Of Mice and Men Chapter 2

Of Mice and Men Chapter 2 Summary

The chapter opens with George and Lennie arriving at their new accommodations on the new ranch. An old swamper named Candy introduces them. Candy has an old dog who is described as stinking and half-blind. George, who is skeptical about lice in their bedding, has a brief battle of wits with Candy, as they both weave stories about their backgrounds.

Candy tells them that the boss won’t be happy they are late, and indeed, the boss wants an explanation from George and Lennie when he arrives. George explains that the bus dropped them off “ten miles away.” Throughout this, George talks for Lennie, although Lennie at one point makes an idle comment that inspires the boss to get more from him. George immediately takes back the reins and has to make up a story to explain why he won’t let Lennie talk. George says he is his cousin and that a mule kicked Lennie in the head as a boy.

After the boss leaves, George admonishes Lennie for talking, saying that he almost cost them their job.

Curley comes by to see the new hands. Curley is the boss’s son, and he immediately takes a disliking to Lennie because of his size. Curley is small, while Lennie is huge. Curley apparently is something of a fighter and is known to pick fights with folks. When Curley is gone, George tells Lennie to avoid Curley at all costs and never speak to him. George thinks Curley is an idiot—albeit he expresses this in much more colorful language.

George runs Lennie through a list of reminders again, including another reminder to hide in the brush at their campsite should any trouble occur.

Speaking of trouble, Curley’s wife comes around looking for her husband. She and Curley have just been married. That said, she is flirtatious, which makes her dangerous to someone like Lennie, who isn’t known for his cleverness. Curley’s wife flirts briefly with George before leaving. Lennie describes her as “purty,” but George quickly tells him not to look at her or talk to her, because that will just give Curley one more thing he feels he has to prove. Lennie wants to leave, calling this place "mean," but George says they can't. They have to get a little more money to go somewhere else. Maybe they could pan for gold.

Fig. 1 - Panning for gold in the 1930s, over 80 years after the California Gold Rush, is a desperate idea to make money.

Finally, George and Lennie meet Slim, the “prince of the ranch.” He does incredible work, and people respect everything he says. He has a quiet, serene grace to him. Slim is understanding and kind to George and Lennie. Apparently, Slim’s dog has just had puppies, although Slim had to drown four of them right away because there were too many for his dog to nurse. Lennie asks George to get him a puppy before Slim kills another one.

Of Mice and Men Chapter 2 Analysis

It's worth starting each analysis with the simple question, "How is the dream progressing?"

In this chapter, Lennie and George's dream to quit work and live on a farm is progressing as planned. They have arrived at the new ranch and they have new jobs. Now, all they need to do is last long enough to make the money required to buy the land. This of course is easier said than done, and George quickly gets upset at Lennie for talking. Already Lennie is causing problems.

So what else is going on? There is a large influx of characters in Of Mice and Men chapter 2, and readers see a few more themes develop. At the same time, the plot picks up steam as the audience begins to see how things could go terribly wrong between Lennie, Curley, and Curley’s wife. This setup, including the initial meeting between Curley and the protagonists, also serves as the primary conflict of the chapter.

Characters in Of Mice and Men Chapter 2

Steinbeck wastes no time bringing the other characters into the story. One at a time, like clockwork, George and Lennie (and by extension, the readers) are introduced to Candy, the boss, Curley, Curley’s wife, and Slim. Crooks, the Black stable worker, is mentioned, but he’s not seen. Crooks is segregated from the white workers. The minor character Carlson (who is described as “big-stomached”) appears with Slim.

These are all the players of the story, and now the plot is ready to take off.

Animals in Of Mice and Men Chapter 2

You’ve met all the new characters; however, many new animals were also introduced. This includes Candy’s old dog, Slim’s dog, the puppies of Slim’s dog Lulu, and the many mules that the ranchers discuss and drive.

Consider:

• How do the animals and people relate?

  • Look for what people do to animals and under what circumstances.

• How much control do the animals have?

  • You'll find they have very little.

• How much control do the people have?

  • Some have a lot, some have very little.

• What is the driving factor for their destinies?

  • Is it fate or choice?

As you read on, think about mice and men in metaphorical terms as well. Are there other “mice” in the story besides the actual mice (and other animals)?

Of Mice and Men Chapter 2 Quotes

Here are two quotes from Of Mice and Men chapter 2.

These are the final lines of the chapter (in a six-chapter book), so it’s fair to say Steinbeck put some thought into them. What's interesting is the care put into describing the dog. He doesn't seem so different from an older, tired person who witnesses a blur of activity around them. The dog exudes calmness.

The narrator paints Slim in almost otherworldly terms. Notably, he is understanding. He understands people, the world, and the many layers of both. Because Slim is so trustworthy and insightful, pay attention to what he says and does, and let him help you understand the layers of the story.