Suggests an attractive, almost-princely appearance confirmed by Curley’s suspicions (that Slim is attractive to his wife) and how the men admire and look up to him. “Understanding beyond thought” He doesn’t need to think through to ‘get them’; he realises instinctively how George and Lennie get along, what Lennie is like, and why George had to kill Lennie. “There was gravity in his manner… all talk stopped when he spoke” He is respected and listened to; and what he has to say usually has ‘gravity’ – power and importance.
“His hands, large and lean, were as delicate in their action as those of a temple dancer” His hands are masculine and strong, but also seem skilful and tender, implying he is almost like an artist or performer, as a simile suggests. George How is George described and what does it mean? Quotations Mean? George is “small and quick, dark of face, with restless eyes and sharp, strong features”. This suggests intelligence, a strong personality but also some unhappiness (‘restless’) “What the hell kind of bed you giving us, anyways? We don’t want no pants rabbits.”
George is clean-living and healthy “I aint nothing to scream about, but [Lennie] there can put up more grain alone than most pairs can” George is modest “You keep away from Curley, Lennie” George is a good judge of character, and can sense danger. Get ‘im Lennie He has a sense of justice, and will not allow Lennie be beaten up. Candy How is Candy described and what does it mean? Quotations Mean? Candy is a “Tall, stoop shouldered old man”, who has lost his right hand. Right from the start Candy’s age and his physical weakness are emphasised.
Candy is also described through his dog, “A drag-footed sheep dog, grey of muzzle and with pale, blind old eyes” Candy’s relationship with his dog is like George’s relationship with Lennie, not something rational but an antidote to loneliness. Candy, Candy rather like his dog, is old, infirm and weak. Lennie How is Lennie described and what does it mean? Quotations Mean? He is “a huge man, shapeless of face… and he walked… the way a bear drags his paws. His arms… hung loosely. ” Suggests Lennie’s size and strength, but also that he is simple animal-like.
“An’ I won’t get no mice stole from me” Lennie may be childlike and innocent, but he knows how to make George feel guilty. [Lennie] can put up more grain Alone than most pairs can. ” Lennie is incredibly strong and George sees it as an asset in their work. “I didn’t want no trouble” Lennie doesn’t mean to do harm. He just doesn’t realise his own strength. “I done real bad thing,” he said, I shouldn’t have did that. George’ll be mad” Lennie reveals that he cannot control himself, and he has no moral judgement. Things are ‘good’ or ‘bad’ to Lennie depending on what George will think of them.
Curley How is Curley described and what does it mean? Quotations Mean? “He hates big guys. He’s alla time picking scraps with big guys. Kind of like he’s mad at ‘em because he aint a big guy” Curley seems set on proving that he is a big man in all but size. His success as an amateur boxer is an obsession, so every person he meets is seen as a possible opponent. “Curley says he’s keeping that hand soft for his wife” Curley makes obscene allusions to his wife and goes to the brothel on Saturday nights. “I don’t like Curley. He aint a nice fella”
Curley only sees the world through his eyes and so is supremely selfish. His inability to control or understand his wife brings about Lennie’s death. He is to blame, just as much as his wife and Lennie, but will never accept that. Curley’s Wife How is Curley’s wife described and what does it mean? Quotations Mean’she had full, rouged lips and wide-spaced eyes, heavily made up. Her fingernails were red. Her hair hung in little rolled clusters, like sausages” “Curley’s wife is described as a “tart” and is seen as “jail bait” by the ranch hands”
“Think im gonna stay in that two-by-four house and listen to how Curley’s gonna lead with his left twice, and then bring in the ‘old right cross? Curley’s wife is very lonely, and she is trapped in a loveless marriage. “You know what I can do to you if you open your trap? ” She can be vindictive and she will use the power her status gives her, even if it is totally unfair. “He says he was gonna put me in the movies” Curley’s wife has her dream destroyed too. Crooks How is Crooks described and what does it mean? Quotations Mean? “Crooks was a proud, aloof man… his eyes… seemed to glitter with intensity…
He had thin, plain tightened lips” Crooks’ life is dominated by pain – the pain of being the only black man and of his “busted back” – but he has managed to rise above that pain. “I aint wanted in the bunk house… ‘Cause im black” Crooks is a victim of racial prejudice “I had enough”, he said coldly. “You got no rights comin’ in a coloured man’s room” Crooks has enough pride and independent to stand up to Curley’s wife. “Crooks had reduced himself to nothing. There was no personality, no ego – nothing to arouse either like or dislike,” The futility of Crooks’ stand shows how little power a black person has in the world of this novel.
