Slim does not pry or resort to bullying tactics when extracting information about George’s past, rather he exudes a “calm invitation to confidence”. The effect of this is that George appears to feel comfortable and at ease, and he is able to expand his relationship with Lennie. George does not appear to hold back when describing the close and loving relationship he shares with Lennie. For example, George states, “Him and me was both born in Auburn. I knowed his Aunt Clara. When Aunt Clara died, Lennie just come along with me out workin’. Got kinda used to each other after a little while.’ Slim’s calm and gentle presence allows George to reveal these intimate personal details about his shared history with Lennie. It is as George’s voice takes on the tone of a confessor. The fact that George feels he is able to reveal these details to Slim allows the plot to appear more realistic. If this information was not available, I think that it would seem quite strange that these two men were traveling together, just as Curley mistakens the relationship between George and Lennie. He says, “Oh, so it’s that way.” when George says, “We travel together.”
George appears to have complete trust in Slim. Indeed everyone seems to trust Slim, even George says just before he retells his story, “You wouldn’ tell? – no, course you wouldn’”.
Slim is not at all judgemental when George describes how the citizens of Weed accused Lennie of rape. Slim’s assessment of the situation is that Lennie “ain’t mean”. Slim is a very intuitive and sensitive character who is able to recognize Lennie’s naivety. He states, “Jesus, he’s jes’ like a kid.”
Slim in addition, comments on the life of an itinerant worker. Again this is one of the main themes as is the undercurrent of violence that is always present in the text. Slim refers to this when he states, “Yeah they get mean. They get so they don’t want to talk to nobody.” Slim clearly reveals here the solitariness and loneliness of a ranch hands’ existence. This sense of isolation is also reinforced by Candy’s desperate comments that “I won’t have no place to go, an’ I can’t get no more jobs”. Crooks also reveals how lonely he is when he states, “A guy goes nuts if he ain’t got nobody. I tell ya a guy gets too lonely an’ he gets sick.” The loneliness seems to spread like a disease. However, unlike the others, Slim is not infected. Neither is he infected by prejudice. Unlike the others Slim does not take advantage of Crooks because he is black and does not treat him any differently to the others. For example, when Crooks says, “I can do it if you want, Mr.Slim.” Slim’s fair and just personality is again demonstrated when it becomes obvious that Slim refuses to isolate Crooks, rather he involves him and treats him the same as the others. For example, Crooks states plainly that “Nobody been here but Slim.”
Slim’s authority and respect is also revealed when Crooks calls him “Mr.Slim”. Unlike the other workers Slim does not take advantage of Crooks because he is black. He does not treat him any differently to the others. For example, when Crooks says, “I can do it if you want, Mr.Slim.”, Slim replies, “No. I’ll come do it myself.” Curley also appears to view Slim as a rival for his wife’s affection. He demands angrily, “Where’s the hell’s Slim?” when looking for his wife. Slim’s patient and understanding character is seen here as the absolute opposite to Curley’s violent and cruel charater. Ironically it is Slim who is the “prince of the ranch” rather than Curley who as the boss’ son should have this title. Loneliness and violence become interconnected and also becomes a means of survival. The ranch hands’ respect for Slim’s opinions is made clear when Candy makes the final decision to kill his dog after Slim’s comment that “I wish’t somebody’d shoot me if I get old an’ a cripple.” Slim’s sensitive and compassionate nature is also highlighted when he attempts to spare Candy’s feelings by asking Carlson to “take a shovel” to bury the dog. He also informs Candy that he “can have any one of them pups you want.”
The theme of authority is explored through the characters of Slim and Curley. Curley continuously boosts his confidence and self-esteem with the threat of violence, whereas Slim is able to demand respect through a non-violent means. Further, Curley seems to delight in threatening violence over the others and is always prepared to take advantage of those who are weak. This is especially clear in his attitude and actions towards Lennie. Curley’s attitude is the absolutely opposite to Slim’s. When speaking to Lennie he states, “Come on, ya big bastard. Get up on your feet. No big son-of-a-bitch is gonna laugh at me. I’ll show ya who’s yella.” Ironically it is Slim who is the “prince of the ranch” rather than Curley who as the boss’ son should have this title.
Slim is accommodating and supportive to those around him with an inate sense of justice which in turn gains the others respect. However, it is interesting to note that Slim is not above resorting to violence if he has to defend himself or when he feels a situation demands it. Indeed the text states for the first time that Slim was “scowling” when Curley intimated that there was something between Slim and his wife. Slim states in a somewhat aggressive way that “I’m getting’ God damn sick of it. If you can’t look after your own God damn wife, what you expect me to do about it? You lay offa me.” He goes on to state, “The dirty little rat. I’ll get ‘um myself.” This reaction to Curley’s sudden attack on Lennie makes Slim appear a far more realistic and believable character. Indeed the idealization that can at times surround his character begins to disappear at this stage.
Steinbeck’s portrayal of Slim as an almost biblical saint does appear at times a little unbelievable. However it is his role as confidante which becomes central to the development of a convincing plot. His character repeatedly reinforces contrasts in order to highlight issues of violence and loneliness throughout the text. Ultimately Slim becomes the most believable and likable character in the book.
