Of Mice And Men Candy Analysis

Candy is used to convey many of the novel’s key themes and messages about America during the Great Depression through both his character’s personality and also the events that happen to him/around him throughout the book.
Through Candy, Steinbeck shows the judgemental nature of American society in the 1930s and the prejudice that was ingrained into the way people lived. In Candy’s first scene, the reader is immediately shown how racism was prevalent through the quote ‘ya see the stable buck’s a nigger’. Candy freely uses racial slurs instead of Crooks’ name which implies how little respect he gives the man due to his belief that racial differences makes him subordinate. In the same scene Candy gives his opinion of the boss as a ‘pretty nice fella’ eventhough he is well aware of how he treats Crooks on a regular basis- ‘give the stable buck hell’. He then goes on to reminiscise about a memory of the ranch workers fighting Crooks which is described as him ‘pausing in relish of the memory’ which clearly tells the reader that he enjoys remembering Crooks’ suffering. This acceptance of the Boss’ cruel acts, the justifying of it due to his race and the total lack

George also uses Candy for his own gain as he lets him join in on the dream ranch due to his money but abandons him when he can no longer do it with Lennie despite the fact that he and Candy could still afford the ranch. This lack of compassion for others shown by Carlson towards Candy in the killing of his dog parallels how in American society there was little sympathy for others. The theme of survival of the fittest that was the base of ranch life is shown through the shooting of Candy’s old dog to be replaced by Slim’s new puppies. It is also shown through how the weak characters take advantage of eachother to gain superiority over one another instead of working