Of Mice and Men

Two wandering farmhands, George Milton and his naive companion Lennie Small, find themselves in a precarious situation after Lennie accidentally damages a woman’s dress while trying to feel its texture. Fleeing from an angry mob, the duo hops on a train and makes their way to Soledad, California, where they secure jobs as ranch workers. As they travel, George notices Lennie’s unusual treasure – a dead mouse. Frustrated, George disposes of the mouse, prompting an emotional Lennie to lament the loss of the woman who used to let him play with mice. George gently reminds him that it was his Aunt Clara who provided those small pets, which she stopped giving him due to Lennie’s tendency to unintentionally harm them by petting them too fiercely. To comfort Lennie, George promises him a puppy, if only he would stop his tears.

As darkness falls, George asks Lennie to gather firewood for their dinner of beans, but Lennie’s discontent over the absence of ketchup ignites George’s anger. He expresses his frustration, insisting that Lennie’s constant troubles have turned his life upside down. In a moment of remorse, Lennie suggests running away to live in a cave, but George shakes his head, lamenting that Aunt Clara wouldn’t want him to be alone. That night, George recounts their shared dream of owning a ranch where Lennie can tend to rabbits. He instructs Lennie to remember their location and to hide in the bushes if any trouble should arise.

The following day, they arrive at the Tyler Ranch, where they encounter an elderly, one-handed worker, Candy. He introduces them to the “Boss,” who chastises them for their tardiness. During a brief conversation, George fabricates a story about Lennie being his cousin because of an incident involving a horse that knocked Lennie out when he was younger. Once outside, George confesses to Lennie that he had misled them. Candy shows them to the bunkhouse, where they meet Curley, the boss’s aggressive son, who confronts Lennie about his lateness and pressures George to let Lennie speak for himself.

After Curley storms off, Candy reveals Curley’s penchant for picking fights, heightening George’s concern for Lennie’s welfare. They also meet Curley’s flirtatious young wife, who drives George to caution Lennie against interacting with her. Meanwhile, the ranch workers arrive, including Slim, the foreman, and Carlson. During the day’s work, Carlson proposes to shoot Candy’s old dog to alleviate its suffering, revealing the hard realities of life on the ranch. Later that evening, George counsels Slim about Lennie’s struggles and how he became responsible for Lennie after his aunt passed away; a moment that cemented their bond.

As they settle into ranch life, George dreams aloud of the day they can own their own farm, which sparks Candy’s interest. Candy, overhearing their conversation, proposes to contribute $350 towards their goal if they allow him to join them due to his declining ability to work. Their budding friendship and future plans, however, are soon overshadowed by Curley’s growing aggression. Curley mistakenly perceives Lennie’s smile as a form of mockery, leading him to attack Lennie. It is only when George urges Lennie to defend himself that he reacts, crushing Curley’s hand in the process.

In a show of solidarity, Slim pressures Curley to lie about the incident, creating a protective shell around Lennie. As the days go by, George goes to town while leaving Lennie to care for the puppies, creating a space for their friendship to blossom. However, tragedy strikes when Curley’s wife approaches Lennie. In a heartbreaking moment, while she confides her dreams of stardom, their interaction turns disastrous when Lennie’s inability to control his strength leads to her untimely death.

In the aftermath of this shocking event, Lennie, filled with panic, flees to the designated hiding spot. When Candy discovers the body, he informs George of the calamity that has unfolded. Fearing for Lennie’s life at the hands of an enraged Curley, George resolves to protect his friend. As the ranch workers form a search party, George confronts the grim reality of their situation.

In a final act of compassion, George retrieves a pistol, meeting Lennie by the stream. There, he recounts their dreams of a ranch filled with rabbits, trying to soothe Lennie in his final moments. With one bullet, George ends Lennie’s suffering, a heart-wrenching decision born of love and the harshness of their world, sealing the bond between the two friends forever.

Last Updated: January 14, 2025 at 19:25