The swamper in John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men is Candy. He is an elderly, one-handed man who cleans the bunkhouse and is accompanied by an old sheepdog. Candy lost his hand in a ranch accident and fears being deemed useless. He offers his savings to join George and Lennie's dream of owning a farm, seeking purpose and security in his later years.

Steinbeck contrasts Slim and Curley to illustrate how actions shape one's fate. Slim, admired for his skill and kindness, contrasts sharply with Curley, who is aggressive and insecure. Slim's authority is natural, while Curley seeks validation through conflict, often picking fights to prove himself. Curley's pride and aggression lead to his downfall, while Slim's empathy and level-headedness earn him respect. Through these characters, Steinbeck suggests that integrity and kindness lead to better outcomes than arrogance and hostility.

In Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men, Carlson does not explicitly have a dream. He is a laborer on the ranch and is known for his lack of empathy, as demonstrated by his insensitivity towards Candy's affection for his old dog, which Carlson kills. This act foreshadows George's killing of Lennie. Carlson's inability to understand the depth of affection between George and Lennie is evident in his confusion at the novel's end.

In Of Mice and Men, several characters have symbolically important names. Crooks, who has a crooked back, symbolizes marginalization and segregation. George Milton's surname hints at his awareness of existential struggles, reflecting his eventual decision to shoot Lennie. Curley's wife lacks a personal name, symbolizing her lack of identity and agency. Lennie Small has an ironically suggestive name, reflecting his large size contrasted with his small mental capacity and childlike dependence.

In Of Mice and Men, Lennie, George, and Curley are depicted as both weak and powerful. Lennie's mental limitations are his weakness, but his innocence allows him to see people without prejudice, making him powerful in forming genuine connections. George's physical weakness and loyalty to Lennie can be burdensome, yet his loyalty also empowers him to protect Lennie. Curley's power stems from his position as the boss's son and his boxing skills, but his insecurity and need to prove himself are his weaknesses.

Slim's external conflict in Of Mice and Men involves Curley, who sees Slim as a rival due to his leadership and respect among the ranch hands. Curley falsely accuses Slim of having an affair with his wife, leading to verbal confrontations. Internally, Slim grapples with moral dilemmas, particularly regarding Lennie's fate after Curley's wife is killed. Slim resolves this by aiding George, demonstrating his commitment to justice and fairness despite the harsh realities of the Great Depression.

Slim is perceived as a respected and authoritative figure on the ranch. He is seen as the "prince of the ranch," with a regal and masterful presence that commands respect from all the men. His opinions are valued on any subject, and his gentle yet firm demeanor earns him the trust and admiration of others. Characters like Candy, Curley's wife, and Crooks show deference to him, indicating his influence and the respect he garners from everyone on the ranch.

If Slim were an animal, he might be a German Shepherd, owl, or elephant. Each of these animals symbolizes traits that align with Slim's character: German Shepherds are hardworking, intelligent, and loyal; owls are wise and majestic; and elephants are intelligent and command respect. Slim's composed, trustworthy, and respected nature on the ranch parallels these animals' characteristics.

One word that describes all the characters in Of Mice and Men is "lonely." Each character experiences isolation and a longing for companionship. George and Lennie, despite being together, feel helpless and lonely. This theme is evident in Slim's observation about the rarity of companionship and Curley's wife's desperation for someone to talk to, highlighting the pervasive loneliness among the characters.

George is the most tragic character due to his role as a tragic hero. He is noble and well-intentioned but inadvertently causes suffering through his misguided loyalty to Lennie. George consistently covers for Lennie's mistakes, believing he is fulfilling a promise, leading to tragic outcomes. His ultimate act—taking Lennie's life to spare him from a worse fate—results in profound personal suffering, highlighting George's tragic nature.

George is the most changed character, as he realizes by the end that Lennie will not change and that he must abandon their dream of owning a farm. This realization forces George to make the devastating decision to kill Lennie after Lennie's accidental murder of Curley's Wife. In contrast, other characters like Curley's Wife and Crooks do not undergo significant changes due to their circumstances and societal constraints.

