Looking Up to Slim's Character in Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

In conclusion, there are different types of power such as, social-economic, physical, and intellectual, which are displayed throughout the novella, “Of Mice and Men”. The following three: Slim, Curley’s Wife, and George, all exhibit power over other characters. These displays of power are abundant throughout the novel, but these are just a few snippets that I had found, which were

In the novel Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck has positioned the characters to help drive the plot, aid or hinder the protagonists, and deliver messages to readers. On the surface, Steinbeck’s novel seems to project a theme of loneliness, and man’s need for companionship. However, often the difference between the lonely and independent characters is obvious, and the contrast between the two groups is extreme. Most characters are completely alone, but how they manage their given circumstances can push the plot, reveal previously hidden traits that may benefit the overall story, and help the reader explore the novel itself more in depth.

In the novel Of Mice and Men, written by John Steinbeck, he had a character in the story named Slim. Slim was a jerkline skinner, the prince of the ranch as the others in the story called him. Everyone turned to him for a final judgment on the discussion, his word goes. In the novel, there are multiple characters with different archetypes. John Steinbeck has portrayed Slim as the wise/sage archetype. The intellectual and wise person, the person that wants to know the truth to comprehend the situation. Slim shows a leader role and a friendly practical and understandable guy. He wants to help and be friendly to all the other ranch hands. John Steinbeck the author of, Of Mice and Men has portrayed the character slim as a wise/sage archetype.

John Steinbeck’s realistic fiction novel, “Of Mice and Men”, introduces many different characters. The characters have a wide variety of personalities and characteristics. One such character, Curley is depicted as an insecure, jealous, and an aggressive man.

In the novella Of Mice and Men, the author Steinbeck expresses how power tangles around main characters. Both power and powerless are able to create positive and negative outcomes. There are Lennie Small and George Milton who show no restraint when it comes to power, Curley who suffers because of his greediness, and Slim who is in much better circumstance than all others due to his wisdom to withstand himself. Steinbeck demonstrates how those who do not realize they have to restrain themselves towards power above their ability will be more destructive than those who do.

The novel Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck emphasizes the division in social classes and social structure based on power. The novel and its themes are based around the characters’ interactions and decisions. Their motivations come directly from other characters, and the social construct on the ranch that controls the characters within the novel. Each character has their own journey of giving into the powers that control their society and lives which leads to each of their own inescapable demises.

Barbara Sher once said, “‘Isolation is a dream killer’” (qtd. in Wishcraft). In his novella, Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck scrutinizes the effects that alienation can have on society. Many characters experience loneliness throughout the novel. He illustrates the results of individuals becoming isolated from their peers. In Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck portrays characters alienated from society in order to illustrate the harmful effects of loneliness caused by discrimination.

The long, hard war of human equality in society, has been a war since the beginning of civilization. The Great Depression, a tragic time in America’s history, reflects American determination, but also social inequality. In the fiction novella, Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck uses symbolism and characterization to address ableism and sexism in society. Steinbeck addresses these flaws in society in an attempt to ultimately bring awareness these riffs before society falls.

His ear heard more than was said to him, and his slow speech had overtones not of thought, but of understanding beyond thought. His hands, large and lean, were as delicate in their action as those of a temple dancer.” (Steinbeck 34). In this quote from the book’s text Slim is seen as a powerful and legendary human being who is also exceptionally wise and understanding. Since Slim is described this way by the narrator of the story he must be special or important in a way involving the story, which makes me find him interesting. In addition, George made observations of Slim’s knowledge of persuasion while he was in the doorway, “His authority was so great that his word was taken on any subject, be it politics or love.” (33). Slim clearly is in a good state of mental health and intelligence for others to automatically agree or understand what he has to say. It would make sense that he would be mentally sane and wise since the narrator who created him as a character said so with Slim being such a great person through his descriptions of

Aspirations of success often drive individuals toward success. However if one only focuses on their dreams and not on working to achieve their goals, they will not be successful. Charles Dickens and John Steinbeck in their respective novels Great Expectations and Of Mice and Men, use their main characters failures in manifesting their aspirations to warn about the dangers of aspiring about the future and not focusing on success in the present.

Deep down inside, each person has a strong desire for a companion. Someone you can trust, who you can learn from and teach, but most importantly, one who can always be there for you no matter what happens. The relationship between the intelligent and feeble George Milton and the imbecile, but vigorous Lennie Small is displayed as the main objective in Steinbeck 's novel, Of Mice and Men. The description among these two characters is a form of juxtaposition because the two characters vary in several ways. The author’s intention of using this technique points out the differences between characters and how their personalities counteract each other significantly.

In his novel Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck uses many characters to show his assertion that man is basically evil. When Curley’s wife confronts Lennie, Crooks, and Candy in Crook’s place, she notes that the others “left all the weak ones here” (77). The “weak” ones that Curley’s wife refer to all attack each other in a vicious circular firing squad. Crooks taunts Lennie about the possibility of George not returning, and takes “pleasure in his torture” as he “[presses] forward for some kind of private victory” (71). Curley’s wife calls Candy and Lennie “a dum-dum and a lousy ol’ sheep” (78) and threatens to get Crooks “strung up on a tree” (81). Meanwhile, all the other characters are the ones that make those Lennie, Candy, Crooks, and Curley’s wife feel “weak” because they are disabled mentally, disabled physically, black, and female, respectively. In this way, Steinbeck shows that all men are basically evil as they do not lend a hand to each other and instead simply attack and prey upon each other.

The characters and the reader find his attempt to achieve sexual empowerment with his wife amusing and humorous. This shows the reader, Curley is mocked by the other workers and his terrorising approach towards them doesn’t work at a certain extent. Slim isn’t spoken of as much as Curley is, but in a conversation about Curley’s wife Slim is introduced by Candy. ‘Slims a jerkline skinner. Hell of a nice fella’ this shows the reader the workers enjoy speaking negatively of their peers and because they can’t find faults in Slim they don’t have the need to speak about him. Steinbeck doesn’t use other characters to show Slim in a good light but he uses them to degrade Curley’s status.

John Steinbeck’s book Of Mice and Men is an extraordinary novel with unique characteristics. The novel is about an uncommon friendship between two extremely different individuals who are living and working together. This story belong to the genres tragic realistic fiction, historical fiction and drama. The linking between the novel and The Great Depression emphasizes throughout the story, which makes the novel very realistic and down to earth. The author touches on several themes such as: the unreachable American dream, the economic injustices, loneliness, friendship and people’s propensity for cruelty. In this book review, we will get into a deeper understanding of what the actual story means.

For these reasons, I think Slim has the most power in the novel because he has manipulating skills which can alter a person’s decision for his advantage. He has social skills and a communication with others. And lastly, the ability to concur the only woman at the ranch with his charming face. With his manipulating skills, he guided Curley’s thoughts and managed to get him focused on his reputation and not who caused his injury. With that skill, he helped George and Lennie to have a good reputation in front of the other men and the Boss. Also, so many people at the ranch respect Slim, that all listen when he talks. Nobody has the reason to talk back at him, even Curley. Even after knowing that his wife has something going on with Slim, he