The Character: Candy
The gossip known as Candy is portrayed as a rather old man who likes someone to talk to. Candy’s dog show’s his dependence and loneliness, as when it is put down by Carlson, Candy is desolate. The way the dog is put down show’s Candy’s greatest fear. Candy is afraid of being canned and disposed of when he is no longer able to do any work, just like his dog was. Candy is a big gossip, and he is so because he is sees it as a way to become friendly with others – he is lonely just like all ranch workers. Steinbeck uses Candy as a way to show the discrimination towards the aged and the handicapped.
Candy desperately involves himself in Lennie and George’s dream. He instantly sees an opportunity for him to have a better life and he tries to grab it – however that opportunity is lost when Curley’s wife is killed. Although, because of Candy the dream almost became a reality for both him and George.
“The door opened and a tall, stoop-shouldered old man came in. He was dressed in blue jeans and he carried a big push-broom in his left hand.”