Of Mice and Men Summary: Plot, Characters and Ending
Of Mice and Men follows two migrant farm workers in Depression-era California: quick, sharp George Milton and his friend Lennie Small, a huge, gentle man with the mind of a child who loves to pet soft things. They dream of owning a small farm, but Lennie's strength leads to a tragedy that ends the dream.
The title comes from a Robert Burns poem about plans that go wrong.
| Character | Who they are |
|---|---|
| George Milton | Small, clever ranch hand |
| Lennie Small | His large, childlike friend |
| Candy | Old ranch hand with one hand |
| Curley | Boss's son, aggressive and jealous |
| Curley's wife | Lonely young woman, never named |
| Slim | Respected mule driver |
| Crooks | Black stable hand kept apart |
| Carlson | Ranch hand who shoots Candy's dog |
How does the story begin?
George and Lennie camp by a river before starting work at a ranch near Soledad. They had to flee their last job in Weed after Lennie grabbed a woman's dress and would not let go. George is often frustrated but loves Lennie, and repeats their dream to him: a place of their own where Lennie can tend rabbits. He tells Lennie to hide by the river if anything goes wrong.
↑ Back to the topWhat happens at the ranch?
At the ranch they meet the old worker Candy, the boss's son Curley, who picks fights, and Curley's flirtatious wife, whom George warns Lennie to avoid. Carlson shoots Candy's old dog because it smells. Candy offers his savings to join their dream, and suddenly the farm seems possible. Curley attacks Lennie, who crushes his hand.
↑ Back to the topWhat happens in the barn?
Lennie accidentally kills the puppy Slim gave him by petting it too hard. Curley's wife comes in and talks about her lost dreams of being in films. She lets Lennie stroke her hair, then panics when he holds on too tight. Trying to quiet her, he breaks her neck, then runs to the river.
↑ Back to the topHow does Of Mice and Men end?
Curley gathers men with guns to kill Lennie. George, who has taken Carlson's pistol, finds Lennie first at the river. He tells him once more about the farm and the rabbits, and as Lennie gazes across the water, imagining it, George shoots him, so that Lennie dies peacefully, imagining the farm, rather than at Curley's hands. Slim understands and leads George away.
↑ Back to the topMore about Of Mice and Men
This summary reveals the whole plot, including the ending.