| A | B |
|---|
| George | This character is sharp-witted. He dreams of owning his own farm and being his own boss. |
| Candy | He is the oldest character. He lost a hand in an accident on the farm, so he has become the ranch “swamper”. |
| Crooks | He knows how to read very well, as evidenced by his book collection. He also knows how to work leather. He stays in the barn because he is a stable buck and he is African-American. |
| Lennie | This character is physically big and strong, but mentally childlike. He dreams of caring for the rabbits on his friend George’s farm. |
| Slim | He is lean, with chiseled features. He is a jerkline skinner and well-respected by the other men. |
| Carlson | This man is short, stout (he has a paunch), and foolish. He also shows a cruel streak when he convinces Candy that his dog should be shot. |
| Curley | This character has the physique of a welter-weight prize fighter. He dislikes men who are larger or more respected than he is. (He has an inferiority complex.) |
| Curley's wife | This character thinks she has the physique of a movie star. She is flirtatious. |
