Character Chart of Mice and Men

John Steinbeck’s 1937 novel, Of Mice and Men, is a timeless classic that follows the story of two migrant farm workers, George Milton and Lennie Small. The novel follows the two men’s struggles to keep their dreams alive in a world of hardship and disappointment. Through the characters in the novel, Steinbeck conveys a range of themes, including friendship, loneliness, and justice. To better understand the characters in the novel, it is helpful to examine the character chart of Mice and Men.

George Milton

George Milton

George Milton is a small but wiry man who is the protagonist of the novel. He is intelligent and resourceful, but often finds himself in difficult situations due to his poor economic situation. George is fiercely loyal to his friend Lennie and is willing to do whatever it takes to protect him. The relationship between George and Lennie is one of the main themes of the novel, as it shows the strength of friendship and loyalty.

Lennie Small

Lennie Small

Lennie Small is George’s companion and best friend. He is a large, strong man but he has a mental disability and is often seen as slow and foolish. Despite this, Lennie has a kind heart and is fiercely loyal to George. He is also a dreamer, and his dream of owning a farm with George is what drives them both forward through the novel.

Candy

Candy

Candy is an old ranch hand who works on the ranch where George and Lennie are employed. He is missing a hand, which he lost in an accident, and is often seen as an outcast in the ranch. He is desperate to become part of George and Lennie’s dream of owning a farm, as he sees it as his only chance for a better life.

Curley

Curley

Curley is the son of the owner of the ranch and is a fierce and aggressive man. He is often seen as a bully, picking fights with anyone he can, especially Lennie. He is also very possessive of his wife and is jealous of any man who talks to her. Curley is an important character in the novel as his presence creates tension and leads to the climax of the novel.

Curley’s Wife

Curley’s Wife

Curley’s wife is one of the only female characters in the novel and is seen as a symbol of temptation and danger. She is desperate for attention from the men on the ranch, but is often rejected by them. Her loneliness and desperation often leads her to make bad decisions, which often have disastrous consequences for her and the other characters in the novel.



John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men is a timeless classic that follows the story of two migrant workers as they struggle to make their dreams come true. Through the characters in the novel, Steinbeck conveys a range of themes, including friendship, loneliness, and justice. Examining the character chart of Mice and Men can help readers better understand the characters in the novel and the themes they explore.