Curley's Wife Reports

Character List

Lennie: Lennie is a ranch worker in California. Lennie has a slight mental disability, and relies on his friend and fellow ranch worker George to help him find his way around. He is tall and mighty compared to George. Lennie and George plan on having their own ranch, complete with rabbits for Lennie to take care of.

George: George is also a ranch worker in California. He is, in a way, Lennie’s caretaker. It is quite obvious that George resents having Lennie by his side, and mentions it quite often in the book, yet still continues working with him. George is small and lanky compared to Lennie. The story he created of the ranch that he and Lennie will have in the future keeps Lennie’s hopes up, which helps George believe in

It is clear in the novella that he thinks that he is better than the rest of the ranch workers, and treats them poorly. Curley is also very controlling of his wife, who talks to the other men often.

Curley’s wife: Curley’s wife is the only female character in the story. She occasionally talks to the other men on the ranch, because of she gets lonely. Curley is very controlling of her and does not like her talking to the other men.

Slim: Slim is a ranch worker, along with Lennie and George. He seems to be content with his life, and the others often look to him for advice on various topics.

Carlson: Carlson is also a ranch worker, and does not like Candy’s dog. He ultimately persuaded Candy to agree to let him put his dog down.

Whit: Whit is also a ranch worker.

Chapter Summaries

Chapter 1: George and Lennie are ranch workers on their way to the new ranch they are going to be working at. They stop to sleep in a field before arriving there.

Chapter 2: George and Lennie arrive at the ranch, and they settle into the bunkhouse. They meet Candy, an older ranch worker, and he tells George about the other men on the ranch. Candy learns of the farm George and Lennie are starting and decides to join

They got no family.” page 15

“A guy needs somebody—to be near him.” He whined, “A guy goes nuts if he ain’t got nobody. Don’t make no difference who the guy is, long’s he’s with you.” page 71

“Maybe if he sees somethin’, he don’t know whether it’s right or not. He can’t turn to some other guy and ast him if he sees it too.” page 71

Unfamiliar Words

Recumbent: lying down; in a position of comfort or rest

“Carrying in their lower leaf junctures the debris of the winter’s flooding; and sycamores with mottled, white, recumbent limbs and branches that arch over the pool.” page 3

Pugnacious: tough and callous by virtue of experience

“His glance was at once calculating and pugnacious.” page 25

Plaintively: expressing sorrow or melancholy; mournful

“Lennie’s eyes were frightened. “I don’t want no trouble,” he said plaintively. “Don’t let him sock me, George.” page 29

Derision: ridicule; mockery

“Through the open door came the thuds and occasional clangs of a horseshoe game, and now and then the sound of voices raised in approval or derision.” page 38

Lynch: to put to death, especially by hanging, by mob action and without legal authority.

“The guys in Weed start a party out to lynch Lennie.” page