Slim
1) Introduction
John Steinbeck portrays his version of 1930s America in his novel ‘Of Mice and Men’. ‘Of Mice and
Men’ is a Morality Play. Steinbeck intended to teach the audience about the importance of moral
behaviour, so characters were meant to represent different characteristics and portray the experiences
and temptations of humans rather than being particularly realistic or believable.
The novella takes place in a society devastated by the economic and social effects of the Great
Depression and one in which prejudice, loneliness and isolation have replaced the hopes of The
American Dream. His characters are very much a reflection of this society.
Through the portrayal of Slim, Steinbeck depicts the need for a natural leader during the Great
Depression and the dignity of ranch workers even in such a hardship. Slim is presented as responsible,
smart, and kind, all qualities that seem out of place in Soledad, a place where loneliness is personified.
Slim’s uniqueness is reflected in his name, which suggests that anything extra or unnecessary has
been stripped away from him. He does not have the materialistic greed seen amongst the other ranch
workers. He is free from all the prejudices and restrictions, and untainted by the cruel world that
surrounds him. Slim is set apart from the other workers on the ranch and breaks the pattern of
prejudice and meanness. Steinbeck echoes this through his name: other ranch workers names’ begin
with ‘C’ like Candy and Crooks, yet his begins with ‘S’.
2) Character description
In the beginning of the novella, Steinbeck’s crafting of Lennie’s physical appearance immediately
present Lennie a figure of natural authority: ‘ageless’, ‘tall man’. All these portray him as competent
and reliable. He is dressed like all the other workers, in ‘denim trousers and coats’ but stands out for
his skill and decency. Slim is the skilled ‘jerkline skinner’, and the natural leader of the ranch with a
‘gravity in his manner’. The concrete noun ‘gravity’ conveys his natural power and strength. The
semantic field of regality such as ‘majesty’ and ‘prince of the ranch’ depict Slim as the authority on
the ranch.
Even though he is not the Boss, all the other characters look up to him – especially compared to
Curley. The social hierarchy on the ranch is reflective of American society in the 1930s. However,
Slim holds more respect than Curley, the Boss’s son. This idea is reinforced by Steinbeck when we
are informed that he 'don't need to wear no high heeled boots'. Unlike Curley whose power comes
from being the Boss’s son, Slim naturally gains the respect from other workers, and is seen as a
source of comfort and guidance, reflecting the desire for stability and leadership in a time of great
insecurity. Slim's high morals contrasts with the other characters in the novel who are depicted as
victims of society, like the ‘stoop-shouldered’ and nosy Candy.
Slim is portrayed to be more permanent that many of the workers and has status on the ranch. Migrant
workers, like George and Lennie, would have to carry their possessions on their back as they moved
between jobs. During the Great Depression, drought destroyed millions of acres of farmland, so
farmers were forced to sell their land and migrate huge distances to California, searching for
employment. Nevertheless, work was scarce and very rarely permanent: employers would hire
workers for the season or to bring in a harvest and then sack them until they were needed again. The
migrant workers faced discrimination and were hugely mistreated; the pay and conditions for workers
at the time were poor. It was a system that resulted in ‘the survival of the fittest’. Slim is fortunate to
be a more permanent ranch worker and he seems to be the fittest and most skilled of all.
Throughout the novella, Slim remains his compassionate nature. At the end of the novella, George is
forced to make the painful decision to end Lennie's life to spare him from a more painful death at
Curley’s hands. Slim's role in this moment is crucial, as he is the only character who fully understands
1) Introduction
John Steinbeck portrays his version of 1930s America in his novel ‘Of Mice and Men’. ‘Of Mice and
Men’ is a Morality Play. Steinbeck intended to teach the audience about the importance of moral
behaviour, so characters were meant to represent different characteristics and portray the experiences
and temptations of humans rather than being particularly realistic or believable.
The novella takes place in a society devastated by the economic and social effects of the Great
Depression and one in which prejudice, loneliness and isolation have replaced the hopes of The
American Dream. His characters are very much a reflection of this society.
Through the portrayal of Slim, Steinbeck depicts the need for a natural leader during the Great
Depression and the dignity of ranch workers even in such a hardship. Slim is presented as responsible,
smart, and kind, all qualities that seem out of place in Soledad, a place where loneliness is personified.
Slim’s uniqueness is reflected in his name, which suggests that anything extra or unnecessary has
been stripped away from him. He does not have the materialistic greed seen amongst the other ranch
workers. He is free from all the prejudices and restrictions, and untainted by the cruel world that
surrounds him. Slim is set apart from the other workers on the ranch and breaks the pattern of
prejudice and meanness. Steinbeck echoes this through his name: other ranch workers names’ begin
with ‘C’ like Candy and Crooks, yet his begins with ‘S’.
2) Character description
In the beginning of the novella, Steinbeck’s crafting of Lennie’s physical appearance immediately
present Lennie a figure of natural authority: ‘ageless’, ‘tall man’. All these portray him as competent
and reliable. He is dressed like all the other workers, in ‘denim trousers and coats’ but stands out for
his skill and decency. Slim is the skilled ‘jerkline skinner’, and the natural leader of the ranch with a
‘gravity in his manner’. The concrete noun ‘gravity’ conveys his natural power and strength. The
semantic field of regality such as ‘majesty’ and ‘prince of the ranch’ depict Slim as the authority on
the ranch.
Even though he is not the Boss, all the other characters look up to him – especially compared to
Curley. The social hierarchy on the ranch is reflective of American society in the 1930s. However,
Slim holds more respect than Curley, the Boss’s son. This idea is reinforced by Steinbeck when we
are informed that he 'don't need to wear no high heeled boots'. Unlike Curley whose power comes
from being the Boss’s son, Slim naturally gains the respect from other workers, and is seen as a
source of comfort and guidance, reflecting the desire for stability and leadership in a time of great
insecurity. Slim's high morals contrasts with the other characters in the novel who are depicted as
victims of society, like the ‘stoop-shouldered’ and nosy Candy.
Slim is portrayed to be more permanent that many of the workers and has status on the ranch. Migrant
workers, like George and Lennie, would have to carry their possessions on their back as they moved
between jobs. During the Great Depression, drought destroyed millions of acres of farmland, so
farmers were forced to sell their land and migrate huge distances to California, searching for
employment. Nevertheless, work was scarce and very rarely permanent: employers would hire
workers for the season or to bring in a harvest and then sack them until they were needed again. The
migrant workers faced discrimination and were hugely mistreated; the pay and conditions for workers
at the time were poor. It was a system that resulted in ‘the survival of the fittest’. Slim is fortunate to
be a more permanent ranch worker and he seems to be the fittest and most skilled of all.
Throughout the novella, Slim remains his compassionate nature. At the end of the novella, George is
forced to make the painful decision to end Lennie's life to spare him from a more painful death at
Curley’s hands. Slim's role in this moment is crucial, as he is the only character who fully understands
