Symbols and Themes

Important Symbols:

Candy's Dog: symbolizes is the life span of a worker. Candy's dog was once a good sheep dog helpful on the ranch but as his life went on his age left him useless on the ranch and Candy was asked to get rid of him. Candy refers to the dog much like himself and feels that when his dog is gone he will see himself as deadweight to the ranch.  Killing of the dog s ymbolizes the letting go of a useless employee.

George and Lennie's farm: Throughout all of Lennie and George's hardships their dream of having their own farm gets them through it all. The farm symbolizes their american dream, freedom and their personal paradise.

Lennie's Puppy: Lennie's puppy symbolizes Lennie's strength and his fate. Lennie and the puppy are similar in the sense that the innocent puppy doesn't know how dangerous his surroundings are. When Lennie accidently not knowing the power of his strength kills him. Similar to the ending when Lennie does not know how dangerous of position he is in because of his actions.

 Themes/Motifs:

The evil nature of humans: Throughout the story the characters show a tendency of the human nature to push ones that weaker than you down