In Of Mice and Men, Carlson represents the theme of survival and practicality during the Great Depression.
Carlson is described as somewhat cold, indifferent, and unempathetic.
He often adds a darker tone to the narrative, using it as a lens through which the harsh life of an itinerant worker during the Great Depression is presented.
His role in the book underscores the lonesome and unsympathetic environment within which the characters exist, enhancing the themes of loneliness, fear, and the struggle for personal independence.
Of Mice and Men Quotes With Page Numbers
Carlson Character Description
Carlson is a character in John Steinbeck’s novel Of Mice and Men. He is described as a large, big-statured man known for his brusque demeanor and does not shy away from confrontation or harsh sentiments.
In the novel, Carlson exhibits blatant disregard for the emotions of others, particularly evidenced by his dismissal of Candy’s attachment to his old dog. As illustrated in Chapter 2, Page 36,
Carlson expresses his disgust towards the dog’s aging state and suggests that Candy should kill it: “Whyn’t you get Candy to shoot his old dog and give him one of the pups to raise? I can smell that dog a mile away. Got no teeth, damn near blind, can’t eat. Candy feeds him milk. He can’t chew nothing else.”
Further, in Chapter 3, Page 44, Carlson persists with his insensitive demand, showing his insensitivity and his perception of the dog as an object with no innate worth. He says to Candy, “Got no teeth,” He’s all stiff with rheumatism. He ain’t no good to you, Candy. An’ he ain’t no good to himself. Why’n’t you shoot him, Candy?”
Carlson is also depicted as callous in his approach to dealing with Candy’s objections to killing the dog. Steinbeck writes in Chapter 3, Page 45: “Well, you ain’t bein’ kind to him keepin’ him alive,” said Carlson. “Look, Slim’s bitch got a litter right now. I bet Slim would give you one of them pups to raise up, wouldn’t you, Slim?”
Moreover, Carlson does not hesitate to insult or ridicule others, unabashedly mocking Curley in Chapter 3, Page 62: “You…punk, You tried to throw a scare into Slim, an’ you couldn’t make it stick. Slim throwed a scare inta you. You’re yella as a frog belly.”
Interestingly, despite his gruff exterior, Carlson does show an element of surprise and curiosity about the emotional reactions of others.
In Chapter 6, Page 107, he is perplexed by George and Lennie’s relationship and emotional connection: “Now what the hell ya suppose is eatin’ them two guys?”
Carlson seems to represent those who could not understand the importance of human relationships in challenging times.
In sum, Carlson can be described as a man of straightforward and often harsh demeanor, seemingly uncaring about the emotional well-being of others yet intriguingly curious about the nature of emotional relationships.
His character starkly contrasts the bond between George and Lennie, highlighting the lack of empathy and understanding in such hardened environments.
Carlson of Mice and Men Quotes With Page Numbers
“These guys jus’ come,” said Slim by way of introduction.
“Glad to meet ya,” the big man said. “My name’s Carlson.”
~John Steinbeck, Of Mice and Men, Slim and Carlson, Chapter 2, Page 35
“Carlson said thoughtfully, “Well, looka here, Slim. I been thinkin’.
That dog of Candy’s is so…old he can’t hardly walk.
Stinks like hell, too. Ever’ time he comes into the bunk house I can smell him for two, three days.”
~John Steinbeck, Of Mice and Men, Carlson, Chapter 2, Page 36
“Carlson stepped back to let Slim precede him, an then the two of them went out the door.”
~John Steinbeck, Of Mice and Men, Carlson, Chapter 2, Page 36
“Whyn’t you get Candy to shoot his old dog and give him one of the pups to raise up? I can smell that dog a mile away. Got no teeth, damn near blind, can’t eat. Candy feeds him milk. He can’t chew nothing else.”
~John Steinbeck, Of Mice and Men, Carlson, Chapter 2, Page 36
“There she goes,” said Carlson.
~John Steinbeck, Of Mice and Men, Carlson about Curley’s Wife, Chapter 2, Page 36
“The thick-bodied Carlson came in out of the darkening yard. He walked to the other end of the bunk house and turned on the second shaded light. “Darker’n hell in here,” he said. “Jesus, how that n**** can pitch shoes.”
~John Steinbeck, Of Mice and Men, Carlson about Crooks, Chapter 3 Page 44
“Damn right he is,” said Carlson. “He don’t give nobody else a chance to win-”
~John Steinbeck, Of Mice and Men, Carlson, Chapter 3, Page 44
“He stopped and sniffed the air, and still sniffing, looked down at the old dog. “God awmighty, that dog stinks. Get him outa here, Candy! I don’t know nothing that stinks as bad as an old dog. You gotta get him out.”
~John Steinbeck, Of Mice and Men, Carlson, Chapter 3, Page 44
“Well, I can’t stand him in here,” said Carlson. “That stink hangs around even after he’s gone.” He walked over with his heavylegged stride and looked down at the dog. “Got no teeth,” he said. “He’s all stiff with rheumatism. He ain’t no good to you, Candy. An’ he ain’t no good to himself. Why’n’t you shoot him, Candy?”
~John Steinbeck, Of Mice and Men, Carlson, Chapter 3, Page 44
“Carlson was not to be put off. “Look, Candy. This of dog jus’ suffers hisself all the time. If you was to take him out and shoot him right in the back of the head-” he leaned over and pointed, “- right there, why he’d never know what hit him.”
