to about 80 percent.
John Steinbeck
Besides needing a lot of water, fruit farms required more
YEAR PUBLISHED laborers than California could provide through its native-born

1937 residents. To solve this problem, landowners hired immigrants

from Mexico and Asia and migrants from other states. As the
GENRE fruit farms increased in size and number, the demand for
Drama, Fiction these workers increased. Thus, when Steinbeck was attending
college during the early 1920s, he was able to easily drop out
PERSPECTIVE AND NARRATOR and get work as a bindlestiff. These migrants worked on both
Of Mice and Men is written from an omniscient, objective third- fruit farms and grain ranches, such as the one depicted in Of
person point of view. Mice and Men. They usually completed the grain harvest by
early July and did not start the grape harvest until September.
TENSE
Of Mice and Men is told in the past tense. While doing this work, Steinbeck came into contact with many
of society's outsiders, including Mexicans, African Americans,
Of Mice and Men Study Guide Author Biography 2

and the physically and mentally disabled. Talking about Of Mice remain humble.
and Men, Steinbeck stated, "I worked in the same country. ...
The characters are composites. ... Lennie was a real person."

When the Great Depression hit in 1929, millions of Americans

From Page to Stage to Film
found themselves out of work, a problem that was
Steinbeck's attempt to preserve his attitude as an obscure
compounded by the Dust Bowl. This 10-year drought struck
writer resulted in the author being thrusted even further into
lands already harmed by bad farming practices, devastating
the public eye. Because of the popularity of Of Mice and Men,
large areas of Oklahoma, New Mexico, and a number of other
John Steinbeck became a household name.
states. As a result, thousands of tenant farmers were forced
off their land. To find work, many of them migrated to Soon the playwright-director George Kaufman wanted to
California to work on fruit farms and ranches. As Steinbeck adapt Of Mice and Men into a theatrical play, which would
was writing Of Mice and Men in the mid-1930s, California was differ greatly from the staged production Steinbeck supported
being overrun with migrant workers. Most of them faced in San Francisco. The latter production was almost identical to
harsh working conditions, which is suggested in Of Mice and the novel, using exactly the same dialogue. Kaufman, however,
Men and more fully developed in The Grapes of Wrath. wanted to shape the story into a Broadway production, which
would involve changing dialogue and actions as needed.
Eventually Steinbeck agreed and worked with Kaufman to
Literary Connections adapt the novel. Steinbeck soon felt out of his element and
allowed Kaufman to take more control of the project. The play
Steinbeck was partially motivated to write Of Mice and Men Of Mice and Men opened to rave reviews on Broadway in 1937
because of the success of his novel Tortilla Flat. Before the and won the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for best
publication of this novel, Steinbeck and his wife, Carol, lived in play for 1937–1938. As a result, Steinbeck became an even
obscurity in poor conditions in a cottage. Although he more popular author.
published several works before Tortilla Flat, none of them
achieved any popularity. This lack of success had a benefit for Hollywood soon made a strong push for a film adaptation of
the author. Because he didn't have much money, Steinbeck the work. The producer-director Lewis Milestone bought the
acted and dressed as other poverty-stricken people did, which film rights and gained creative control of the movie. The result
gave him a connection and insight into the lives of the poor. was a highly regarded film starring Burgess Meredith as
With the success of Tortilla Flat, however, Steinbeck began to George and Lon Chaney Jr. as Lennie. The film adaptation, also
earn much more money, a development that allowed him to titled Of Mice and Men, opened in theaters in 1939 and
improve his and Carol's living conditions. Although the extra received four Oscar nominations.
income was welcome, Steinbeck feared he might lose touch
with the poor workers he depicted in his novels.

Tortilla Flat garnered Steinbeck widespread critical praise for

a Author Biography
his writing. The author worried this praise would alter his
John Ernst Steinbeck Jr. was born in Salinas, California, on
perspective. He feared that he might start to write in a way
February 27, 1902, to parents John Ernst Steinbeck and Olive
that was "important," rather than truthful. To counteract this
Hamilton Steinbeck. Steinbeck's father worked at a variety of
tendency, Steinbeck decided to write a humble children's
jobs, including as manager of a flour plant and owner of a
story. "I want to re-create a child's world," he said, planning to
grain store. He never achieved financial success and, as a
feature sensations, such as colors and tastes, that are more
result, young Steinbeck grew up in modest circumstances.
clear to children than they are to adults. The result was Of Mice
Early on, the son formed a strong bond with the land. One of
and Men, the title of which comes from the 18th-century
Steinbeck's early ambitions as a writer was to depict the farms
Scottish poet Robert Burns's poem "To a Mouse." Although
and ranches in the Salinas Valley.
this work developed into an adult novel instead of a children's
story, it still retains some of Steinbeck's original intentions. His In 1919 Steinbeck began attending Stanford University.
description of the pond, for example, is vivid and sensual: "A Although intent on improving his creative writing skills at the
stilted heron labored up into the air and pounded down river." university, his general interest in college studies proved to be
Of Mice and Men, therefore, was an attempt by Steinbeck to

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Of Mice and Men Study Guide Characters 3

lukewarm. Because of this, Steinbeck dropped in and out of novel, Steinbeck allowed it to be used as the basis for a staged
school. During his time away from college, he often adopted presentation in San Francisco.
the lifestyle of a bindlestiff, a term used for migrant workers
who carried bundles containing bedding and other gear. These Of Mice and Men became an immediate success and continues
people often took odd jobs, including work on ranches. This to be read throughout the world. Even so, the work proved to
experience later influenced Of Mice and Men. be very controversial. Many people objected to its offensive
language. Others claimed it supported euthanasia. Starting in
During Steinbeck's university years, he formed a strong the 1950s, the novel was banned in various places for these
friendship with Edward Flanders Ricketts, a marine biologist. and other reasons. The novella continued to be among the
Steinbeck admired how Ricketts could accept life as he found most banned books in the United States into the early 21st
it, without placing judgments on it. century.

In 1925 Steinbeck left Stanford without graduating. After Steinbeck followed Of Mice and Men with his signature novel,
attempting several jobs, he married Carol Henning in 1930. Grapes of Wrath (1939), which also deals with migrant workers.
She was an ardent supporter of his writing. They moved into a Later novels include East of Eden (1952) and The Winter of Our
rent-free cottage belonging to the Steinbeck family in Pacific Discontent (1961). In 1962 Steinbeck was awarded the Nobel
Grove, California, and she worked at various jobs as he Prize for Literature. Steinbeck died in New York City on
continued to write. December 20, 1968.

