Introduction

John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men is a classic novel set during the Great Depression. The book tells the story of two migrant workers, George and Lennie, who dream of one day owning their own ranch. The third chapter of the novel focuses on the events that take place at the ranch where George and Lennie are working.

The Ranch

The ranch where George and Lennie are hired is owned by a man named Curley. He is the son of the ranch owner and is an arrogant and jealous man. He is always looking for a fight and is quick to pick an argument with anyone. He is also possessive of his wife, who is never given a name in the novel.

The Boss

The boss of the ranch is a large and imposing man. He is a stern and fair-minded leader who keeps a close eye on the workers. He is not easily fooled and takes a dim view of anyone who does not do their job properly. He is also very protective of his son, Curley.

The Other Workers

The other workers on the ranch are a diverse group of people, each with their own unique personalities. There is Slim, the leader of the gang, and Candy, an old man who has been working on the ranch for many years. There is also Carlson, a gruff but hard-working man, and Crooks, a black man who is ostracized by the other workers. Finally, there is Whit, a young man who is often picked on by the others.

George and Lennie’s Plan

George and Lennie have a plan to one day buy their own ranch. They have been saving up their money for many years and hope to one day have enough to purchase their own land. George is the leader of the two and is constantly trying to keep Lennie out of trouble.

Curley’s Wife

Curley’s wife is a young and attractive woman who is not given a name in the novel. She is often seen flirting with the other workers, which makes Curley jealous. She is lonely and frustrated with her life on the ranch and longs for a better life.

The Fight

The tension between Curley and Lennie comes to a head when the two get into a fight. Lennie is no match for Curley’s strength and is quickly beaten. George steps in to help and manages to get Lennie away from the fight before it can get any worse.

Conclusion

The third chapter of Of Mice and Men focuses on the events that take place at the ranch where George and Lennie are working. We learn about the other workers, Curley’s wife, and George and Lennie’s dream of owning their own ranch. We also see the tension between Curley and Lennie reach its boiling point when the two get into a fight. In the end, George manages to get Lennie away from the fight before it can get any worse.