Of Mice and Men: Character Profiles

George Milton

George Milton is a small, quick man with sharp features.
He is intelligent and ambitious, always looking at how things could be improved.
George functions as the protector, and more or less as a parent, for Lennie, who is mentally handicapped.
Throughout the novella, George’s frustration with Lennie’s limitations and negative impact on his life echo sharply. Nevertheless, he displays deep loyalty and love.
His dream of owning a farm with Lennie reflects his love of freedom and disdain for authority.

Lennie Small is a large man with a mind of a child. His strength often gets him into trouble.
Lennie is mentally handicapped, needing constant reminders and guidance from George.
Despite being ‘small’ mentally, Lennie has an enormous amount of physical strength, but he doesn’t know how to control it.
His love for soft things leads to tragedy against creatures and ultimately humans.
At heart, Lennie is a kind but simple soul, embodying innocence and symbolising the vulnerability of the weak.

Slim is a highly skilled mule driver, respected and admired by everyone on the ranch.
He is presented as calm, cool-headed, and confident.
Slim is a figure of natural authority. His opinions and judgments carry weight among the men.
He understands the bond between George and Lennie, showing kindness and empathy towards Lennie’s mental limitations.
Slim represents the moral conscience within the novel, often acting as a mediator in conflicts.

Candy, a swamper at the ranch, has been reduced to low status due to his age and physical limitations (a missing hand).
His relationship with his aged dog mirrors George and Lennie’s relationship, illustrating the themes of loyalty and tragic loss.
Candy clings onto the dream of the farm with George and Lennie, showing his affinity towards companionship and hope.
His decision to have his dog killed is a notable turning point in the novel.

Curley, the boss’s son and the antagonist of the novel, uses his status to intimidate others.
He is short and muscular, harbouring insecurities about his size.
Curley’s aggression and mean-spirited manner are largely due to his jealousy and fear of the larger men.
His relationship with his wife is rife with mistrust and spite, creating an atmosphere of tension and danger.
Curley’s lack of empathy and constant aggression serve as a stark contrast to characters like George and Slim.

Curley’s Wife is the only female character in the novel, constantly objectified and referred to in terms of her relationship with Curley.
She is depicted as lonely and dreamy, constantly seeking attention from the ranch hands but receiving scorn and suspicion instead.
Her loneliness and desperation lead her to seek comfort in Lennie, which leads to tragic consequences.
She symbolises the harsh reality of women’s roles and struggles during the Great Depression.