Study Guide

Of Mice and Men Characters

By John Steinbeck

George Milton is our hero, a roving farmworker who is "small and quick, dark of face, with...

Don't let the name fool you: Lennie Small is big. Unfortunately, that's about all he has going...

Candy is an old ranch worker ("swamper") who has lost one of his hands in a farm accident. He's...

Curley's wife has a lot of names, but we can't repeat any of them in mixed company. Let's just...

Slim is the "prince of the ranch." He's the consummate Western man: masterful, strong,...

Crooks (named for his crooked back) is the stable hand who works with the ranch horses. He lives...

Curley is the son of the ranch boss, so he's got a big head—which doesn't quite match up...

Carlson may be the least interesting important character. We learn about all we need to know from...