This shows how Candy is isolated due to his disability. By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. Ace your assignments with our guide to Of Mice and Men! The guys leaves him back at the ranch while they go to drink and sleep with women. The dog and its weakness is a symbolism Steinbeck used to compare to Candy and his missing hand. That dog aint no good to himself. Describe the conversation George and Lennie have after the men go in search of a fight between Cruley and Slim. Example: Curley stepped over to Lennie like a terrier. The "shotgun ending" of the story brings it to a conclusion; otherwise a story about the hard lives of farm workers could go on indefinitely. Our summaries and analyses are written by experts, and your questions are answered by real teachers. Related Read: What to do my dog killed my other dog? Finally, Carlson may have simply felt that it was the right thing to do. However, it is important to note that not everyone in the novel is like Carlson. He has nothing to look forward to and nothing in his life, this dream gives him something to live for and look forward to, Spanish 2 Vocabulary Quiz 8 PS on Las Fiestas, Spanish 2 Vocabulary Quiz 9 PS on Las Celebra, A Tale of Two Cities: Book 2 Study Questions, The tale of two cities book 1 and beg of 2, PFL Unit 2B Summative Assessment Study Guide, PFL Unit 2 Summative Assessment Study Guide, SpringBoard English Language Arts: Grade 10, myPerspectives: English Language Arts, Grade 7, Vocabulary for Achievement: Fourth Course, myPerspectives: Grade 10, Volume 2 California Edition, Social processes, Attitudes and Behavior, Cul. The fate of Candys ancient dog, which Carlson shoots in the back of the head in an alleged act of mercy, foreshadows the manner of Lennies death. We can not guarantee its completeness or reliability so please use caution. Additionally, Candy looks desperate when the outlook of being part of Lennie and George's dream of the small farm comes up, he says, "And they give me two hundred and fifty dollars 'cause I lost my hand. Which of the following characters check the dead body for vital signs? Evaluate the fabric and workmanship on each. to start your free trial of SparkNotes Plus. She had raised him from a pup and he was her best friend. Carlson completely ignores any sentimental or affectionate feelings Candy might have for his dog and only focuses on the dogs uselessness, suffering, and inconvenience. In Of Mice and Men, how and why does Lennie kill Curley's wife? Carlson doesn't have a good reason; he's just a mean guy. Additionally, Carlson may have been worried about the dog being a burden on Candy. When they arrive at the ranch, Lennie and George meet Candy and his elderly dog as they are introduced to the others in the bunkhouse. Why does George kill Lennie in Of Mice and Men? Candy will survive through his friendship of Lennie and George. These words imply Candy's weakness for not putting the dog down; in addition, they foreshadow the final chapter of Steinbeck's novella as Lennie, who no longer can be of use and who has made one too many mistakes must go or be imprisoned. Lennie is given the imagery of a large bear-like creature who can, if allowed to, kill the little "terrier" dog. The author needed to establish that George had access to a weapon, but it could not be a weapon that George actually owned. Why does Curley react the way he does ? Another possibility is that Carlson may have had it out for Candy personally and saw shooting his dog as a way to get back at him. Candy's dog relates to the reason why Lennie was killed by George. Curley is described as a little aggressive dog with more bark than bite. While this may have been true, it was clearly not the whole story. When he shoots Candy's dog, it is clear that he does not care about the animal's life, or Candy's feelings. I don't care if you're the best welter in the country. Curley is beating Lennie up and Lennie is not protecting himself. Slim and Whit discover a "letter to the editor", written by a man who used to work on the ranch in the magazine. She was also sad that she would never see her dog again. The old man came slowly into the room. Candy also had a close relationship with his dog. Carlson offers to shoot the old dog, complaining many times of the smell. Thanks for creating a SparkNotes account! The other men are not scared of Curley. That dog of Candys is so God damn old he cant hardly walk. Disappointed in her life, Curley's wife wonders where she would be if she had become, How are George and Lennie different from the other men, In the power structure of the ranch which character has the least amount of power. What are carlson's reasons for shooting the dog? In John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men, who actually steals Carlson's gun? Log in here. Carlson explains to Candy exactly why the old dog should be put out of its misery. What are the advantages of rotary screen printing, compared to other methods? And at his heels there walked a dragfooted sheep dog, gray of muzzle, and with pale, blind old eyes. He walked over with his heavy-legged stride and looked down at the dog. Want 100 or more? Steinbeck could have had Carlson just show George the gun and explain how the automatic worked, but he was too conscientious a writer for such shortcuts. Lennie was attracted to the same type of girl in Weed. Subscribe now. You're yella as a frog belly. Candy cant stand up for his pet because Candy cant stand up for himself., After Carlson shot Candy's dog Candy tells George, "I oughtta of shot that dog myself, George. Carlson claimed he didn't know what happened to Candy's dog, but many people believe he deliberately let the dog loose because he was jealous of the attention Candy was giving him. George even tries