An overview of the Characters from Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

As part of our FREE character profiles for 12 key GCSE texts. We want to help you revise and learn GCSE English and GCSE English Literature to your full potential.

• George Milton: A sharp-witted, intelligent man who is friends with Lennie. He feels responsible for caring for Lennie. George dreams of one day buying his own land with Lennie and making a better life.

• Lennie Small: An immensely strong but gentle man who has a mental disability. Lennie’s loving nature combined with his disability and great strength result in him tragically hurting or killing the soft creatures he loves. He dreams of living from the land he intends to buy with George and being able to tend to rabbits.

• Candy: A one handed ranch worker who is nearing retirement and shares George and Lennie’s dream of buying their own Homestead.

• Candy’s dog: An old lame dog that is killed by Carlson. The death of the Dog and its release from suffering can be seen as similar to the eventual fate of Lennie.

• Curley: Once a semi-professional boxer, Curley is the bad tempered son of the Boss. He is a very jealous character who distrusts his wife and takes a disliking to Lennie

• Curley’s wife: The young, pretty wife of Curley. Steinbeck does not give the name of Curley’s wife which is unusual for a main character. Curley’s wife is used to create the tragic fate of Lennie.

• Slim: The main driver of a team of mules. Slim is respected even by the disagreeable Curley.

• Crooks: Made bitter by his discrimination as the only black ranch hand. Crooks is a sad and suffering character who gets his name from his crooked spine.

• Carlson: A big strong ranch hand who shows little sympathy in the killing of Candy’s dog.

• Whit: A minor character who is a ranch hand.

• The Boss: Runs the ranch for a land company. The father of Curley.

• Aunt Clara: Lennie’s Auntie who gives depth of character through providing reference to the past.

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