Steinbeck's first literary achievement came with publication of

h Characters
the novel Tortilla Flat (1935). Set in Monterey, California, it
features a group of ne'er-do-wells (known as paisanos, or
"countrymen") who live an often lawless life while remaining
tirelessly devoted to their deep friendships. During these early
years as a writer, Steinbeck developed an interest in the plight Lennie
of laborers and their struggle against oppressive working
conditions. His next work, In Dubious Battle (1936), was an Lennie Small is a huge, extremely strong man who is mentally
expansive novel that depicts a strike at a California apple handicapped. He was raised by his Aunt Clara. George was a
orchard. Following this work, Steinbeck wanted to explore the friend of the family, and after Aunt Clara died, Lennie and
subject of common laborers in a more focused manner, and George began to work together, and a strong friendship
he began working on Of Mice and Men in 1936. developed between them. Lennie is a gentle, innocent person.
He can get angry if sufficiently provoked, but he is not
Of Mice and Men portrays the strong friendship between two
malicious. Lennie realizes he does not understand people and
bindlestiffs—the smart and loyal George, and his hulking,
social situations as well as other people do. Because of this,
mentally challenged friend Lennie. For this work, Steinbeck
and because he is so strong, he can accidentally get into
drew on his firsthand knowledge of the difficulties faced by
trouble. Lennie has a great need for companionship and
common workers. He and his wife had just taken a trip to
strongly values his relationship with George. He loves petting
Mexico, where they witnessed the struggles of landless,
soft animals, like mice, rabbits, and puppies, but because of
poverty-stricken workers. Steinbeck was also familiar with
his enormous strength, he can accidentally kill these creatures.
living in extremely modest circumstances. He and his wife
Lennie is fixated on the dream of obtaining a small farm with
struggled for years to make ends meet as he attempted to
George and tending rabbits. Because of his brute strength and
become a successful writer. All of these elements played a role
clumsiness in social situations, however, Lennie inadvertently
in shaping Of Mice and Men.
contributes to the destruction of his own dream.
Influenced by his friend Edward Ricketts, Steinbeck wanted to
use an objective tone for Of Mice and Men. He wanted at first
to name the novel Something That Happened as a way to George
emphasize an event without moral judgment. The author was
fascinated with the idea of creating a new form of literature, George Milton is a small man with a sharp mind who is good at
which he called the play-novelette. This form could be read planning and has insight into social dynamics. George was
either as a novella or as a script for a play. After publishing the

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Of Mice and Men Study Guide Characters 4

friends with Aunt Clara and Lennie, so when she died, George recognizes Lennie's limitations and good intentions. He steps
and Lennie began to work together. At first, George played forward to protect Lennie from Curly after Lennie crushes
jokes on Lennie, but he soon realized that these jokes were Curly's hand. At the end, he comforts George for shooting
cruel and dangerous, so George stopped teasing Lennie and Lennie, telling him it was something he had to do.
formed a strong friendship with him. Like Lennie, George has a
strong need for friendship. He realizes that his friendship with
Lennie sets them apart from most other migrant workers. Candy
George and Lennie look out for each other, whereas other
migrants have no one to care for them. Also like Lennie, Candy is an old man who has worked at a ranch near Soledad,
George dreams of obtaining a small farm and often tells California, for many years. His right hand was torn off during
Lennie about these plans. George can get frustrated and an accident. He has an old sheep dog that has been his
annoyed at Lennie and his obtuseness, but this annoyance companion since the dog was a puppy. Candy sweeps out the
always gives way to gentler feelings. George is fully aware of bunkhouse, about the only job he is fit to do at the ranch.
the dynamics that could lead to the ruin of his and Lennie's Candy fears being cast out when he can no longer sweep the
dream, but even so he cannot prevent them from happening. bunkhouse, leaving him on his own in his old age. When his
dog is shot because it is old, useless, and smelly, Candy's fears
intensify. Candy has had the foresight to save some money,
Curley's wife however, and he offers a partial payment on the small farm
that George and Lennie want to buy if he can stay on the farm
Curley's wife is a young, attractive woman and the wife of the with them and do odd jobs. Therefore, George and Lennie's
boss's son. She is flirtatious and constantly tries to get dream also becomes Candy's dream. Candy is crushed when
affection from men. She does not like her husband and so this dream falls apart.
does not look to him for the attention and affection she
craves. She believes her strongest attribute is her appearance
because it has gotten her attention in the past. She feels stuck
at the ranch and resents her situation. Because of this, she
flirts with and teases the male workers, knowing that it makes
them uncomfortable. Her need for affection draws her to
gentle, slow-witted Lennie. She has no idea of the danger he
represents, which leads to her death.

Curley
Curley is the son of the boss of the ranch and considers
himself an accomplished lightweight boxer. Curley is a small
man and feels insecure because of his size. As a result, he
constantly tries to prove his manhood by picking fights with
larger men. Also because of his insecurity, he suspects men of
flirting and sleeping with his wife. This situation is made worse
by his wife's blatant flirtations. Curley has a quick temper and
can lash out violently. He picks a fight with Lennie and gets his
hand crushed as a result. Later, he exacts revenge on Lennie.

Slim
Slim is a skilled ranch hand and perhaps the most respected
man on the ranch. He forms a friendship with George and

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Of Mice and Men Study Guide Characters 5

Character Map

George
Small, clever, loyal
ranch hand

Friend Friend

Close friends

Candy
Old man; shares Lennie Slim
and George's dream Respected ranch hand
of a farm

Friend Friend
Lennie
Mentally disabled but
immensely strong man

Antagonists
Accidentally
kills
Flirts Enemy

Curley's wife Curley

Lonely flirt Spouses Son of boss; bully

Main character

Other Major Character

Minor Character

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Of Mice and Men Study Guide Plot Summary 6

are on their way to a ranch where they have work lined up.
Full Character List Lennie pets a dead mouse in his pocket because he likes
petting soft things. When George sees the mouse, he throws it
Character Description away. He then warns Lennie not to do anything bad at the
ranch like he did at their last job. George describes their
dream of one day buying a small farm "an' live off the fatta the
Lennie is the friend of George. He wants
Lennie lan'." He has repeated this dream to Lennie many times
to get a small farm and tend rabbits.
before, and Lennie never seems to tire of hearing it, especially
the part about Lennie taking care of the rabbits on the farm.
George is the friend of Lennie. He makes
George George tells Lennie to remember this pool and come back to it
plans about getting a small farm.
and hide if he gets in trouble at the ranch.
Curley's wife seeks attention and
Curley's wife The next morning at the ranch, an old worker named Candy
affection from men, leading to her death.
brings George and Lennie into the bunkhouse. The boss's son,
a short, pugnacious young man named Curley, enters and gets
Curley is the boss's son. He is insecure
Curley about being short and constantly picks annoyed with Lennie, although Lennie hasn't done or said
fights with larger men. anything. After Curly leaves, George warns Lennie about
Curley wanting to fight with him and tells Lennie not to have
Slim is the ranch's jerkline skinner. He is anything to do with him. Curley's flirtatious wife then visits the
Slim understanding and well respected by the bunkhouse looking for Curley. After she leaves, George
workers. declares her a "tramp" and tells Lennie not to pay any
attention to her. Lennie says he doesn't like this place, but
Candy is an old man who shares Lennie George insists they have to stay until they earn a stake.
Candy and George's dream of getting a small
farm. George meets the unofficial head of the ranch workers, Slim.
As the jerkline skinner, Slim can easily handle a whole team of
Aunt Clara Aunt Clara raised Lennie. mules with just one yank on their reins. He gives Lennie one of
his pups. George tells Slim how he and Lennie got together
The boss is a hard man who is in charge and then confesses that Lennie got in trouble at their previous
The boss
of the ranch. job when he wanted to feel a dress that a girl was wearing.
Curley bursts into the bunkhouse searching for his wife. He
Carlson is a ranch worker who wants to then hurries to the barn. Then a worker named Carlson
Carlson
shoot Candy's old dog. convinces Candy that his old dog needs to be shot because it is
useless and stinks. Candy is devastated. George again
Crooks is an African American stable describes the dream farm to Lennie, and Candy offers to chip
Crooks hand who is angry at white people in a partial payment if he can live on the farm with George and
because they treat him as inferior.
Lennie. George agrees. Curley returns and picks a fight with
Lennie, punching him in the face. When George yells for
Whit Whit is a ranch worker.
Lennie to fight back, Lennie grabs Curley's fist and crushes it.
To prevent George and Lennie from getting fired, Slim
convinces Curley to say his hand got caught in a machine.

k Plot Summary Crooks is an African American who lives alone in a harness

room in the barn. It is Saturday night, and most of the men are
Of Mice and Men takes place near Soledad, California, in the in town. Crooks is angry at white people for treating him as
midst of America's Great Depression during the 1930s. As the inferior, so he gets back at them by not allowing anyone in his
book opens, two main characters, George and Lennie, room except for Slim and the boss. He grudgingly allows
approach a tranquil pool, which is part of the Salinas River. Lennie to visit his room but scares him by asking what he
Lennie is a huge man who is mentally handicapped, whereas would do if George never came back from town. When Candy
George is small in stature but has a keen mind. The two men enters and talks about their future farm, Crooks insists the

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Of Mice and Men Study Guide Plot Summary 7

dream won't happen. Workers always waste their money,

Crooks says. Curley's wife enters, looking for Curley. She
suspects Lennie busted her husband's hand and then flirts
with Lennie. After Curley's wife leaves, George comes in the
room and leaves with Lennie and Candy.

