Notes for Secondary characters - IB | RevisionDojo
Secondary characters Notes
Secondary Characters in Of Mice and Men
Key Secondary Characters and Their Significance
Crooks
The isolated African American stable buck who represents racial discrimination and social isolation
Lives alone in the harness room, physically separated from other workers
His character serves multiple purposes:
Social commentary on 1930s racism
Symbol of isolation and loneliness
Mirror to Lennie's vulnerability
Callout
Curley's Wife
The only female character in the novel
Often misunderstood and complex character who represents:
The limitations placed on women in 1930s America
The destructive power of loneliness
The corruption of the American Dream
Callout
Candy
The aging ranch hand who fears being "put out to pasture"
His character development centers around:
The parallel between him and his old dog
His desperate attachment to George and Lennie's dream
The theme of aging and obsolescence in American society
Callout
Literary Functions of Secondary Characters
As Theme Carriers
Loneliness and Isolation
Crooks: Racial isolation
Curley's Wife: Gender-based isolation
Candy: Age-based isolation
The American Dream
Each secondary character has their own version of the dream
Their failures highlight the dream's unattainability
As Plot Devices
Drive the narrative forward through:
Creating conflicts (Curley's Wife)
Providing opportunities for character revelation (Crooks)
Adding complexity to the main storyline (Candy)
Callout
Symbolic Significance
Crooks' Room
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Who is Crooks in 'Of Mice and Men'?
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Note
Secondary characters in literature serve as crucial elements that enrich the story's depth and meaning. These characters are more than just background figures - they act as mirrors that reflect the main themes and help develop the central characters' arcs.
Secondary characters provide different perspectives and voices that challenge or support the protagonists
They often represent broader social issues and themes that the author wants to explore
Their interactions with main characters reveal important character traits and motivations
DefinitionSecondary Characters
Characters who, while not the main focus of the story, play important roles in developing themes, advancing the plot, and providing context for the protagonists' journey.
Analogy
Think of secondary characters as the supporting pillars of a building - while not as visible as the facade, they are essential for the structure's integrity and stability.
