Slim! Paragraphs Flashcards
(3 cards)
Natural Authority
In Of Mice and Men, the character of Slim is portrayed as a very highly regarded and naturally authoritative individual who endeavours to bring justice to the ranch. He commands the respect of the other men through his professional skill and strength of character, so much so that he is depicted as the “prince of the ranch”. Steinbeck illustrates Slim as having “a gravity in his manner and a quiet so profound that all talk stopped when he spoke”, highlighting Slim’s commanding presence and the innate respect that he inspires among the other characters. It is made clear that he posesses a seriousness and wisdom that make others instinctively listen to him, contrasted to characters like Curley who try to assert dominance through violence and fear. His quietness symbolises his dignity and authority in a world filled with brutality. Furthermore, Slim’s power is heightened in Candy acknowleding that his “opinions were law” representing how Slim is a figure of stability in the chaos that surrounds the Great Depression. His words carry unquestionable weight, and he is a symbol of justice and reason in a collapsed society as a result of the Great Depression. Moreover, slim is depicted as moving “with a majesty only achieved by royalty and master craftsmen”, underlining how much like a saint, people naturally follow his lead because of who he is, not because they have to. His respect and natural authority stem from his competence - he earns admiration though ability. Additionally, it is noted that “his authority was so great that his word was taken on any subject”, underlining how Slim’s judgements were always regarded due to his fairness and integrity.
Understanding of people
Throughout the novella Slim is presented as a very intuitive and understanding individual, with his ability to read people being one of his prevalent attributes. In his conversation with George about why he and Lennie stick together, “Slim looked at George and beyond him”, representing how he is seeing through George to something deeper; he isn’t just listening, he is perceiving. Slim’s ability to penetrate the surface highlights his rare emotional intelligence in a world where most men hide their feelings. This is further reinforced in Steinbeck describing Slim as having ears that “heard more than was said to him”, accentuating how in a society where most characters fail to connect and communicate, Slim serves as a pivotal and emotionally accessible anchor of emotional integrity and and insight. This attribute to his character serves to be all the more important considering the self-serving atmosphere prevalent in 1930’s America following the Great Depression; in a society where “ever’body in the whole damn world is scared of each other”, Slim is able to keep his composure and emoby a focal point for companionship and probity. He is entirely aware of the exponential levels of paranoia and egocentric behaviour that plagued the lives of intinerate workers in 1930s America, and he serves, to some extent, as a stabilising force against it
Moral compass and mercy