Alone in the barn, Lennie looks sadly at his puppy, which he

has accidentally killed. Curley's wife enters the barn and talks
to Lennie, who is hesitant to talk to her. Curley's wife places
Lennie's hand on her hair and asks him to feel how soft it is.
When Lennie strokes her hair too hard, she gets upset and
jerks her head away. Lennie panics and clutches her hair. As
she struggles to get loose, Lennie shakes her, breaking her
neck. Lennie knows he's done a bad thing, so he decides to
leave and hide by the pool. Candy finds Curley's dead wife and
brings in George, who immediately knows it was Lennie who
killed her. George then tells a dejected Candy that their dream
of getting a small farm will not happen. George leaves, and
Candy brings in Curley, Slim, and other workers. George then
arrives after them. When Curley realizes Lennie killed his wife,
he becomes enraged and goes off to organize a lynch mob.
George wonders if they could just lock Lennie up, but Slim
replies that even if they could, locking Lennie up would be
cruel. Carlson returns and says his gun has been stolen. Curley
leads George, Curley, Slim, and the others away to hunt down
Lennie.

Lennie arrives at the pool and waits for George. He imagines

his Aunt Clara and a huge rabbit are scolding him about doing
bad things. When George arrives, Lennie is worried George will
scold him too, but he doesn't. With Lennie's prompting,
George says he and Lennie are different from other guys
because they have each other. Lennie becomes happy. George
tells Lennie to turn around and look across the river. The
kneeling Lennie obeys. George pulls out the pistol he took
from Carlson and begins describing how great their life will be
on their small farm. He hears the lynch mob approaching and
shoots Lennie in the back of the head. Lennie slumps forward,
dead. Curley, Carlson, Slim, and the rest of the mob burst onto
the scene. They see that George has shot Lennie. Slim tries to
console George, saying he had to do it.

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Of Mice and Men Study Guide Plot Summary 8

Plot Diagram

Climax

7
Falling Action
6
Rising Action
5 8

4
9
3
Resolution
2
1

Introduction

7. Lennie accidentally kills Curley's wife.

Introduction

1. Lennie and George dream of buying a small farm.

Falling Action

8. George abandons dream of buying a small farm.

Rising Action

2. Curley gets angry at Lennie.

Resolution
3. Curley's wife flirts with workers.
9. George mercy kills Lennie.
4. George and Lennie partner with Candy to buy a small farm.

5. Curley picks fight with Lennie, who crushes Curley's hand.

6. Curley's wife flirts with Lennie.

Climax

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Of Mice and Men Study Guide Plot Summary 9

Timeline of Events

Thursday afternoon

Lennie and George arrive at tranquil pool, talk about

their dream of buying a farm.

Friday

Lennie and George arrive at ranch, have conflict with

Curley, and meet Curley's wife.

Friday evening

George and Lennie partner with Candy; Curley picks a

fight with Lennie, who crushes Curley's hand.

Saturday evening

Lennie and Candy visit Crooks in his room; Curley's wife

joins them, flirts with Lennie.

Sunday

Lennie accidentally kills Curley's wife; Curley heads lynch

mob to hunt down Lennie.

Later Sunday

George shoots and kills Lennie in an act of mercy; lynch

mob arrives.

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Of Mice and Men Study Guide Chapter Summaries 10

accidentally killed them. They get a campfire burning and

c Chapter Summaries warm up cans of beans. George complains about all the things
he could do if he wasn't tied down taking care of Lennie. "I
could eat any place I want, hotel or any place," he says. Lennie

Chapter 1 feels guilty and offers to go off into the hills and live in a cave.
George feels bad about his complaints and tells Lennie he
doesn't want him to leave.

Summary Lennie then asks George to tell about the rabbits, and even
though George has told this story many times before, he talks
Of Mice and Men is told from a third-person, objective point of again about the farm he and Lennie dream of having. Lennie
view. It takes place near Soledad, California, and begins at a listens intently. George says they have a future because they
spot where the Salinas River forms a tranquil pool. Abundant have each other. Eventually they are going to get a place of
willows line the river, and wildlife, including rabbits and lizards, their own, with a garden and rabbits in cages. They start to eat
live here. A beaten path, an ash pile, and a sycamore limb, their beans. George tells Lennie that if he gets into trouble at
"worn smooth by men who have sat on it," show that people the ranch, to come to this pool and hide. Lennie says he'll
often visit this pool. Two men walk down the path to the pool. remember.
One of the men is small, with "restless eyes, and sharp, strong
features." The other man is huge and "shapeless of face." The
larger man has sloping shoulders, drags his feet slightly, and Analysis
lets his arms hang loosely by his sides.
In Chapter 1, Steinbeck introduces the two main characters,
The huge man, Lennie, gulps down water from the pool like a George and Lennie, who are bindlestiffs—migrant workers
thirsty horse. The small man, George, drinks water from his who move from ranch to ranch harvesting crops. They make
cupped hand. He sits by the pool, embracing his drawn-up an odd couple but are close friends.
knees. Lennie imitates him exactly. Lennie has forgotten
where they are going, and George, frustrated by his The chapter also introduces one of the main themes of the
companion's poor memory, reminds him they are going to a book, that of loneliness and friendship. From the start of the
ranch to get work. George then accuses Lennie of hiding chapter, George and Lennie obviously have a strong bond.
something in his hand, an accusation that Lennie at first George is concerned about Lennie and often acts like a
denies. Lennie then contritely admits his secret, opening his frustrated parent teaching and sometimes scolding a child. He
hand to reveal a dead mouse, which he has been keeping in tells Lennie not to drink water that isn't moving and not to
his pocket and petting. When George orders him to give it up, hold a dead mouse. Sometimes the frustration boils over, as
Lennie hands it to George, who throws it away. George tells when Lennie says he wants to keep the dead mouse and
Lennie not to say anything when they talk to the boss at the George responds, "You gonna give me that mouse or do I have
ranch and to let him do the talking. Lennie tries to remember, to sock you?" George also complains at length about how
repeating, "I ain't gonna say nothin'." George also tells Lennie Lennie is tying him down. This contentious relationship makes
that at their new job, Lennie must avoid any behavior of the the reader wonder why George puts up with Lennie at all.
sort he exhibited at their previous job, which was near the Steinbeck soon provides the answer. George explains to
town of Weed. Lennie that most migrant workers don't have anybody else.
"Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in
George decides they are going to camp by the pool and head the world," he says. But George and Lennie are different
to the ranch in the morning, and he sends Lennie off to gather because they have each other: "We got a future. We got
wood for a campfire. When Lennie returns, George knows that somebody ... that gives a damn about us." So the friendship
he has retrieved the dead mouse. He demands that Lennie forged between George and Lennie provides them with hope
hand it over again, and George then throws the mouse as far that they can attain their dream of a better life.
as he can into the brush. George explains that he doesn't want
Lennie to pet the dead mouse, because it isn't fresh. George A second theme introduced is that of the dream. George and
reminds Lennie how Lennie's Aunt Clara used to give him live Lennie's dream is to get a small farm with a house, a garden,
mice to pet and how she stopped because Lennie always and rabbits and chickens. George has recited his description of

