Main

Motifs 

The Corrupting Power of Women

• Many believe that Curley's wife took advantage(or attempted to) of the ranch hands. Her appearance took over the men who knew right from wrong, but she chose the weakest one mentally.

Kim's Page 

Loneliness and Companionship

• Crooks hadn't had anyone to talk to. When Lennie began to, he was irritated at first. He eventually warmed up and enjoyed Lennie's company. He felt like he could confide in someone.
• Curley's wife had no other woman around and usually no man to converse with. She rounded the ranch looking for a single soul to listen to her and reply with something other than a way to shoo her away.
• Lennie and George travel together as workers but appear to be companions to the reader. Lennie wouldn't work without George. He wouldn't have a dream, a job, or even a decent life. Without George, Lennie would be scrutinized and not treated as a human being.

Strength and Weakness

• Most of the characters with a weakness are looked at as being worthless, or not worth the money they recieve. Lennie, however, is not. Lennie has George to make up for his lack of a mental capacity. George has Lennie to make up for his lack of physical ability. They use their strength and weaknesses to their advantage by having each other to travel with.