~John Steinbeck, Of Mice and Men, Carlson, Chapter 3, Page 45
“Well, you ain’t bein’ kind to him keepin’ him alive,” said Carlson.
“Look, Slim’s bitch got a litter right now. I bet Slim would give you one of them pnps to raise up, wouldn’t you, Slim?”
~John Steinbeck, Of Mice and Men, Carlson, Chapter 3, Page 45
“He don’t have no fun,” Carlson insisted. “And he stinks to beat hell. Tell you what. I’ll shoot him for you. Then it won’t be you that does it.”
~John Steinbeck, Of Mice and Men, Carlson, Chapter 3, Page 45
“Carlson said, “The way I’d shoot him, he wouldn’t feel nothing. I’d put the gun right there.” He pointed with his toe. “Right back of the head. He wouldn’t even quiver.”
~John Steinbeck, Of Mice and Men, Carlson, Chapter 3, Page 45
“During the conversation Carlson had refused to be drawn in. He continued to look down at the old dog. Candy watched him uneasily. At last Carlson said, “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. Can’t eat, can’t see, can’t even walk without hurtin’.”
~John Steinbeck, Of Mice and Men, Carlson, Chapter 3, Page 47
“I don’t see no reason for it,” said Carlson. He went to his bunk, pulled his bag from underneath it and took out a Luger pistol. “Le’s get it over with,” he said. “We can’t sleep with him stinkin’ around in here.” He put the pistol in his hip pocket.
~John Steinbeck, Of Mice and Men, Carlson, Chapter 3, Page 47
“From his pocket Carlson took a little leather thong. He stooped over and tied it around the old dog’s neck. All the men except Candy watched him.
“Come boy. Come on, boy,” he said gently. And he said apologetically to Candy, “He won’t even feel it.” Candy did not move nor answer him. He twitched the thong. “Come on, boy.” The old dog got slowly and stiffly to his feet and followed the gently pulling leash.
Slim said, “Carlson.”
“Yeah?”
“You know what to do.”
~John Steinbeck, Of Mice and Men, Carlson and Slim, Chapter 3, Page 48
“Carlson reached under his bunk and brought out his bag. He didn’t look at old Candy, who still faced the wall. Carlson found a little cleaning rod in the bag and a can of oil. He laid them on his bed and then brought out the pistol, took out the magazine and snapped the loaded shell from the chamber. Then he fell to cleaning the barrel with the little rod. When the ejector snapped, Candy turned over and looked for a moment at the gun before he turned back to the wall again.”
~John Steinbeck, Of Mice and Men, Carlson, Chapter 3, Page 53
“Carlson squinted down the barrel of his gun. “Lookin’ for his old lady. I seen him going round and round outside.”
~John Steinbeck, Of Mice and Men, Carlson, Chapter 3, Page 53
“Carlson laughed. “You…punk,” he said. You tried to throw a scare into Slim, an’ you couldn’t make it stick. Slim throwed a scare inta you. You’re yella as a frog belly. I don’t care if you’re the best welter in the country. You come for me, an’ I’ll kick your…head off.”
Candy joined the attack with joy, “Glove fulla vaseline,” he said disgustedly. Curley flared at him. His eyes slipped on past and lighted on Lennie; and Lennie was still smiling with delight at the memory of the ranch.”
~John Steinbeck, Of Mice and Men, Carlson, Chapter 3, Page 62
“But George sat stiffly on the bank and looked at his right hand that had thrown the gun away.
The group burst into the clearing, and Curley was ahead. He saw Lennie lying on the sand. “Got him, by God.” He went over and looked down at Lennie, and then he looked back at George. “Right in the back of the head,” he said softly.
Slim came directly to George and sat down beside him, sat very close to him. “Never you mind,”
said Slim. “A guy got to sometimes.”
But Carlson was standing over George.
“How’d you do it?” he asked.
“I just done it,” George said tiredly.”
~John Steinbeck, Of Mice and Men, Slim, Carlson, and George, Chapter 6, Page 107
“Curley and Carlson looked after them. And Carlson said, “Now what the hell ya suppose is eatin’ them two guys?”
~John Steinbeck, Of Mice and Men, Carlson, Chapter 6, Page 107
What is an important quote from Carlson in Of Mice and Men?
“Well, you ain’t bein’ kind to him keepin’ him alive,” said Carlson.
“Look, Slim’s bitch got a litter right now. I bet Slim would give you one of them pnps to raise up, wouldn’t you, Slim?”
~John Steinbeck, Of Mice and Men, Carlson, Chapter 3, Page 45
What does Carlson symbolize in Of Mice and Men?
Carlson symbolizes a segment of society that is insensitive and ruthlessly practical. Exemplified by his brusque, non-empathetic personality and his ruthless killing of Candy’s old dog, Carlson represents the harsh realities of the Great Depression era.
His practicality, devoid of sympathy, reflects the challenging and arguably inhumane conditions the ranch workers live in.
What does Carlson do in Of Mice and Men?
In John Steinbeck’s “Of Mice and Men,” Carlson is a worker on the ranch where George and Lennie have taken temporary jobs.
He is portrayed as somewhat insensitive, as seen in scenes where he persuades Candy to kill his aged dog and when he loses his Luger, implying that Lennie has stolen it, which results in a manhunt for Lennie.
Moreover, his insensitivity is highlighted yet again when he shows no understanding or empathy toward George’s grief after George has had to kill Lennie.