'Of Mice and Men' Revision: Slim (student notes)

Slim

o          Slim is the unofficial leader on the ranch

>the boss is the official leader however he is not accessible to the characters and only serves to pay their wages whereas Slim is the man they go to when they need advice or if the need a decision to be made

>'Slim’s opinions were law'

o          He is very respected and occupies an elevated position on the ranch

>'the prince of the ranch'

>'all talk stopped when he spoke'

>'his authority was so great that his word was taken on any subject, be it politics or love.'

>'moved with a majesty only achieved by royalty and master craftsmen'

>'Slim's opinions were law'

o          'Slim's opinions were law'

>when Carlson is offering to shoot Candy's dog, Candy looks to Slim to find out the fate of his dog

>If Slim agreed it would happen, this demonstrates his authority on the ranch

o          Slim possesses mystical qualities which are probably the cause of his great respect and in some cases reverence (Curley, though in a higher position on the ranch is cautious of Slim)

>'capable of driving ten, sixteen, even twenty mules with a single line to the leader'

>'he was capable of killing a fly on the wheeler's but with a bull whip without touching the mule'

>'his hatchet face was ageless. He might have been thirty-five or fifty'

>'he had overtones not of thought, but of understanding beyond thought.'

>'his hands, though large and lean, were as delicate in their action as those of a temple dancer.'

o          Slim is the only one that understands George and he is also the only one that George ever confides in about the situation with Lennie and what happened in Weed.

>he speaks with a 'friendly' tone which 'invited confidence without demanding it'

o          Slim one of the few characters that does not seem to aspire to anything, he doesn't seem to have a dream

>we know very little about him and his past, he is mysterious

>he has empathy towards others situations (i.e. George) and listens and learns a lot about other people however this is one-way. He doesn't tell anyone about himself.

>he seems to be content with the life he has