"There are very few other characters in the book. These notes will deal with the following four characters:"
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"*1. Crooks"
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"*2. Carlson"
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"*3. The Boss"
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"*4. Whit"
4
"*CROOKS"
"Crooks is an even lonelier character than Candy, because not only is he old and a cripple, like Candy, but he is also black. Most of the men have a lot of prejudice against Crooks, referring to him with derogatory terms such as 'nigger'. And because he is a different colour, he has to stay in a room on his own."
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"Crooks is a victim. We are told by Candy that the Boss takes his anger out on Crooks, though Crooks does nothing wrong. And Candy also relates an incident in the past when one of the ranch hands picked a fight with Crooks. It is to Crooks' credit that he won the fight, although the other man did have his feet tied."
6
"As a result of the discrimination against him, Crooks has become quite bitter and cynical. This is why when Lennie and Candy tell him about their plan to buy a house he reacts with scorn and disbelief."
" "
"Note that Crooks is quite intelligent; he knows how to read. Also, during his discussion with Lennie and Candy, we see more evidence that he is an intelligent, but tortured individual."
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"*CARLSON"
"Carlson appears to be friendly at first, but in fact the author uses him to portray the brutality and barbarity which was common on ranches such as the one where the story was set."
5
"Carlson is strong and physically powerful. He has no qualms about killing, and even volunteers to kill Candy's dog. He seems excited and animated when the man hunt for Lennie is announced, eager to shed blood."
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"He takes pride in his gun, cleaning it and taking care of it. Perhaps he sees it as a symbol of his masculinity, much as Curley thinks his agressive behaviour makes him look tough."
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"His callous comment at the very end of the book shows that he is not very intelligent, and can never understand the world of sensitive people like Slim and George."
6
"*THE BOSS"
"The Boss only appears once in the whole book, when he meets George and Lennie at the beginning."
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"The only sure thing that we can say about the Boss is that he, like his son Curley, has a very aggressive and intolerant attitude."
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"He is angry when George and Lennie are late, and Candy says he cruelly took his anger out on Crooks. However, the Boss is probably a little more mature than Curley, and can be generous at times, like when he gave the men whiskey at Christmas."
6
"*WHIT"
"Whit's character is never developed in the book and little is known about him."
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"He plays cards with George, but unlike George he is not interested in what he is doing, and really prefers to gossip than to play."
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"He is also anxious to join in the hunt for Lennie, which tells us that he is not very caring or nice. He is really only a device Steinbeck uses to provide descriptive passages, and to show what the average ranch hand was like."
