This document summarises the character of Slim in John Steinbeck's 'Of Mice and Men', looking at the contributions that the character makes to the plot and how language and context shape this effect by highlighting key quotations.
Slim
- “Ideal” in microcosm
- Jerk line skinner
- Appearance (p37-8): long, black hair; “prince of the ranch”, “profound”; “ageless”’ “
hands large and lean”; “voice gentle”
- Friendly, warm to everyone: “hope you get on my team” p38
- ^to the point of flirtation w/ CW: “Hi, good-lookin” p35
- Profound: “Maybe ever’body in the whole damn world is scared of each other” p39
- Structure: Other characters speak of Slim. Candy describes him, his job, “no high-heeled boots”
to assert power (unlike Curley, where costume plays important part in power)
- ^ Highlights theme of fate. Positive description positive predisposition – Slim fated to be
respected and admired by reader.
- George and Lennie meet him, fated to have a positive attitude towards Slim.
- 2 sides to Slim:
- Clearly superior, language – royalty: “prince”, “majesty”
- Fated to tragedy of life, doesn’t achieve much despite superiority. Same clothes as G and L
(costume symbolic again), lives in same bunkhouse.
- Regal but fated to live same life.
- Fate: defies AD idea (“only have to work hard to achieve dream” – works hard but still hasn’t
received much more.
- Curley’s wife – woman; Lennie – slow; Crooks – black; Candy – old; Slim has it all, still fated to
achieve little more than anyone else.
- Sensitive: “loudly” to drown out dog dying p55, “take a shovel”
- Defends Lennie, voice of reason: p72-3
- Colour-blind, kind: “Slim comes in 2-3 times” – sees Crooks every time he comes in.
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