“Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world. They got no family. They don’t belong no place.”
Chapter 1
George Milton and Lennie Small, two migrant ranch workers during the Great Depression, arrive at a clearing near the Salinas River in California. George is small and quick-witted, while Lennie is large and mentally disabled. They dream of owning their own farm one day. George scolds Lennie for accidentally killing a mouse while petting it, revealing Lennie’s love for soft things and his inability to control his strength.
Chapter 2
The next day, George and Lennie arrive at a ranch where they start new jobs. They meet the boss, his aggressive son Curley, and other workers, including Candy, an old swamper with a missing hand, and Slim, a skilled mule driver. Curley immediately dislikes Lennie due to his size. Curley’s flirtatious wife appears, foreshadowing future trouble.
Chapter 3
In the bunkhouse, Slim gives Lennie a puppy. Candy overhears George describing their dream farm and offers to contribute his savings to join them. Carlson pressures Candy to let him shoot his old, smelly dog. Meanwhile, Curley picks a fight with Lennie, who crushes Curley’s hand when George orders him to defend himself.
Chapter 4
Lennie visits Crooks, the Black stable hand who lives alone due to racial segregation. Crooks initially taunts Lennie but eventually shares his own loneliness. Candy joins them and mentions their farm plan, exciting Crooks, who asks to help. Curley’s wife interrupts, threatening Crooks with false accusations when he asks her to leave.
Chapter 5
Lennie accidentally kills his puppy while petting it too hard. Curley’s wife finds him and confides her loneliness. When she lets Lennie touch her hair, he panics and breaks her neck. Lennie flees to the riverbank from Chapter 1. Candy discovers the body and alerts George.
Chapter 6
George finds Lennie at the riverbank. Knowing the vengeful mob led by Curley will torture Lennie, George retells their dream farm story one last time before shooting him in the back of the head. The other men arrive, and Slim comforts George as they leave together.
Key ideas
- The American Dream and its fragility
- Loneliness and human connection
- The predatory nature of society
- Strength versus weakness dynamics
- Moral responsibility in impossible situations
Who should read this book?
- Readers interested in classic American literature
- Those exploring themes of friendship and dreams
- Students studying social injustice narratives
- Fans of tragic character studies