Of Mice and Men Plot Analysis
Initial Situation
George and Lennie are two traveling men on their way to a ranch in the Salinas Valley.
We are introduced to the unique relationship between Lennie and George. We learn George is the brains of the operation, and Lennie is simple-minded but earnest. We also get good amount of foreshadowing: we learn that the men have left Weed because of the strange incident of Lennie touching a girl’s dress. Before they’ve even gotten to the ranch, George warns Lennie that if anything bad happens, they’re to meet in this grove. (We have no reason to believe anything will go wrong until we’re practically told something will.) Perhaps the most important function of this "initial situation" is to explain that the men are in search of money for one big reason; they’ve got a dream of owning a little place of their own. As George tells Lennie the well-worn story of the place they’ll have, we realize this relationship goes both ways. From George, Lennie gets protection and guidance, but George needs Lennie, too. Lennie believes in George, and George can use all the faith he can get. This gruffly loving arrangement has cemented their bond as friends.
Conflict
Curley, the ranch boss’s son, has it out for Lennie; Curley’s wife might have it out for Lennie too, but in a different way.
From the first chapter, we know that Lennie’s mental deficiency and physical strength are not a good combination, as they get Lennie into trouble easily. We already know that Lennie’s shenanigans cost the men their last job, and George’s hope is to keep Lennie quiet and out of trouble on this one. The entrance of Curley and Curley’s wife into the story ensures that George will have no such luck. Curley is immediately interested in Lennie because he’s big and dumb, and thus an ideal candidate for Curley to abuse. Curley’s wife also seems to take note of Lennie because he isn’t as scornful as the others. Curley seems to be itching for a fight, and his wife is lonely. All told, it is bad news for Lennie.
Complication
Lennie crushes Curley’s hand.
Once Curley lights into Lennie and George encourages him to fight back, the seal has been broken – any chance Lennie had to just mind his own business is over. The good news is that Slim gets Curley to agree on a cover story (that he got his hand caught in a machine). Curley can’t do anything about Lennie and George right now, but we can be certain he’s really got it in for the big guy. Curley’s just going to wait for Lennie to slip up before raining down his angry wrath.
Climax
Lennie kills Curley’s wife.
Things are going too well on the farm. Since it’s the Depression, something’s bound to go wrong. We meet Lennie in the barn with a dead puppy, and are reminded that his own deficiency means things can never go right for him in the long-run. The other shoe drops when Curley’s wife gets added to the victims of Lennie’s pet of death. At this moment, it’s clear that Lennie’s deficiency isn’t just harmless; it’s going to be his death sentence.
Suspense
George tries to get to Lennie before Curley can find him.
Curley is gunning (literally) for Lennie, and George realizes he’s got to do something. George seems stunned – not by what’s happened, but by what must happen next. He discusses options with Slim: he knows he can’t let Curley shoot Lennie in the guts, but he can’t handle the idea of having his friend locked up in a cage like an animal, either. What will George do?
Denouement
George shoots Lennie.
This was really all George could do to save Lennie from a hellish life in an asylum, or death at Curley’s hands.
Conclusion
George continues on without Lennie or the dream farm.
George has done what seems to be the best option in the worst situation. We can be pretty sure a little piece of him has died with Lennie. Their friendship is over, and Lennie's death also brings the death of any faith that George had in the dream of a better life.