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Of Mice and Men Study Guide Chapter Summaries 11

their dream to Lennie again and again, using almost identical says that Curley is a skilled lightweight boxer who likes to pick
wording. In fact, Lennie knows what George is going to say fights with bigger guys. He then discloses that Curley is
about their imagined home before he says it. This dream married to an attractive, flirtatious woman—a "tart." He adds
therefore has become a type of prayer George recites to that Curly wears a glove on his left hand filled with Vaseline to
provide them with hope and faith in their future. The dream keep his hand soft for his wife. George is disgusted. Candy
also resembles the goals a young family might talk about. In leaves, and George warns Lennie about Curly. "He was kinda
this way, George and Lennie's dream reflects the close bond feelin' you out. ... He's gonna take a sock at you the first
between them. chance he gets." Lennie says he doesn't want any trouble.
George reminds him to hide by the pool if he gets in trouble,
Steinbeck uses foreshadowing to convey a sense that and Lennie says he'll remember.
something ominous is going to happen. The first hint is when
George relates how Lennie often accidentally kills the mice he While George and Lenny are talking, Curley's wife appears in
pets. Even though he is a gentle soul, Lennie can inadvertently the bunkhouse door. She is heavily made up and has hair
do harm because he doesn't know his own strength. George "hung in little rolled clusters." She claims to be looking for
then mentions the trouble he and Lennie got into at their last Curley and positions her figure to show it off. Lennie notices
job, hinting that Lennie did something bad. George is her body. George brusquely replies that Curly isn't here. She
obviously concerned that Lennie might have trouble at the answers in a playful manner and leaves. Lennie admits that
ranch. He tells his friend to remember the pond and to come she is pretty. George vehemently tells Lennie not to "even take
back to it and hide if he gets in trouble. George strongly a look at that bitch" because she's nothing but "jail bait."
foreshadows that something bad is going to happen to him Lennie is shaken and says he doesn't like this place and wants
and his companion. to leave, but George insists they have to stay until they earn a
stake.

Chapter 2 Slim, the ranch's jerkline skinner (lead mule-team driver),

arrives. He seems like a confident, understanding man who is
respected by all the workers. After greeting George, Slim says
his dog had pups. Another worker, Carlson, suggests that Slim
Summary tell Candy to shoot his old sheepdog because it's old and
"stinks like hell, too." Then Slim can give Candy one of the
The bunkhouse at the ranch contains eight bunks, with an pups. The workers head to dinner, leaving George and Lennie
apple box above each bunk to hold the worker's alone in the bunkhouse. Lennie is excited about the pups, and
paraphernalia. There is a cast-iron stove and a large table in George agrees to ask Slim if Lennie can have one. As they
the center of the room. An old worker named Candy, leave for dinner, George admits he hates Curley and might
accompanied by his ancient sheepdog, leads George and "tangle with that bastard myself."
Lennie into the room. Candy is missing his right hand. The
boss arrives and asks George's and Lennie's names. The boss
wonders why Lennie doesn't talk. George explains that his
Analysis
friend isn't smart but that he's "a good worker. Strong as a
bull." Lennie repeats, "Strong as a bull." The boss suspects Steinbeck continues to develop the character of George by
George is taking advantage of Lennie by stealing some of his showing that George has an edgy attitude toward authority.
pay. George vehemently denies it. Still suspicious, the boss When he and Lennie arrive at the bunkhouse, George notices
leaves. a can of insect repellent by his bunk and immediately suspects
that his mattress is infested with bugs. He then says to Candy,
George reprimands Lennie for talking to the boss and then
"What the hell kind of bed you giving us, anyways." Candy
catches Candy listening at the door. Candy denies
assures George that the can was there because the prior
eavesdropping. The boss's son, a short, pugnacious young
occupant was a cleanliness fanatic who wanted to be
man named Curley, enters and asks where his father is. He
absolutely sure his mattress was not infested. George's
then tries to talk to Lennie, who doesn't respond. George
suspicions, though, show he probably has had problems with
answers for Lennie, which annoys Curley. After Curley leaves,
other ranchers trying to take advantage of him and isn't going
George wonders why he has a chip on his shoulder. Candy
to let it happen again.

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Of Mice and Men Study Guide Chapter Summaries 12

Candy claims that the boss was expecting George and Lennie
last night and was upset when they didn't arrive, but George Chapter 3
doesn't seem bothered. The reader knows from the previous
chapter that George and Lennie could have walked to the
ranch the previous evening but that George didn't want to. He Summary
liked camping by the tranquil pool. George is a person who
values his independence and does not mind annoying In the bunkhouse, George thanks Slim for giving Lennie one of
authority figures. George's hatred of Curley, the boss's son, his pups. George then explains to Slim that a woman named
confirms his strong dislike of people in authority trying to push Aunt Clara used to care for Lennie. After she died, George and
others around. Lennie began to work together. Eventually a friendship
developed. George then confesses that Lennie got in trouble
Steinbeck develops the theme of entrapment by continuing to at their previous job when he wanted to feel a dress that a girl
use strong foreshadowing. By introducing the supporting was wearing. The girl panicked and claimed that Lennie tried
characters of Curley and Curley's wife, the author creates a to rape her. George and Lennie escaped when a lynch party
situation with volatile dynamics. Curley is a bully who feels came after Lennie. Slim seems understanding and says that
threatened by bigger guys and constantly wants to prove his Lennie "ain't mean."
manhood by fighting them. Lennie is a huge man who could
prove to be an easy target for Curley. In addition, Curley's wife Lennie comes in hiding a puppy under his coat. George orders
enjoys flirting blatantly with men, and Lennie thinks she's him to return the puppy to the litter in the barn, and Lennie
pretty. If Curley's wife flirts with Lennie, it might be all the reluctantly obeys. Candy enters accompanied by his old dog.
inducement Curley needs to become enraged and fight Carlson soon follows and again complains that the dog isn't
Lennie. George tells Lennie to stay out of Curley's way but to useful and has a stink that "hangs around even after he's
fight back if Curly punches him. By using these dynamics, gone." He tries to convince Candy to shoot it. When Candy
Steinbeck foreshadows a conflict that could entrap George and says he can't, Carlson offers to shoot the dog himself. Slim
Lennie. George is aware of this threat. He even calls Curley's agrees with Carlson, and Candy sadly gives in. Carlson gets his
wife a "rattrap." George, however, feels compelled to stay at Luger pistol and leads the dog out of the bunkhouse. George,
the ranch so he and Lennie can earn a stake: "We can't help it, Slim, and the other men in the bunkhouse anxiously wait in
Lennie. We'll get out jus' as soon as we can." silence until, finally, they hear the shot. Crooks, an African
American stable hand with a crooked back, informs Slim that
Readers may also notice the development of several symbols Lennie is petting the pups in the barn. Slim says that Lennie
that will appear throughout the book. The first of these is the isn't doing any harm and heads with Crooks to the barn to tar
pool. For George and Lennie, the pool represents a safe haven, a mule's foot.
a place to seek out to protect themselves from the dangers of
the world. When George fears that trouble might develop, he Lennie enters and sits on his bunk. Curley bursts into the
tells Lennie to "hide in the brush by the river." Vulnerable bunkhouse searching for his wife. He wonders where Slim is.
animals, like bunnies and puppies, are another symbol When he's told that Slim is in the barn, Curley rushes out. Whit
explored in Chapter 2. They represent the vulnerable and Carlson follow him to watch a possible fight between
creatures that Lennie loves but can also accidentally harm. Curley and Slim. George stays back in the bunkhouse, saying,
Steinbeck also introduces Candy's dog as a symbol that will be "I don't want to get mixed up in nothing." With Lennie's
developed further in the novel. Toothless, almost blind, and prompting, George again describes their dream house and
smelly, the dog is no longer useful, but Candy loves him dearly. farm. Candy gets interested and asks if this farm is a real
The idea that the dog should be spared any more suffering, place. George says it is, and it costs 600 dollars. Candy asks if
rather than kept alive just so Candy has a companion, will he might live there with George and Lennie and offers to chip
become relevant to George's heartbreaking decision to kill in a partial payment of 350 dollars, along with whatever
Lennie. money George and Lennie can supply. George agrees.
Suddenly, George and Lennie realize their dream could
become a reality.

