Role Of Social Hierarchy In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

In most cases, the landowner is generally at the top of the social hierarchy when it comes to their land. This is true as the setting of the novel, Of Mice and Men, is during the Depression, a historical reference where many civilians were having difficulties finding jobs. Therefore, many workers moved around the state trying to seek new jobs, hence why George and Lennie moved to California to find a lucrative job. Although the boss is the authority figure of the land, there are more than one boss in the story. Amongst the minor characters, John Steinbeck implies through their characteristics that social hierarchy occurs within the bunk house. Slim, a tall and confident man who is the “prince of the ranch” (Steinbeck 33). This metaphor implies that Slim is at the top of the pyramid unlike the other workers as he is a person who everyone follows and respects. In addition, Slim is not a sentimental person as he “drowned four” (Steinbeck 35) pups. Through indirect characterization, Slim does not care for the natural world. Any living creatures besides himself he simply does not appreciate their existence. He is a leader because he does not show emotion nor affection towards anything as it can injure his reputation as a leader. Perhaps he does not show weakness to the
Carlson also respects Slim as he “stepped back to let Slim” through (Steinbeck 36). Carlson is an adherent, as he values what Slim says and obeys him. However when it comes to Candy’s dog, Carlson wants “to shoot his dog” (Steinbeck 36). Through indirect characterization, Carlson is also short-tempered as he begins to get annoyed by the dog as it is very strident throughout the night. Steinbeck also foreshadows the possibility of Candy’s companion killed. Perhaps Carlson is the one who kills the dog by the demand of Slim. If Slim told him to kill the dog there is no doubt that Carlson would follow his