Monday 12 th April

1. Monday 12th April Of Mice and Men Character Revision

2. Lennie • Nice guy – innocence; companion to George • Lennie Small – irony of name, child’s mind in a man’s body. Slim says: “He’s jes’ like a kid” • Childlike/innocent • Compared to animals • Hardworking • Burden/dangerous • Warm/kind hearted

3. George • Hard-working; carer for Lennie

4. Candy • Not much use; swamper/menial jobs • Sweet guy – name • The oldest worker on the ranch – hand cut off by a cultivator • “They’ll can me purty soon jus’ as soon as I can’t swamp out no bunkhouses.” • “No, I couldn’t do that I had ‘im too long.” (about his dog) • The ranch paid him money because of his accident. • He offered to use $ for George & Lennie’s dream which he wants to be a part of – sees it as his only escape. • Death of dog foreshadows death of Lennie. • The guilt of not shooting his dog, means that George doesn’t make that mistake with Lennie.

5. Curley • Show off, strutt about; antagonistic • “A thin young man with a brown face, brown eyes and a head of tightly curled hair.” • Authority – “unlike the boss, he wore high-heeled boots.” • Background – lightweight boxer. • “Curley’s like a lot of little guys. He’s all the time picking scraps with big guys” • Only man with a woman. • Always searching her out – never have them together. Treats like she’s his property. • Threatening – knows the men won’t fight him as they’ll lose their job. Doesn’t understand Lennie, doesn’t realise the men won’t back him up.

6. Curley’s wife • Look pretty; decoration • Opens up to Lennie • “jailbait” • Always wear red – shows sexuality; passion; danger • Flirtatious • Sly • “I get lonely. You can talk to people, but I can’t talk to nobody but Curley.” • Curley’s possession “he gets mad” if she talks to anyone else. • Wants company • Misunderstood • Had a dream “coulda been in the movies” • Uses her power as Curley’s wife • Nameless

7. Crooks • Stable hand; adds racism/prejudice • Name – crooked, crippled • Sensitive when people enter his room “You got no right to come in my room.” • Defensive – turns • “nice guy” • Acts as servant • Informative/educated “he had books, too; a tattered dictionary and a mauled copy of the California civil code for 1905. There were a few magazines and a few dirty books” • Neglected/isolated by others “I can’t play (cards) because I’m black. They say I stink.” • “If I say something, why it’s just a nigger sayin’ it.” • “Nobody never gets to heaven, and nobody gets no land.”

8. Slim • Confidante; someone to admire/respect; authority • “Go out with Slim’s team.” shows he is leader. • Friendly tone, respected by all others. “Get on my team.” • “Sometimes a guy just got to sometimes.” shows got to do things you don’t want to do. • “These guys just come.” speaks for others. • Makes decisions – Candy’s dog • Curley’s hand – he decides on the story. • “Carlson stepped back to let Slim precede him.” - respect