Slim comes into the bunkhouse, followed by Curley, Carlson,

and Whit. Curley is apologizing to Slim, saying he was just

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Of Mice and Men Study Guide Chapter Summaries 13

wondering where his wife was. Slim is angry because Curley getting a small farm, Candy gets a sense of belonging and
suspected him of being with his wife. Carlson tells Curly to being valued as a friend. The author also uses strong
keep track of his wife and tell her to stop hanging around the foreshadowing through the killing of Candy's dog. Because the
bunkhouse. Curley turns on Carlson, but Carlson will have dog can no longer do its job and annoys workers at the ranch
none of his threats. Curley then notices Lennie, who is still with its stink, it is shot. The decision spares the old dog from
smiling as he thinks about getting a farm with rabbits. Curley suffering any further pain, but the workers' motives for killing
thinks Lennie is laughing at him, so he begins to punch Lennie it may have less to do with kindness than with the harshness
in the face. Confused and horrified, Lennie backs against the of the world in which they live. The same rationale will apply to
wall and looks to George for help. George yells for Lennie to Lennie later in the novel.
fight back. Lennie then seizes Curley's fist, and "the next
minute Curley was flopping like a fish on a line." George orders In Chapter 3, the theme of entrapment is developed like a
Lennie to let go, and he eventually does. Curley is in extreme gradually tightening noose. Once again, George realizes the
pain, and his hand has been crushed. Slim orders the wagon conflict with Curley and his wife is dangerous. George refers to
to be hitched up to take Curley into town to the doctor. Lennie the wife as "jail bait all set on the trigger." If George and Lennie
is worried that he did something wrong, but George assures get sucked into this conflict, they could easily get arrested, and
him that he didn't. their dream would be destroyed. The noose begins to tighten
when Curley frantically searches for his wife and jealously
suspects her of being with Slim. Curley's suspicions end up
Analysis making him look like a fool in the eyes of Slim and the other
workers. Unable to accept this humiliation, Curley looks for a
Steinbeck returns to the theme of loneliness and friendship in scapegoat and picks on Lennie. As Curley punches Lennie,
Chapter 3. In the first two chapters, George is depicted as a George adds fuel to the flames by telling Lennie to fight back.
tight-lipped man who doesn't like to talk much about Lennie The result is that Lennie crushes Curley's hand. The noose has
and himself. In fact, when the boss asks about their tightened around George and Lennie. Lennie could easily get
relationship, George lies and says Lennie is his cousin. In fired or arrested. Slim, though, gets Lennie and George out of
Chapter 3, however, George opens up to Slim and readily the trap. He tells Curley that if he tries to get Lennie fired, he
explains how Lennie became his friend. George is comfortable will tell everyone about what happened and "then will you get
around Slim and feels he can trust him, undoubtedly because the laugh." Curley agrees to say he got his hand caught in a
of Slim's calm and understanding attitude. George obviously machine.
values and is moved by friendship. This trait is reinforced
Steinbeck uses situational irony when Lennie and George
when George tells Slim that he used to tease Lennie, making
describe their dream of getting a small farm. Irony occurs
him do silly things. Despite this, Lennie never became angry. In
when a situation is strange or surprising because things
fact, when George told Lennie to jump in a river, Lennie
happen in a way that is the opposite of what is expected. The
obeyed and almost drowned. Instead of being angry, Lennie
dream of getting the small farm provides Lennie and George
was grateful to George for pulling him out. Lennie's
with the hope of freedom. The desire to achieve this dream,
friendliness disarmed George. Soon, George realized he had
however, keeps them working at the ranch to earn a stake,
something of extreme value with Lennie. George had seen
thereby exposing them to a dangerous situation that could get
migrant workers living alone for a long time. "That ain't no
them arrested and limit their freedom.
good ... after a long time they get mean," he says. From
George's discussion with Slim, the reader comes to
understand that George believes his friendship with Lennie
will prevent him from getting mean and bitter. Chapter 4
Steinbeck also shows how the fear of loneliness haunts Candy.
Candy realizes that when he can't sweep the bunkhouse Summary
anymore, the boss will fire him. "I won't have no place to go,"
Candy says. His sense of loneliness and uselessness makes Crooks lives alone in a harness room in the barn. The room is
him "wisht somebody'd shoot me" like Carlson shot his dog. filled with tools and with Crooks's personal possessions,
But when Candy is able to share Lennie and George's dream of including books. Crooks is a "proud, aloof man" with a lean

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Of Mice and Men Study Guide Chapter Summaries 14

face and a crooked spine. It is Saturday night, and most of the

men are in town. Crooks is rubbing liniment on his back when
Analysis
Lennie quietly appears in the doorway. Crooks tries to chase
In Chapter 4, Steinbeck explores the theme of loneliness and
him away, saying that Lennie has no right to be in this room.
friendship through the depiction of four outcasts: Crooks,
Lennie says he just wants to look at his puppy. Crooks softens
Candy, Lennie, and Curley's wife. Being black makes Crooks an
somewhat and lets Lennie sit on a keg in the room. Crooks
outsider in society. He has contact with others mainly when his
asks Lennie what he would do if George never came back from
job requires it. He spends most of his free time alone in his
town. This idea scares Lennie, and he gets mad at Crooks for
room, reading books. He is not welcome in the bunkhouse.
supposing George might get hurt. Crooks says he didn't mean
Crooks accepts this rejection with a bitter pride. He does not
to scare Lennie and claims he was talking about himself.
allow any white people in his room, except for Slim and the
Lennie settles down and reasserts that he and George are
boss. If white people refuse to treat him respectfully, then he
going to get a farm and raise rabbits. Crooks claims that most
will act the same way toward them. When he was growing up,
migrant workers have the dream of getting some land but
Crooks had more contact with white people. "White kids ...
never do.
play at our place, an' sometimes I went to play with them," he
Candy approaches the doorway and says he's looking for relates. As an adult, Crooks has faced the full brunt of racial
Lennie. Crooks invites him in. Candy says he's been figuring on prejudice, making him angry and resentful. His need for
how to get money by raising rabbits. Lennie becomes excited, friendship allows him to overcome these feelings, however,
but Crooks insists their dream won't happen. He has seen and leads him to ask if he can work on Lennie and Candy's
guys who were crazy for their own land but "ever' time a future farm.
whore house or a blackjack game took what it takes." Candy
In previous chapters, the reader learns that Candy is old and
argues that things will be different this time. He, George, and
crippled, having lost his hand in a farm accident. As soon as he
Lennie already have a lot of money saved in a bank. Crooks is
proves unable to sweep the bunkhouse, Candy expects to be
surprised they have some money and asks if he might help out
kicked out. Candy, therefore, is an outsider because he has
doing odd jobs at their farm.
little usefulness. Lennie is an outsider because he is mentally
Curley's wife enters looking for Curley. Candy and Crooks try disabled. As a result, he doesn't talk much and doesn't
to get her to leave, but she wants to talk to people. She then understand malicious motives. Curley gets angry at Lennie for
complains about her husband and wonders what happened to not answering his questions like other workers do. Later, when
his hand. Candy says that Curley got his hand caught in a Curley apologizes to Slim, Curley catches Lennie smiling. He
machine. She doesn't believe it. Then Curley's wife becomes assumes Lennie is mocking him, but Lennie is just thinking
indignant and complains about not having anything better to about his rabbits. He is unaware of any malicious reason to
do on a Saturday night than talking to "a bunch of bindle mock Curley. This is evidence of Lennie's mental handicap and
stiffs." Lennie seems fascinated by her, but Candy gets angry social naivety, two of the traits that keep Lennie from fitting in
at Curley's wife, telling her that he and his friends are going to with society. Curley's wife is an outsider because she's a
get a place of their own. She says they'll waste their money. woman. The ranch is a world dominated by men. She needs
Curley's wife then asks Lennie how he got the bruises on his friendliness and affection and isn't getting it. She receives
face. Lennie doesn't know how to respond. He talks about positive reinforcement because of her physical appearance,
tending rabbits. She flirts with Lennie, replying, "I might get a saying things like, "An' a guy tol' me he could put me in
couple rabbits myself." Crooks angrily tells her she has no pitchers." She uses her looks to attract attention, but this
right being in a black man's room. She gets furious at Crooks, approach only goes so far. When she is alone with a man, he's
causing him to back down. Candy says he can hear the men friendly, but "just let two of the guys get together," she says,
coming back from town. Curley's wife tells Lennie that she's and neither will speak to her. Curley's wife, therefore, is
glad he broke her husband's hand. She then leaves. George treated by men as a sex object. She is not even given a name
comes in, wonders what Lennie is doing in Crooks's room, and and is referred to only as Curley's wife.
scolds Candy for blabbing about their plan to get a farm.
Steinbeck returns to the theme of entrapment by adding social
Crooks tells Candy to forget about his request to work for
and psychological elements. The ranch can be seen as a
them on their future farm. Lennie, Candy, and George leave
microcosm of society in general. This society is ruled by
Crooks alone in the room.
powerful men who use other people to achieve their goals. As

