We meet both men when they arrive by the side of the Salinas river.

(Note the description: the men intrude on a peaceful evening scene in nature, with rabbits and a heron; the shade taking over and mention of ashes and ‘lifeless’ already hint at death.)

Both ‘were dressed in denim trousers and in denim coats with brass buttons. Both wore black, shapeless hats and both carried tight blanket rolls.’

George is ‘small and quick, dark of face, with restless eyes and sharp, strong features.' He has small, strong hands, slender arms, a thin and bony nose.’

Lennie is ‘ a huge man, shapeless of face, witrh large, pale eyes, with wide, sloping shoulders’ who ‘walked heavily, dragging his feet a little, the way a bear does its paws.’ His arms hang limply.

Lennie nearly bumps into George when he stops; Lennie drinks the water without checking whether it is clean. He has forgotten where they are going.

George is angry that the bus put them down in the wrong place, giving them a 4 mile walk. He has the work card and tickets. He makes Lennie hand over a dead mouse. He tells Lennie to say nothing in the job interview on the next day, and gives him instructions to collect wood. He understands Lennie, and catches him out when he goes and reclaims the dead mouse.

We learn that Lennie had got them run out of Weed for hanging onto a girl’s dress.

George comforts Lennie with a dream vision of owning their own ranch. Lennie’s sole ambition is to feed alfalfa to the rabbits.

In section two, George is fussy about the accommodation, and asks probing questions. Curley takes a dislike to Lennie and is suspicious of his relationship with George, thinking that George takes his wages. George explains his simplicity by claiming that he had been hit in the head by a horse. George warns Lennie to stay away from Curley; Lennie is terrified of not being allowed to feed the rabbits.

Lennie is attracted to Curley’s wife, and George has to warn him to keep away from her.

Lennie is emotionally sensitive. In section one he threatened to run away from George, who clearly benefits from having his strength around him for protection. In section two, he sense trouble brewing: ‘This ain’t no good place. I wanna get outa here.’

Lennie sets his heart on one of Slim’s puppies.

Helpsheet for pupils at WST by I Curr 2000.