What are examples of indirect characterization from Of Mice and Men?

Answer 1

Lennie:

-Direct Characterization: Lennie is described as being bear-like, with big "paws" and a dark, faraway look in his eyes. His strength is also that of a bear's.

-Indirect Characterization: Lennie speaks using semi-broken English; from this as well as what we know about the time period, we know that he is probably uneducated.

-Quote: "Behind him walked his opposite, a huge man, shapeless of face, with large, pale eyes, and wide, sloping shoulders; he walked heavily, dragging his feet a little, the way a bear drags his paws." (This quote is obviouslyy a physical description of Lennie.)

George:

-Direct Characterization: George is a sharp, small man with distinctive features and restless eyes. He is also said to be very defined in every way.

-Indirect Characterization: George often is very questioning and critical of most everything. This shows his intrusive, almost aprehensive, way of thinking about things. He wants to know everything about something before he accepts it.

-Quote: "Jesus Christ! I bet we could swing her. I bet we could swing her." (This quote is describing how important the dream is to George. He values it, because it is the only thing he has to look forward to.)

Slim:

-Direct Characterization: Slim is described with a prince-like presence and an inviting personality.

-Indirect Characterization: Everyone goes to talk to Slim about their problems, displaying and solidifying his role as the mediator of the ranch.

-Quote: "It was Slim's calm invitation to confidence." (Slim is using his intimate actions to let George know that he can talk to Slim if he'd like. This motivates George to talk to him.)

Curley:

-Direct Characterization: Curley is a short, tough man with an extreme inferiority complex.

-Indirect Characterization: Curley is bothered by his height, so he chooses to pick battles with any taller person he meets. He feels that this will make up for his shortness.

-Quote: "Ya know, Lennie, I'm scared I'm gonna tangle with that bastard myself. I hate his guts. Jesus Christ!" (George shows his hatred for Curley because of his temper and his tendency to fight anyone.)

Curley's Wife:

-Direct Characterization: She is described as a tart, who shows off her body and heavily made up face to all of the men on the ranch.

-Indirect Characterization: She is desperatley displaying herself to the men to gain attention. We can therefore infer that she feels unwanted and like all of the men just discard her as unworthy.

-Quote: "Well, I think Curley's married...a tart." (This quote shows that Curley's wife's attempts are basically backfiring on her, as the men don't like her.)

Carlson:

-Direct Characterization: Carlson is a very harsh, uncaring man who is said to be powerful and big-stomached. This shows his dominance over the other characters.

-Indirect Characterization: Carlson thinks that anything that has outlived its usefulness doesn't deserve to be alive; his "survival of the fittest" mentality shines through with this thinking.

-Quote: "If you want me to, I'll put the old devil out of his misery right now and get it over with. Ain't nothing left for him." (Carlson obviously thinks that Candy's dog is useless at this point, and successfully convinces Candy to let him kill it.)

Candy:

-Direct Characterization: Candy is an old man who had his hand cut off at the ranch, and has worked as a janitor there ever since. He has a lot of money saved up.

-Indirect Characterization: Candy is scared that the ranch will eventually get rid of him because he isn't useful anymore. This fear is personified in Candy's dog, who is killed by Carlson because he thinks that the dog has no purpose.

-Quote: "I ain't much good with on'y one hand. I lost my hand right here on this ranch. That's why they gave me a job swampin'....I ain't much good, but I could cook and tend to the chickens and hoe the garden some. How'd that be?" (Candy makes an offer to help Lennie and George achieve their dream by contributing money and little labor. Candy does this because he is afraid that the ranch will get rid of him, and he will have no one there for him.)

Answer 2

One example of indirect characterization in "Of Mice and Men" is when George describes Lennie as being strong but mentally challenged, showing the reader his physical and mental qualities indirectly. Another example is when Slim is shown to be respected by the other ranch workers for his leadership qualities and level-headedness, portraying his character indirectly through their interactions and comments.

Answer 3

With direct characterization the audience knows right away who the characters are and what they are about. An example of direct characterization in Of Mice and Men can be seen with Lennie Small. Lennie is a mentally disabled individual. However, physically he is big and strong.

Answer 4

Curly was quick and mean. (The author told you who was quick and mean.)