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Of Mice and Men Study Guide Chapter Summaries 15

soon as the subordinate people are no longer useful, they are Candy comes in, sees Curley's wife, and realizes she's dead.
cast out. If people want to break out of this system, as do Stunned, he leaves and returns with George, who immediately
George and Lennie, they will face many obstacles, such as low knows that Lennie killed her. Candy claims that Curley will
pay, difficult bosses, and a lack of sympathy and want to lynch Lennie. George thinks for a while and then
understanding from others. The author also shows how many agrees. Candy asks if their dream of getting a small farm has
of the workers self-destruct. As Crooks mentions, most of been destroyed, and George replies that it has. Afraid of being
them have dreams of obtaining their own land but never get it. suspected as an accomplice in the killing, George leaves, and
Instead, they spend their money on prostitutes and drink: Candy remains with the body. After a few minutes, Candy
"They're all the time talkin' about it, but it's jus' in their head." brings Curley, Slim, and other workers into the barn. George
arrives last. When Curley realizes Lennie killed his wife, he
becomes enraged and says, "I'll kill the big son-of-a-bitch
Chapter 5 myself." He goes off with some of the men to organize a lynch
mob, leaving Slim and George in the barn. George wonders if
they could just lock Lennie up and not kill him. Slim is doubtful
of this and says that even if they "lock him up an' strap him
Summary down ... that ain't no good, George." George agrees. Carlson
comes back and claims his gun has been stolen. Curley hurries
Alone in the barn, Lennie looks sadly at a dead puppy lying
in and suspiciously asks George if he is coming with the lynch
before him. Lennie has accidentally killed the puppy and fears
mob. George replies that he is. George, Curley, Slim, and the
George will find out and not let him tend rabbits. He covers
others leave the barn. Candy remains with Curley's dead wife.
the puppy with hay in an attempt to hide it. Then he unburies
the animal and strokes it. "I di'n't know you'd get killed so
easy," he says. Curley's wife enters the barn. She wears heavy
makeup and has styled her hair into "little sausage curls."
Analysis
Curley's wife is startled when she sees the dead puppy. Lennie
In Chapter 5, Steinbeck brings the theme of entrapment to a
admits he accidentally killed the animal, and she tells him not
climax through the interaction between Lennie and Curley's
to worry about it. But when she tries to talk to Lennie, he
wife and the symbol of the vulnerable soft animal. Lennie and
rebuffs her, saying, "If George sees me talkin' to you he'll give
Curley's wife are brought together in the barn because of their
me hell." Curley's wife gets angry because nobody wants to
loneliness and need for friendship and affection. In an
talk to her. She tells Lennie that she once had opportunities to
example of situational irony, the result of pursuing these
join a traveling theater group and go to Hollywood. She
needs is death. Lennie accidentally kills a puppy because he
doesn't like her husband, because "he ain't a nice fella." Lennie
likes the feeling of petting it. When the puppy nips at him, he
listens and then talks more about tending rabbits.
cuffs the animal and, because of his strength, kills it.
Curley's wife asks Lennie why he's so "nuts" about looking Therefore, Lennie's need for affection results in death, which
after rabbits. After pondering the question, Lennie admits he foreshadows what is about to happen with Curley's wife.
likes to touch soft things. She says most people do. She then Lennie most likely feels lonely without the connection of
places Lennie's hand on her hair and says, "Feel right aroun' touching a soft animal. For example, when Lennie first gets a
there an' see how soft it is." Lennie strokes her hair and says puppy, George predicts Lennie will sleep next to the animal in
that it feels nice. Curley's wife tells Lennie not to mess up her the barn for companionship. Curley's wife wants to talk to
hair. When he keeps stroking it, she gets angry and jerks her Lennie because she's also lonely and desires friendship and
head. Lennie panics and clutches her hair. As she struggles to affection. She even invites him to touch her hair. Lennie
get loose, Lennie places his hand over her mouth and begs her strokes her hair and gets a pleasant sensation of affection. Not
not to scream. She continues to struggle violently. Lennie realizing the danger that lurks with Lennie, Curley's wife gets
pleads, "Please don't do none of that," as he is worried that upset when he strokes her hair too hard and tries to break
George won't let him tend rabbits. When she tries to yell, loose of his grasp. He scolds her and shakes her, just as he
Lennie gets angry and shakes her, breaking her neck. She is cuffed the puppy earlier. In this case, the result is the death of
still, and Lennie realizes he has accidentally killed her. Lennie Curley's wife.
knows he's "done a real bad thing" and decides to run off and
Later in the chapter, the entrapment of Lennie and George is
hide by the pool.