to reason with Carlson, explaining that the dog is old and helpless, but Carlson does not listen. Learning of Candys dogs condition helps readers understand how Candy himself might feel. Carlson shoots the dog, and a while later, Candy tells George : "I ought to of shot that dog myself, George. Free trial is available to new customers only. May 1, 2023, SNPLUSROCKS20 Here, Candys dog once again symbolizes the fear and realities of an aging farm worker. The dog struggled lamely to the side of the room and lay down, grunting softly to himself and licking his grizzled, moth-eaten coat. The dog is too old to be of any use and stinks up the room. Whynt you shoot him, Candy?. One possibility is that Carlson was simply trying to be a good steward of the ranch and saw the dog as a threat to the livestock. When Curley comes into the bunkhouse, for whom is he looking? Everything that happens happens because the author decided to make it happen. (His dog is old and weak; he is disabled. An' I got fifty more saved up right in the bank right now. Candy probably owned a dog for the same reason that Carlson owned a pistol. As Candy hears about George and Lennies dream to own a little farm, he jumps at the chance to join in, describing where his enthusiasm comes from and why he has such a deep desire to feel useful and secure as he ages. The killing of Candys dog foreshadows Lennies death. Carlson shot Candys dog to put it out of its misery because Candy couldnt bring himself to do it. Why does Carlson want to shoot Candy's dog? They had to run away from Weed because Lennie would not let go of a pretty girl. Both the book and the play came out in the same year, 1937. On one hand, they understood that the dog was old and sick and that it needed to be put down. Why does Carlson want to shoot Candy's dog? John Steinbeck had to work out the plot for his novel before writing it. An he aint no good to himself. Candy and his dog parallel the relationship of George and Lennie. Lennie scares the girl in the red dress in the town of Weed. Any action you take based on the information found on nahf.org is strictly at your discretion. Copyright 1999 - 2023 GradeSaver LLC. Candy was heartbroken when Carlson shot her dog. What is the name of the town from which George and Lennie are fleeing when the story opens? eNotes.com will help you with any book or any question. They don't have much ( foreshadows Lennie's fate). Carlson keeps the handgun partly as a souvenir and partly for protection. How to teach dog to greet other dogs calmly? He would only allow himself to do something; Lennie and the dog both need someone else to survive with and both grew up with either George or Candy when they were younger. Carlsons view of Candys dog also hints at the humanity of putting the dog out of its misery, something they couldnt do for an old man like Candy. Candy's dog was going to die eventually anyway, and Carlson may have thought that it would be more humane to kill the animal quickly rather than let it suffer. Already a member? That dog ain't no good to himself. His hand is cut off, so he can't lift stuff. In John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men, who actually steals Carlson's gun? Quotes - I ought to of shot that dog myself, George. This causes Candy to become even more lonely and isolated. George describes to Lennie the sights, sounds, and smells of the farm they hope to someday own and the description interests Candy. Examining ethics. Whynt you get Candy to shoot his old dog and give him one of the pups to raise up? What happens as a result of Lennie's taking care of himself? He glanced up at Whit again. Why is Candy unable to imagine getting rid of his old dog? Related Read: How to teach dog to greet other dogs calmly? Everybody. Carlson completely ignores any sentimental or affectionate feelings Candy might have for his dog and only focuses on the dogs uselessness, suffering, and inconvenience. "Got no teeth," he said. What excites Lennie most about his dream life with George? Candys loneliness affects George and Lennie and alters the dream to a three man thing instead of just George and Lennie., The Significance of the Killing of Candy's Dog in Of Mice and Men. Youve successfully purchased a group discount. A ranch workers life during this time period was determined by his usefulness, and survival was directly linked to his ability to physically work. I won't have no place to go, an' I can't get no more jobs.(Steinbeck, 60) This quote really symbolizes the suffering that Candy goes through and how the men were willing to kill the old dog, while letting the old guy suffer. Why does Candy say that he should have shot his dog himself instead of letting a stranger do it? Candy's dog is a loyal companion that has been with him for . Afterwards, Candy has regrets about the ordeal, and wishes he would have killed the dog himself instead. For example, there is hardly any prose exposition in the book. Why does Lennie have a dead mouse in his pocket? Candy, like George, is different from the other ranch hands because he has his dog as a constant companion, someone devoted and loyal to him. What changes might an older person experience that would affect his or her clothing needs? ( Numerous Biblical stories could run parallel here. Best summary PDF, themes, and quotes. What happened that made George stop playing tricks on Lennie in Of Mice and Men? "You can have a pup if you want to.". He says that they will be taken care of and Lennie will be protected, What do George and Lennie talk about when Lennie comes into the house? Was Carlson killing Candys dog justified? Candy had to agree to let Carlson shoot his old dog because the author mandated it for plot purposes. Why does Carlson suggest shooting Candy's dog ? | Of Mice and Men