Characters In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

There are five critical scenes in the third chapter of John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men. Some characters are more vulnerable than others; for example, readers can interpret Candy as an old, weak, handicapped man. Steinbeck's treatment of Candy suggests that, within a competitive society, the strong will benefit from the weak. Three characters who are more powerful than Candy use his weaknesses against him so that they may profit from his work. One ‘ranch hand’ who has more power than Candy is Carlson. Candy’s handicap of not having a right hand is intentionally repeated by Steinbeck throughout the story. Carlson has the qualities of a Jester archetype. Carlson only worries about what is currently happening, while occasionally cracking a joke. Carlson is the only man who complains about the smell of Candy’s dog, saying that the “stink hangs around [the bunkhouse] even after he’s gone” (page 44), showing that he only cares about how the bunkhouse smells now. He …show more content…
Candy is still saying in his bunk facing the wall and can’t help but hear the story, so he joins the conversation. Candy tells the young men that he lost his hand on the ranch that they’re on now, that that’s the only reason they gave him the dirty “‘swampin’’” (page 59) job. Since Candy lost his hand, Boss pays him extra. But Candy knows that as soon as he can’t clean toilets or sweep the bunkhouse anymore he will lose his job on the ranch. Though, if Candy went to this dream ranch with Lennie and George he will have a home and a place to work. George only agrees to let Candy come because Candy already has $350 in his bank account and is willing to put all of that and his upcoming paycheck towards the ranch. Candy also tells the boys that he’ll “‘make a will an’ leave my share to you guys in case I [Candy] kick off’” (page 59), which suggests that George uses Candy’s loneliness and money to be able to buy the dream