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Of Mice and Men Study Guide Chapter Summaries 16

sealed. Curley is still angry at Lennie for crushing his hand. He looks at the back of Lennie's head and begins to describe
When he finds out that Lennie killed his wife, he predictably how great their life will be on their small farm. He hears the
becomes enraged and plans to "shoot the guts outa that big lynch mob approaching, and when Lennie asks him to go on
bastard." Because of this, the likelihood of Lennie being with his description, George says, "Ever'body gonna be nice to
arrested is slim. Even if Lennie is arrested, society's treatment you. Ain't gonna be no more trouble." The voices of the mob
of the mentally handicapped at that time ensures that Lennie are close. George points the gun at the back of Lennie's head.
will be dealt with severely. The authorities will "put him in a George's hand shakes violently, but he manages to fire, and
cage." George understands that such a fate for Lennie would Lennie jars and slumps forward on the sand.
be worse than death.
Curley, Carlson, Slim, and other members of the mob burst
If Lennie is killed or imprisoned, George could theoretically onto the scene and see that George has shot and killed Lennie.
continue to work and save money and buy the small farm with Carlson assumes George took the gun away from Lennie and
Candy. Here is where the psychological dynamics come into shot him. George agrees. Slim tries to console George, saying,
play. After George realizes what Lennie has done, Candy asks "You hadda, George. I swear you hadda." Slim and George
George if they will still buy a small farm. George replies that he head up a trail toward the highway. Curley and Carlson look
will fall back into the behavior of most migrant workers—that after them. Carlson says, "Now what the hell ya suppose is
is, earning 50 dollars and then spending it on prostitutes or eatin' them two guys?"
playing pool. As a result, he will be unable to save the money
to buy their farm. For George, his friendship with Lennie
provided motivation to break with the system and obtain land. Analysis
When Lennie is gone, George's motivation disappears, and so
too does his dream. In Chapter 6, Steinbeck completes his development of the
themes of entrapment, loneliness and friendship, and the
dream. Lennie hides out at the tranquil pool, just as George
Chapter 6 told him to. When George arrives, Lennie is surprised that his
friend is not following his usual behavior by scolding him. In
fact, Lennie has to prompt George to repeat his scolding
speech. George does so, but without any emotion. George
Summary knows he and Lennie are caught in the trap and that there is
no way out. George is faced with limited options: let the lynch
Lennie arrives at the tranquil pool, drinks water from it, and
mob kill Lennie, convince the mob to arrest Lennie, or kill
sits and waits for George. He imagines Aunt Clara scolding him
Lennie himself. George decides on the latter option because
about doing bad things and not appreciating what George
he is Lennie's close friend. George feels that killing Lennie
does for him. Lennie cries that he tries to do what is right.
himself quickly and without Lennie's knowledge is more
Then Lennie imagines a huge rabbit, which claims that Lennie
humane than submitting Lennie to the horrors and taunts of
cannot take good care of rabbits. The rabbit says that George
mob violence and possible long-term incarceration in a mental
is going to get sick of Lennie and leave him. Lennie cries out
hospital.
that George would never do this and repeats George's name.
George silently appears and asks what Lennie is yelling about. To make what he is about to do as painless for Lennie as
When Lennie asks if George is going to leave him, George says possible, George has Lennie look across the river, and he
no, reassuring Lennie. calms him by describing their dream. As George describes the
dream, it comes to resemble a vision of heaven where nothing
Lennie is surprised that George is not scolding him. George
can harm a person. As George tells Lennie, "Nobody gonna
repeats the words he usually says when he scolds Lennie, but
hurt nobody nor steal from 'em."
without any feeling behind them. Lennie asks George to tell
him how they are different from other guys. George says George's killing of Lennie by the tranquil pool creates
they're different because they have each other. Lennie cries situational irony. As the reader has seen, the pool is a symbol
triumphantly, "We got each other, that's what." George tells that represents a safe haven for George and Lennie. However,
Lennie to take off his hat and look across the river. Lennie it is in this "safe" place that George chooses to kill Lennie. In
obeys. George removes Carlson's Luger from his side pocket. this life, there is no place of safety that is truly free from

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Of Mice and Men Study Guide Quotes 17

troubles and abuse. Steinbeck contrasts the unique relationship between George
and Lennie with the lonely lives of the other workers. Here
Slim considers one reason why the workers choose isolation

g Quotes over companionship.

"He repeated his words "We could live offa the fatta the
rhythmically as though he had lan'."
said them many times before."
— Lennie, Chapter 3

— Narrator, Chapter 1
This quotation stresses the value of owning land. If Lennie and
George owned a farm, the land would provide for their needs,
The narrator stresses how the dream is something George and
thereby giving them a degree of freedom and self-sufficiency.
Lennie treasure and talk about over and over.

"I got you to look after me, and "I tell ya a guy gets too lonely an'
you got me to look after you." he gets sick."

— Crooks, Chapter 4
— Lennie, Chapter 1

Loneliness and friendship is a major theme of the book. Here

Through Lennie the narrator shows why Lennie and George
Crooks conveys how loneliness can be destructive. Despite
value their friendship so much.
their awareness Crooks and most of the other workers
continue on their lonely paths.

"Curley's like a lot of little guys.

He hates big guys." "Guys nearly crazy with loneliness
for land, but ... a blackjack game
— Candy, Chapter 2
took what it takes."
Through Candy the narrator calls attention to an aspect of
— Crooks, Chapter 4
Curley's personality that will lead to trouble. Curley tends to
dislike men bigger than himself before getting to know them.
He puffs himself up around big guys, being combative before Every bindlestiff wants land and the security it brings, but
having reason to be, as a way of dealing with his own migrant workers are their own worst enemies when it comes
insecurity about his small size. to securing this dream.

"I don't know why. Maybe "And then she was still, for Lennie
ever'body ... is scared of each had broken her neck."
other."
— Narrator, Chapter 5

— Slim, Chapter 2
The narrator describes the climax of the story, an event that

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Of Mice and Men Study Guide Symbols 18

seemed fated from the very beginning of the novel. George's an' hide in the brush." For George and Lennie, the pool is a
warning to Lennie to hide at the tranquil pool in Chapter 1 and place that they hope will protect them from the troubles of
the story in Chapter 3 of how the two had to run from Weed reality. The pool, however, ends up being the place where
after Lennie touched the girl wearing the red dress both Lennie is killed by his close friend. Even so, the pool does
foreshadowed this development. provide a peaceful atmosphere for Lennie when he is killed,
and compared to the cruel alternative awaiting him at the
hands of a lynch mob, Lennie does find some sort of peace.
"As happens sometimes, a moment George's instructions to Lennie to use the pool as a hideaway
if needed foreshadow the trouble that will happen later in the
settled ... hovered and remained novel.
for much more than a moment."

— Narrator, Chapter 5
Vulnerable Soft Animals
The narrator conveys the heaviness and stillness of the
moment after the death of Curley's wife. It is a dreadful and
fateful moment, and the narrator wants readers to consider Steinbeck uses vulnerable soft animals, including mice, rabbits,
what led up to it and how it will determine events to come. and puppies, to illustrate the dramatic irony (where the
audience is aware of something that the character is not) that
loving, gentle Lennie is capable of brute force even while
remaining oblivious to the fact that he is causing harm. Lennie
"Ain't gonna be no more trouble.
is a person who does not know his own strength. When he
Nobody gonna hurt nobody nor accidentally kills a puppy in Chapter 5, Lennie is truly surprised
steal from 'em." and upset. He says to the dead puppy, "You ain't so little as
mice. I didn't bounce you hard." For Lennie, there is a fine line
between affection and death. He could be gently playing with
— George, Chapter 6
an animal one moment and inadvertently kill it the next.
Additionally, Steinbeck uses the killing of these animals by
George retells the dream of the farm once more. Although he Lennie to foreshadow the death of Curley's wife later in that
uses these words to describe the peaceful and safe haven it same chapter.
will be for them, he could as easily be describing the place he
is preparing to send Lennie when he pulls the trigger and kills
him. Is he describing this calm place to give Lennie one more
happy moment or to reassure himself before he does what is Death of Candy's Dog
necessary?

Steinbeck uses the death of Candy's dog in Chapter 3 to

l Symbols foreshadow and symbolically represent Lennie's death.

