Candy
Candy is described as being a ‘tall, stoop-shouldered old man.’ ‘Stoop-shouldered’ suggests that he is weak and perhaps too old to be much help to the ranch anymore, as it gives the reader the impression of a frail and tired old man. However, ‘tall’ gives the impression that, in his day, Candy was a useful and fine young man, which makes the reader sympathise with him because he no longer has his use. One of the first things that is mentioned about Candy is that he has no hand, which further shows that he is of little use and suggests that perhaps his days working on a ranch are numbered. By putting specific emphasis on his injury, we instantly know that it is going to be a problem for Candy later on in the novella. Every time Candy speaks, it is described as being slow and thoughtful. This shows his age, and that he has seen many men come through the ranch and is trying to work out what the best way to approach the situation would be. The way that he is physically described reflects his personality, as it suggests that he is a slow but gentle and intelligent man. We like Candy from the start, because of the positive descriptions of him.
Candy likes George and Lennie from the start of meeting them. He likes them because he realises that they aren’t bad men and that they aren’t mean like the other ranch workers can be. They also allow him to be a part of the dream later on in the novella, which means that he likes them even more, as they are his ‘get out of jail free card.’ George and Lennie like Candy, as Candy is always nice to them. They also clearly trust him, as they let him be part of the dream, in return for some of Candy’s money. They are thankful towards Candy, as his money will mean that they can get the ranch even quicker. Candy likes Slim, as Slim is fair to everyone. Even though Slim is the reason that Candy’s dog ends up being shot, Candy realises that it was the fairest thing to do, and doesn’t hold it against Slim at all. Slim likes Candy and treats him with every bit of respect he deserves. Candy makes a bit of a friend in Crooks for a while after they bonded in Crooks’ room. Candy thinks that Crooks is a nice man, and realises that race doesn't define personality. Crooks almost starts to like Candy after the meeting, but his defences go straight back up again after he leaves, taking back what he had said about wanting to join the ranch with them all.
One of the key themes explored through Candy is loneliness. Candy’s only real friend on the ranch is his dog. When Candy’s dog dies, it shows that Candy just becomes one of the typical lonely ranch workers. Candy had his dog since it was a puppy, and as such became very attached to it. Candy makes friends with George and Lennie and almost has the chance to start a new life with them so that he doesn’t have to be on his own. When Lennie is shot, Candy realises that he is just going to have to get used to being on his own for the rest of his life, and he ends up with nobody, not even his dog, to keep him company.
Another key theme is the theme of discrimination. Candy is both old and disabled, and so is one of the most discriminated against workers on the ranch. Candy knows that because of his hand and his age he will not be any use to anyone soon, and so is aware of the discrimination he is going to face. He knows that he will be fired, because he saw the same thing happen to his dog- shot because he was old and useless. Candy is almost saved from his fate by George, Lennie and the dream. But after Lennie is shot, Candy must resign himself to the fact that he will have to stay at the ranch until he is no longer needed and kicked out.
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