Explore the Character Candy in "Of Mice and Men".

The first 200 words of this essay...

Throughout the novel, the themes of loneliness and the American dream are portrayed throughout. Steinbeck effectively uses the character, candy and his relationship with his dog to portray the dull and dismal society of 1930s America and the harsh effect it had on migrant workers across America.

To initiate, the significance of Candy is first depicted through his name which implies his sweet caring nature which is evident for example through the relationship with his dog, 'i had him since he was a pup.' In addition, his recent friendship with George and Lennie and the joining of their dream implies that he is a likable character as Lennie and George form a bond with him. However, another facet of candy's character is later discovered by the audience as Steinbeck portrays him as a pathetic character- he often gossips about other ranch workers, 'you seen that glove on his left hand... that gloves fulla Vaseline... keepin that hand soft for his wife.' This pathetic characteristic candy possess is perhaps used as a vehicle to portray how ranch workers in the time of the great depression were also quite pathetic due to the greater forces at work such as the wall