Candy's dog has been a faithful companion for Candy for
many years. So, too, has Lennie been a companion for George.
Candy's dog is an innocent creature that does not intend harm
The Pool but nonetheless disrupts life at the ranch. The same is true for
Lennie. Candy's dog is killed, supposedly for the animal's own
benefit. Carlson states that the dog has "got no teeth. ... He's
all stiff with rheumatism." Similarly, George kills Lennie for
Situated in a tranquil area of the Salinas River, the pool Lennie's benefit. If Lennie were to be caught by the lynch mob,
represents a safe haven for George and Lennie. In Chapter 1, then Curley would probably taunt and torture Lennie before
they camp at the pool. George tells Lennie to come there if he killing him. Because of this, Slim says to George, "You hadda,
gets in trouble. He tells Lennie, "I want you to come right here

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Of Mice and Men Study Guide Themes 19

George. I swear you hadda." At the end of the novel, the dream shifts to a vision of the
afterlife, where there "ain't gonna be no more trouble." As
The death of the dog also symbolizes the fate of all the George prepares to shoot an unknowing Lennie, he describes
wandering bindlestiffs—most immediately, Candy. They all fill this vision to his friend. Lennie thinks George is just repeating
a useful purpose in the life of the ranch, until they get old or their pipe dream. In reality, George is depicting his view of
are injured and can no longer work. They may not be shot like heaven, where he hopes Lennie will go after he dies. In this
Candy's dog, but they are discarded and put on "the county" to life, George and Lennie face too many obstacles to make their
survive the best they can. dream a reality. George realizes that only in the afterlife can
this dream ever be achieved.

m Themes
Loneliness and Friendship
The Dream
The theme of loneliness and friendship consists of a duality, in
which one idea or attitude is contrasted with its opposite. So
throughout the novel, Steinbeck contrasts loneliness and
Steinbeck conveys the theme of the dream through Lennie
friendship. The author often conveys loneliness through the
and George's dream of owning a small farm. This theme
plight of the migrant workers. The vast majority of these
develops as the story progresses. In Chapter 1, George
workers live alone and without permanent ties to anyone.
describes to Lennie their dream of having a "little house and a
George states to Lennie, "Guys like us, that work on ranches,
couple of acres an' a cow and some pigs." George has
are the loneliest guys in the world." To avoid this fate, George
repeated this reverie to Lennie many times before. Lennie
and Lennie have forged a friendship that runs contrary to the
never tires of hearing it, especially the part about his tending
behavior of most migrants. Slim states, "Ain't many guys travel
rabbits. George, though, realizes that buying this small farm is
around together. ... I don't know why." As a result, most
really a pipe dream that probably will never happen. In
migrant workers constantly deal with the consequences of
Chapter 3, after Candy offers a partial payment on the small
loneliness. George states, "They ain't got nothing to look
farm, the narrator states, "This thing they had never really
ahead to."
believed in was coming true." Before Candy's offer, the dream
was just something George and Lennie used as a way to keep Workers often face loneliness because of harsh social
their spirits up as they faced daily hardships. conditions. On ranches, workers are kept around if they can
do useful work. When they can't, these people are discarded,
The dream is based on the friendship between George and
no matter how long they may have worked for a ranch.
Lennie. As Lennie states, "I got you to look after me ... you got
Because of this, Candy fears being left destitute and alone
me to look after you." In order to spend more time enjoying
after he can't sweep the bunkhouse anymore. He is an old
their friendship and less time just trying to survive, they want
man who has worked on the ranch for many years. Even
stability. Having a small farm would offer this stability.
though he was physically maimed by an accident that
With Candy's offer, the dream changes from an improbable happened on the ranch, Candy has little security in his later
fantasy to a possible reality. George, Lennie, and Candy sit in years. When George describes his dream farm, Candy jumps
silent wonder when they realize they could soon buy a farm. at the chance of joining him and Lennie. Doing this gives
George says thoughtfully, "I bet we could swing her." However, Candy friends he can rely on and eases his fear of being left
this development raises the stakes. Now George and Lennie alone in his old age.
definitely have to stay and work at the ranch for a month to
Loneliness is also brought on by racial and gender prejudice.
earn enough for the farm payment. Even though George is
Crooks is an isolated man embittered by years of racial abuse.
fully aware of the dangerous dynamics with Curley and his
As a black man, Crooks is not allowed to socialize with other
wife, he is determined to remain at the ranch, which plays into
workers, except for an occasional game of horseshoes. White
his and Lennie's entrapment.
society has rejected him and, in turn, he rejects this society as

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Of Mice and Men Study Guide Themes 20

much as he can while still earning a living. He forbids white save enough money to improve their social conditions.
people to enter his room, except for Slim and the boss. He George's friendship with Lennie helps him avoid this vicious
makes an exception for Lennie, Candy, and, to a certain extent, cycle. George has someone he cares about and feels
Curley's wife, who are all in their own ways social outcasts who responsible for. But after Lennie kills Curley's wife, George
deal with loneliness. Despite his bitterness, Crooks knows he will lose his friend and will fall back into the lonely,
demonstrates a need for friendship. When Candy mentions he shallow life that entraps migrants. "I'll take my fifty bucks an'
has some money saved to buy a small farm, Crooks asks, "If I'll stay all night in some lousy cat house," he says.
you ... want a hand to work for nothing ... why I'd come ... lend
a hand." Curley's wife faces loneliness because she's usually Steinbeck uses foreshadowing to convey an increasingly
the only female around. She's a young woman who is valued ominous mood in the story. This mood suggests that Lennie
by the male-dominated society because of her physical and George are trapped by fate. The foreshadowing consists
appearance. However, she yearns for a friendly relationship. of various hints, such as learning that Lennie got in trouble in
She asks Lennie, "Ain't I got a right to talk to nobody? Whatta his previous job in Chapter 1, Curley picking on Lennie in
they think I am, anyways?" Chapter 2, the flirtations of Curley's wife's in Chapter 2 and
Chapter 4, Candy's dog being shot in Chapter 3, and Lennie
For many of the characters in Of Mice and Men, loneliness and killing a puppy in Chapter 5.
friendship form an interconnected dynamic. Characters
experience loneliness and desire friendship as a relief.
Friendship remains elusive, however, except for George and
Lennie, who have broken the mold. e Suggested Reading
Benson, Jackson J., ed. The Short Novels of John Steinbeck:

Entrapment
Critical Essays with a Checklist to Steinbeck Criticism. Durham:
Duke UP, 1990. Print.

Crayola, Robert. 'Of Mice and Men': A Reader's Guide to the John
Steinbeck Novel. Lanham: Scarecrow, 2009. Print.
Steinbeck gradually develops the theme of entrapment as the
story progresses. Personal dynamics, social conditions, and
Meyer, Michael J. The Essential Criticism of John Steinbeck's 'Of
psychological elements all work together to ensnare Lennie
Mice and Men.' Lanham: Scarecrow, 2009. Print.
and George. The volatile dynamics between Curley, Curley's
wife, and Lennie contribute to the trap. Curley feels Steinbeck, John. Steinbeck: A Life in Letters. Ed. Elaine A.
threatened by large men and therefore hates Lennie. Curley's Steinbeck and Robert Wallsten. New York: Penguin, 1976.
wife needs affection and therefore turns to gentle Lennie. Print.
Innocent, slow-witted Lennie lacks the social sophistication to
deal with Curley and his wife. As a result, he injures Curley and Steinbeck, John. Of Mice and Men: A Play in Three Acts. New
accidentally kills Curley's wife. Curley seeks vengeance, a move York: Penguin, 2009. Print.
that leads to Lennie's death.

Social conditions contribute to the entrapment of Lennie and

George. In the 1930s, migrant workers had no job security.
They earned just enough to stay alive and have a little social
life. To counteract this insecurity, Lennie and George are
driven to save enough money to buy a farm. This drive for
security keeps them at the ranch despite the dangerous
dynamics, thereby leading to their entrapment. Psychological
factors also contribute to the trap. Because of the harshness
of their lives, migrant workers have a strong tendency to
spend whatever money they earn on amusement, such as
prostitutes and gambling. As a result, migrants are unable to

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