In Steinbeck's novel Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck states that Slim is the "prince of the ranch." There are multiple references to Slim's physical description which supports Steinbeck's claim of Slim's "prince-hood."
The first time readers come to meet Slim, he is walking into the bunkhouse. Slim, at first,...
Unlock This Answer Now
Start your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in here.
is described as the other men are:
Like the others he wore blue jeans and a short denim jacket.
In the following sentence, readers come to find out that Slim is very different from the other ranchers:
he moved with a majesty achieved only by royalty and master craftsmen.
His skills, perhaps not understood by the reader given their limited knowledge of ranch life, are outstanding. Slim is described as a man who can drive "ten, sixteen, even twenty mules with a single line to the leaders." Not only can he drive mules in a straight line, Slim is known to have killed "a fly on the wheeler's butt with a bull whip without touching the mule." Not only do Slim's physical abilities make him a prince in the minds of the other ranchers, his mannerisms speak to his elevated status.
There was a gravity in his manner and a quiet so profound that all talk stopped when he spoke. His authority was so great that his word was taken on any subject, be it politics or love.
Regardless of how the reader regards Slim, both Steinbeck and the other ranchers certainly see him to be an outstanding man. There is no question that Slim is the "prince of the ranch."