Analysis of Chapter 3 (Please take notes on the analysis )

 Death of Candy’s dog testifies to the pitiless process by which the strong attack and eliminate the weak.  Candy’s dog, no longer useful at coraling sheep  Candy’s emotional attachment to the dog is clear.  Carlson still insists that the animal’s infirmity makes it unworthy of devotion.  The most comfort he offers Candy is that he will kill the dog mercifully.  Even Slim agrees-confirming that their world is one that offers the weak little hope

 All characters are disempowered in some way-age, class, race, gender, mental handicap.  All are outcasts-outside the structures of social power-all suffer because of their ostracism.  Old workers-sent away when no longer useful  Black workers-refused entrance to the bunkhouse.

 George and Lennie’s story—vision of simple life on an idyllic farm-it rests and soothes the afflicted.  This vision is like a Band-aid for George & Lennie after their departure from Weed— now it rouses Candy out of mourning for his dog and he wants to join– it becomes a Band-aid for Candy  This story (the farm) is a temporary escape from the world’s troubles—not a cure.

 Story of Lennie’s behavior in Weed  Fight with Curley  Tendency to exert great strength when confused or frightened  Lennie accidently kills mice when petting them

 While Of Mice and Men occurs in a very specific time and place, each of the characters can be thought of as symbolizing broader populations. Each character can stand alone as simply a character, there's still something to be gained by looking at each character as representative of their larger group.

 Lennie is symbolic of the archetypal "wise fool," who is mentally inferior but able to reveal the best and the worst of others. Lennie's foolishness often allows him to speak honestly where others won't, and he sometimes taps into things that "normal" people can't (like the fact that the ranch isn't a good place for him and George to be hanging out). Lennie is also symbolic of people who are mistreated and discriminated against because of their mental handicaps.

 Curley's wife is symbolic of Eve - the female character who, in the Biblical story, brings sin and death to the world. She is also symbolic of women everywhere who are repressed by male-centered societies. Curley is symbolic of "small" people who may feel inferior and overcompensate by inflating or flaunting their power and status. Crooks is symbolic of people who are discriminated against because of their race. Candy is symbolic of people who are undervalued and discriminated against because of their age and/or physical handicaps.

 Carlson is symbolic of people who are oblivious to the feelings of others, and who can only be concerned about something if it affects them personally. Slim is symbolic of the archetype of the hero, king, or leader. He represents those few who, in their wisdom and strength, seem larger than life. George is symbolic of "the everyman" - the type of normal, average person who is found everywhere and whose feelings and actions are neither exceptional nor terrible. He is the character with whom most readers will identify, as he symbolizes the difficulty of trudging through the everyday world (and extraordinary situations) when you're just an ordinary guy.

 Find a quote that represents the theme of individual vs community. Identify who says the quote, Copy the quote, Explain how the quote illustrates individual vs community. Quote Bank: “I gotta think about that. We was always gonna do it by ourselves.” (page 59)

 Find two quotes that represent the theme of power vs powerlessness. Identify who says the quote, Copy the quote, Explain how the quote illustrates power vs powerlessness. Quote Bank: “Curley stepped over to Lennie like a terrier. ‘What the hell you laughin’ at?’ ” (page 62) “I think you got your han’ caught in a machine. If you don’t tell nobody what happened, we ain’t going to. But jus’ tell an’ try to get this guy canned and we’ll tell ever’body, an’ then will you get the laugh.” (page 64)

 Find a quote that represents the theme of loneliness. Identify who says the quote, Copy the quote, Explain how the quote illustrates loneliness. Quote Bank: “I’d make a will an’ leave my share to you guys in case I kick off, ‘cause I ain’t got no relatives nor nothing.” (page 59)

 Find a quote that represents the theme of dreams. Identify who says the quote, Copy the quote, Explain how the quote illustrates dreams. Quote Bank: “They fell into a silence. They looked at one another, amazed. This thing they never really believed in was coming true. (page 60)