Mice And Men Candys Dog Essay Research

Paper

Mice and Men

There is an abundance of characters in the story Of Mice and Men, and some characters may seem insignificant. One character that is very important, even though one may not think so, is Candy?s Dog. His role, although short and simple, is powerful, and this is apparent throughout the entire book. He is a metaphor for a number of events and problems in the book.

The narrator of the book talks about the relationship between Lennie and George as a long, and sometimes hard, one. As one reads through the book, one can tell that they were just two lonely guys with only each other and a hope. In the beginning of the book, the Boss, Candy, and Slim all seem to look with interest and curiosity at George and Lennie?s friendship. Soon one sees George asking Candy about his dog. George seems to find it odd that the old man would want to put up with a thing that was so dependent on Candy, and really not much use. This is the kind of interest and curiosity that everyone seemed to have about George and Lennie. This is the beginning of one?s realization that Candy?s dog is a true character.

Another theme that is recognized by most is the sexism present toward Curly?s wife. One of the argued points of this is that Curly?s wife?s name is nonexistent and that the name ?Curly?s Wife? is a sign that she is not wanted nor respected. She?s considered a nuisance. This is true for Candy?s Dog; he has no name and is disliked by many of the bunkers. This is the way they treated Curly?s wife with the metaphor that she is, ? treated like a dog.? Also, everyone just didn?t like Candy?s dog because they said he smelled, but they never got to know the dog nor grow to love him. This is what Curly?s wife went through.

The most noticeable connection between Candy?s dog and an event in the book would be the killings of the Lenny and Candy?s dog. Both were mercy killings, that are considered ?for the better.? Also, both characters were condemned to death by their closest friend.

Maybe one can see this opinion and pay close attention to it. One can also see that there is a very small foreshadowing of what?s to come, especially with the mercy killing of Candy?s dog. Also, if one notices all the things starting to happen after the death of Candy?s dog, it is as if the author is really telling one, ?This is just the beginning.?