In Of Mice and Men, George and Lennie are the protagonists, representing the struggle of migrant workers during the Great Depression. George is intelligent but burdened by caring for Lennie, a strong yet mentally disabled man. Curley, the antagonistic son of the ranch owner, and his wife, who causes tension, oppose them. The socio-economic challenges of the era also serve as an antagonist, reflecting the broader struggles faced by the characters.

Characters in Of Mice and Men exhibit several notable flaws. Lennie is overly dependent on George, failing to understand human duplicity. George is impatient and burdened by his dreams, facing moral ambiguity in his actions toward Lennie. Curley's wife is impulsive and selfish, trapped in a loveless marriage. Curley suffers from "little man syndrome," displaying insecurity and aggression. Broader societal flaws include racism, sexism, utilitarian views, and a lack of trust among people.

John Steinbeck portrays power struggles in Of Mice and Men through the dynamics between characters and their social context during the Great Depression. The men are isolated, insecure, and trapped in a cycle of powerlessness, competing for jobs and survival. Characters like Curley and Crooks exhibit predatory behaviors due to their insecurities. Steinbeck highlights the limited power of workers, contrasting it with the superficial power held by Curley's family, emphasizing societal injustices that hinder personal freedom and the American Dream.

Crooks keeps a 1905 California civil code to enhance his sense of self-worth despite its worthlessness. His extreme poverty, isolation, and loneliness drive him to collect items, even those of no real value, as a way to cope with his situation. This reflects his pride and the cruel racial prejudice he endures in John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men.

Lennie and Curley's wife share a tragic connection as both are innocent, dream-driven, and ultimately doomed characters. Lennie, childlike and unaware of his strength, accidentally kills Curley's wife while stroking her hair, leading to her death. Curley's wife, feeling lonely and trapped, seeks attention and dreams of a better life, paralleling Lennie's own dreams. Their brief encounter highlights their shared longing and innocence, resulting in unintended tragedy.

In Of Mice and Men, Slim is very impressed with Lennie's strength and endurance after he's worked with him. Slim tells George that he's never seen such a worker and that nobody on the ranch could keep up with Lennie. Slim is in awe of Lennie's strength and tells George that Lennie "damn near killed his partner buckin' barley."

Steinbeck creates similar yet different characters like George and Curley to illustrate the choices individuals face during economic hardships. George shows compassion and change, caring for Lennie despite difficulties, symbolizing the potential for personal growth. In contrast, Curley is bitter, trapped by his failed past, representing stagnation. Steinbeck suggests that despite challenging conditions, individuals can choose to change and transcend their circumstances, defining their identity and future.

The relationships in Of Mice and Men are based on various needs. George and Lennie's bond is built on mutual dependence, with George providing care and Lennie offering companionship. Candy and his dog share a similar dynamic, rooted in affection and mutual reliance, with Candy devastated by the dog's death. Curley and his wife's relationship, however, is marked by control and resentment, as Curley is possessive and his wife feels trapped and lonely.

Smitty is a minor character mentioned in "Of Mice and Men" during a story about a Christmas party at the ranch. He is a skinner who fought the stable buck, Crooks, during the party. Due to Crooks' bad back, Smitty was restricted from using his feet in the fight and ultimately lost. Smitty is used to illustrate the racial dynamics and atmosphere at the ranch rather than serving as an active character in the story.

Slim is called a prince of the ranch and referred to as royalty in Of Mice and Men because of his leadership abilities and his innate capacity to earn the trust of the other men. He is more dignified than the other ranchers, and they trust Slim to provide guidance in situations requiring honor and mercy.

Steinbeck portrays Curley and Lennie's relationship as inherently violent, mainly due to Curley's aggressive nature and insecurity about his size. Curley frequently picks fights with bigger men like Lennie to assert his dominance. This culminates in a physical altercation when Curley attacks Lennie, who only defends himself upon George's instruction, resulting in Curley's hand being crushed. While Lennie is physically powerful, his intentions are never malicious, unlike Curley's self-serving aggression.