Protagonist: George and Lennie are the main protagonists in the story since they are all try to do as best as they can under the worst circumstance.
18. “He glanced coldly at George and then at Lennie. His arms gradually bent at the elbows and his hands closed into fists.” (25)
Antagonist: Curley is clearly the antagonist because he does not like Lennie and George and has a fight with Lennie.
19. “She yells and we got to hide in an irrigation ditch all day with guys lookin' for us, and we got to sneak in the dark and get outta the country. All the time somethi' like that -