Section 3 - Overview

Section 3 Overview

In this section we learn more about George and Lennie's friendship and how they both benefit from it. Lennie's fight with Curley hints at how Lennie does not understand his strength.

George and Lennie's friendship

George's conversation with Slim shows how friendship with Lennie has taught George to be more responsible and how it has stopped him from becoming bitter and unkind, like most of the other men he encounters.

Carlson's loneliness

Carlson can’t understand how Candy could be so emotionally attached to his dog.
This suggests that he has got so used to being alone that he no longer feels emotionally attached to people or animals.

Survival on the ranch

This incident of the ‘strong’ (Carlson) killing the ‘weak’ (Candy’s dog) shows how the ranch is the kind of place where only the strongest survive.
This foreshadows future events.

Candy's desire to belong

Having lost his only companion, his dog, Candy sees an opportunity with George and Lennie to find a new sense of belonging.
His desperation to avoid being alone is so strong that he is prepared to contribute everything he has in order to join George and Lennie.

Lennie's violence

The fight shows just how much Lennie depends on George: he simply does not know what to do until George instructs him.
It also shows that Lennie is not a naturally aggressive or violent person but, if required, he has immense physical strength.
However, Slim's support for Lennie is a hopeful moment.

1Context & Overview

1.1Context & Overview

1.1.1The Great Depression

1.1.2Racism

1.1.3The American Dream

1.1.4Of Mice & Men

1.2John Steinbeck

1.2.1John Steinbeck's Life

1.2.2End of Topic Test - Context & Overview

2Plot

2.1Section 1 - Analysis

2.1.1Section 1 - Plot

2.1.2Section 1 - Overview

2.2Section 2 - Analysis

2.2.1Section 2 - Plot

2.2.2Section 2 - Overview

2.3Section 3 - Analysis

2.3.1Section 3 - Plot

2.3.2Section 3 - Overview

2.3.3End of Topic Test - Sections 1-3

2.4Section 4 - Analysis

2.4.1Section 4 - Plot

2.4.2Section 4 - Overview

2.5Section 5 - Analysis

2.5.1Section 5 - Plot

2.5.2Section 5 - Overview

2.6Section 6 - Analysis

2.6.1Section 6 - Plot

2.6.2Section 6 - Overview

2.6.3End of Topic Test - Sections 4-6

3Key Characters

3.1Main Characters

3.1.1George

3.1.2Lennie - Strength

3.1.3Lennie - Innocence & Dependence

3.1.4Slim

3.1.5Curley

3.1.6Curley's Wife - Flirtatious

3.1.7Curley's Wife - Lonely & Heartbroken

3.1.8Crooks

3.1.9Candy

3.1.10End of Topic Test - George & Lennie

3.1.11End of Topic Test - Slim, Curley & Curley's Wife

3.2Minor Characters

3.2.1Minor Characters

3.2.2End of Topic Test - Crooks, Candy & Others

4Themes

4.1Key Themes

4.1.1Hopes, Dreams & Reality

4.1.2Racial Prejudice

4.1.3Loneliness & Companionship

4.1.4The Weak & Strong

4.1.5Women

4.1.6End of Topic Test - Key Themes

5Authorial Method

5.1Writing Techniques

5.1.1Dialogue

5.1.2Imagery

5.1.3Light

5.1.4Sound

5.1.5Symbolism

5.1.6Structure

5.1.7End of Topic Test - Writing Techniques

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