Of Mice and Men: A Comprehensive Character Analysis
The Of Mice and Men summary centers on George Milton and Lennie Small, two migrant workers during America's Great Depression. Their extraordinary friendship stands out against the harsh backdrop of 1930s California. George, sharp-witted but small in stature, serves as protector to Lennie, who possesses tremendous physical strength but has the mind of a child. Their relationship forms the emotional core of this Of Mice and Men Interpretation.
The novel's character dynamics reveal complex social hierarchies within the ranch setting. Slim, the respected jerkline skinner, represents moral authority and wisdom. His judgment carries weight with all the workers, including the antagonistic Curley. Candy, the aging swamper, and Crooks, the isolated Black stable hand, represent the marginalized figures whose dreams of independence mirror George and Lennie's aspirations.
Definition: The term "bindle stiff" refers to migrant workers who carried their belongings in bindles bundles as they moved from ranch to ranch seeking work.
The Of Mice and Men genre combines elements of social realism, tragedy, and psychological drama. Through its portrayal of ranch life, the novel examines themes of friendship, loneliness, and the American Dream. The characters' relationships highlight both the possibility of human connection and its fragility in a world defined by economic hardship and social prejudice.