Of Mice and Men Chapter Three 1.

This chapter opens with environmental description it includes the sharper sounds of thuds of the horseshoe game. The atmosphere is now dusk. Change of mood maintains the unfriendly environment. 2. Slim has drowned several of the puppies. Cf with the accidentalLennies puppy. 3. Developing tension hints and premonitions of disaster. Lennie is attracted to trouble girl in Weed, dead mouse , Curley threatens violence every time he sees Lennie and theres the presence of Curleys wife jail bait. 4. Funny how you an him string along together. Slim tells George about how the men usually travel alone. 5. Slim is a sympathetic character. Slim neither encouraged nor discouraged him. He just sat back quiet and receptive. Chance to reveal background in Auburn. 6. Lennie places absolute trust in George. Sacramento River story. 7. Theme loneliness I seen the guys that go around on the ranches alone. That aint no good.all the time. 8. George tells Slim about the girl from Weed and alerts us to the problem he has with petting. 9. He aint mean Slim has recognised that Lennies behaviour is not as a consequence of meaness. 10. Lennie does not understand how he is putting the puppy at risk by taking it away from its mother. He is unable to think about the consequences of his actions. 11. Carlson thinks it is justifiable to shoot the dog because it smells. Note how Candy and his dogs relationship parallels that of George and Lennie. Lennie is eventually shot by the same gun. 12. George will use the same method to kill Lennie right in the back of the head. 13. The skinner had been studying the old dog Slims opinions were valued by the others. 14. Whits story about the magazine slows the pace of the action. 15. George learns where Carlsons gun is kept. 16. Steinbecks use of sound like shuffle, rippled, snapping etc emphasizes the tension and the silence in the bunk house as the men wait for the dog to be shot. 17. That big new guys messin around with your pups Immediately after the death of the dog we are reminded of Lennies weaknesses. 18. This is followed by a reminder of Curleys wifes behaviour- this emphasizes Lennies innate ability to get into trouble. 19. Shes gonna make a mess. George is very conscious of the potential trouble that lies in her behaviour. Why doesnt he take Lennie away from this dangerous situation? 20. The men seem to prefer to spend their money on drink, women and gambling rather than saving for a future. 21. I dont want to get mixed up in nothing. Lennie and me got to make a stake. He has ambitions unlike the other ranch-hands.

22. George, how longs it gonna be till we get that little place an live on the fatta the lan an rabbits? They recall the dream. This provides the period of calm before the storm. Link mans longing for a piece of land. 23. George suddenly realises that his own dream could become a reality. 24. Candy joins the dream. 25. I ought to of shot that dog myself George has to face a similar dilemma. He has the courage to see the event through. 26. Slim is strong enough to stand up to Curleys threats. If you cant look after your own God damn wife, what you expect me to do about it? 27. Carlson joins in and aggravates Curley further. 28. Candy goads Curley further. This leaves Lennie as the onle target. 29. Lennies smile is misinterpreted by Curley. 30. Lennie will not act unless told to by George. He is also terrified by aggression. He will therefore not make any attempt to defend himself. 31. Get im , Lennie! Lennie needs George to trigger his actions. 32. Lennies act in crushing Lennies hand is not aggressive it is a reflex. 33. Slim takes charge of the situation with compassion and authority. 34. Slim is in control and manipulates the events for George and Lennies benefit. He suggests that Curley should hide the truth because the truth would make him an object of derision. 35. George continues to follow his desire to make a stake knowing that this environment is dangerous for Lennie. 36. We learn that when Lennie panics he hangs on like a bear. 37. Lennie is unable to discriminate between right an wrong he can only react with animal instinct and need for protection.