Choose one character that each represents one of the following: meanness, kindness and a mixture of both. Discuss how John Steinbeck presents their qualities.
In of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck presents some characters that are kind, mean and a mixture of both. The characters that I have chosen are Slim, Curley and George. In this essay I will be writing about how John Steinbeck presents their qualities by studying what the characters have done, said and the language that they have used.
I have chosen Slim to represent kindness. In the novel Slim is presented as the leader who is well respected by the people working in the ranch.
'..He moved with a majesty only achieved by royalty and master craftsmen.'
'His ear heard more than what was said to him and his slow speech had overtones ....of understanding beyond thought'
These quotes show that Slim is high up the hierarchy.
Although some people are intimidated by him he is generally a kind person who has an understanding of George and Lennie's relationship. Slim understands Lennie's condition which helps George because Slim is able to show sympathy towards him.
'Jesus, he's jes like a kid, ain't he?'
This shows that Slim understands Lennie's strange behaviour.
Especially at the end of the novel when George forces himself to kill Lennie, Slim reassures him that he is making the right decision and is the only one who really understands George's grief in the end.
This shows what Slim says to reassure George
'Never you mind ....a guy got to sometimes'
I have chosen Curley to represent meanness. Curley tries to presents himself as a tough and aggressive man towards who he thinks is a threat to him. Curley shows aggressive behaviour towards those who are bigger than him because Curley is a small man. He does this to make himself seem bigger and so people are intimidated by him. This is shown the following quote that is said by Candy
In of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck presents some characters that are kind, mean and a mixture of both. The characters that I have chosen are Slim, Curley and George. In this essay I will be writing about how John Steinbeck presents their qualities by studying what the characters have done, said and the language that they have used.
I have chosen Slim to represent kindness. In the novel Slim is presented as the leader who is well respected by the people working in the ranch.
'..He moved with a majesty only achieved by royalty and master craftsmen.'
'His ear heard more than what was said to him and his slow speech had overtones ....of understanding beyond thought'
These quotes show that Slim is high up the hierarchy.
Although some people are intimidated by him he is generally a kind person who has an understanding of George and Lennie's relationship. Slim understands Lennie's condition which helps George because Slim is able to show sympathy towards him.
'Jesus, he's jes like a kid, ain't he?'
This shows that Slim understands Lennie's strange behaviour.
Especially at the end of the novel when George forces himself to kill Lennie, Slim reassures him that he is making the right decision and is the only one who really understands George's grief in the end.
This shows what Slim says to reassure George
'Never you mind ....a guy got to sometimes'
I have chosen Curley to represent meanness. Curley tries to presents himself as a tough and aggressive man towards who he thinks is a threat to him. Curley shows aggressive behaviour towards those who are bigger than him because Curley is a small man. He does this to make himself seem bigger and so people are intimidated by him. This is shown the following quote that is said by Candy
