Of Mice and Men

George Milton and Lennie Small find themselves on the run after an incident involving Lennie inadvertently ripping a woman's dress while trying to touch its material. This causes them to flee from armed men, which sets the stage for their journey.

George and Lennie catch a train and arrive in Soledad, California, where they seek employment as ranch hands. This new beginning offers them a chance for stability, but also introduces them to the challenges of ranch life.

While walking, George discovers that Lennie is carrying a dead mouse. George throws it away, leading to a heartfelt moment where Lennie expresses his sorrow for losing the woman who gave him mice to play with. This reflects their unique friendship and Lennie's struggles.

That night, as they camp out, George shares his dream with Lennie of owning a ranch filled with rabbits. This recurring dream symbolizes hope and the bond they share, providing solace amidst their troubles.

Upon their arrival at the Tyler Ranch, George and Lennie are met by an angry boss, who scolds them for arriving late. George expertly fabricates a story about Lennie's past to explain their situation, showcasing his protective nature over Lennie.

George and Lennie meet Curley, the boss's son, who immediately shows hostility towards Lennie. Curley's aggressive demeanor sets the tone for future conflicts, making George caution Lennie to stay away from him.

Curley's wife makes her first appearance at the ranch, using the pretext of searching for her husband to flirt with Lennie and George. This encounter deepens the tension in the ranch environment, showcasing the loneliness and desperation of her character.

As the ranch workers discuss a dog that was euthanized for being old, Candy, the dog’s owner, is deeply affected. This moment foreshadows the themes of aging and the harsh realities of life on the ranch, impacting Candy's relationship with the other characters.

Curley, seeing Lennie smile about the ranch dream, mistakens it for mockery and attacks him. When George encourages Lennie to retaliate, Lennie uses his immense strength, crushing Curley's hand in a shocking display of power, which alters their dynamic at the ranch.

Curley's wife finds Lennie in the barn after he accidentally kills a puppy. As she attempts to connect with him, their interaction takes a dark turn when Lennie unintentionally breaks her neck while trying to silence her screaming, marking a tragic turning point in the story.

Following the death of Curley's wife, her husband leads a mob to find Lennie, who has hidden by the river. The atmosphere grows tense as the ranch hands rally against Lennie, driven by anger and fear of the unknown consequences.

George, knowing that the mob will harm Lennie, wrestles with his conscience on how to protect his friend. He understands that simply running away will not solve their problems, forcing him to confront the harsh reality of their lives.

In a painful moment of compassion, George finds Lennie at the river and comforts him with talk of their dream ranch. As Lennie becomes distracted by his visions of a better life, George makes the heartbreaking decision to end Lennie's life to spare him from a brutal fate at the hands of the mob.