Furthermore, Slim is used to portray the qualities needed by men to show masculinity. “A tall man stood in the doorway.” The word “tall” is used to show one of the key features needed to be authoritative in 1930s America. The short sentence shows how his height is good enough to be authoritative. In 1930s discrimination was at an all-time high and people who were black, disabled or old were not good enough to be authoritative figures. Slim has all the qualities to be masculine and powerful. Slim has hands that are “large and lean” and they “were as delicate in their action as those of a temple dancer.” His large hands resemble his overall presence of a large and powerful character; however, the way his hands were described “as those of a temple dancer” elucidates to the way he still has grace and skill. Steinbeck uses hands as a symbol – Lennie’s huge hands, Curley’s wife sausage fingers and candy’s missing hand. The hands are used as a motif to symbolise how much power they behold.
Slim is also seen as a very likeable character. Candy says he is “hell of a nice fella” and is described as being “the prince of the ranch.” These two opinions would only be obtainable if people like him on the ranch. His kindness and authoritative figure helps the reader to compare him to Curley who is disliked. In some aspects, Slim is used by Steinbeck as a way of letting the reader compare him to Curley to emphasise Curley’s flaws. His likeness is also caused by his kindness. He is very kind to Lennie by giving him a pup and when George thanks him for his kindness he says, “It wasn’t nothing,” and says to George “maybe he ain’t bright, but I never seen such a worker. “After showing his generosity and kindness by giving a Lennie a pup Slim continues to show kindness by complimenting Lennie. He shows respect to his workers and sees behind Lennie’s child-like qualities unlike other people in 1930s America where discrimination was very common.
Steinbeck’s uses Slim to show the hard life of 1930s America. When candy’s dog is going to be shot slim says:
““Yeah,” he said. “You can have a pup if you want to.” He seemed to shake himself free for speech. “Carl’s right, Candy. That dog ain’t no good to himself.”
Slim shows kindness by offering Candy a pup but then shows his reluctance to be involved with this as he has to “shake himself free” this indicates he feels sad for Candy. Slim is very good at sensing emotions unlike the other ranch workers. Steinbeck is showing how Slim is more considerate than the other migrant workers. In 1930s America and during the Great Depression people were very unkind. However, Slim is very friendly. Steinbeck also use Slim to show how during the Great Depression when life was hard, even Slim (a moral man) feels it is necessary to kill the dog.
Slim also shows qualities like the other ranch workers. When he first talks to George and finds out that he and Lennie travel together he says “Ain’t many guys travel around together.” Even a man like Slim finds it strange that Lennie and George travel together. It is unusual because during the 1930s in America most men left their families to search for work as it was easier to find a job. Steinbeck is reinforcing how strange Lennie and George’s situation is as during the Great Depression life was very lonely for migrant workers.
In conclusion, Slim is used by Steinbeck to express many key themes of the book and its setting. He is used to show how authority was assigned to differently in 1930s America. As the most authoritative character his qualities are important to the novella.
