Of Mice and Men

Curley is the bully of the ranch. Compensation for his size; he is referred to, by Candy, as

“scrappy”. Always trying to pick fights with those bigger than he is to prove himself.

“The book is Steinbeck's statement of the pain of human loneliness and the struggle of man to find a home within the "fat of the land."”

Carlson is the type of man George wants to avoid becoming.

he is the epitome of antisocial personality disorder (disorder where one disregards others feelings and rights).

he represents an angel before it fell, whereas George would be the angel after it had already fallen.

Slim is that self-possessed man George hopes to become by owning his own place.

A biblical approach to their relationship would be an allusion to the story of Cain and Abel in Genesis. Wherein Cain draws Abel into a field and kills him. When God asks where Abel is, Cain replies, "Am I my brother's keeper?" This is almost exactly what happens with George and Lennie except George seems sincerely upset from what he did to his friend and companion.

Steinbeck seems to be implying that a body without a mind in control can be carried away- a person must be in balance of ego and id, as George and Lennie are together.

George and Lennie are small men, with modest ambitions and honest intentions. Their greatest dream in life is to own and operate a small ranch with few chickens, pigs, and rabbits for Lennie.

Women lead men astray not only in the quest for the Holy Grail but also in the simple men’s quest for happiness.