Of Mice and Men
Scene #2 · Chapter 3
Carlson complains that Candy's ancient, blind dog smells and suffers, insisting the old man should let him shoot it. Candy resists desperately, offering weak excuses and looking to the other men for support that never comes. Slim finally agrees with Carlson, and Candy reluctantly consents, turning to face the wall as Carlson leads the dog outside. The men wait in silence until they hear the gunshot, and Candy stares at the ceiling with silent tears on his cheeks.
The shooting demonstrates the ranch's brutal logic that the weak and useless must be eliminated, foreshadowing Lennie's fate. Candy's regret that he didn't shoot his own dog himself parallels George's final decision to kill Lennie rather than let strangers do it. The scene reveals how loneliness and powerlessness strip away dignity in this world.
“Carl’s right, Candy. That dog ain’t no good to himself. I wisht somebody’d shoot me if I got old an’ a cripple.”
Chapter 3 · Slim
A shot sounded in the distance. The men looked quickly at the old man. Every head turned toward him.
Chapter 3 · Narrator
“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?”
Chapter 3 · Carlson
Candy looked for help from face to face. It was quite dark outside by now.
Chapter 3 · Narrator
“Awright—take ’im.” He did not look down at the dog at all. He lay back on his bunk and crossed his arms behind his head and stared at the ceiling.
Chapter 3 · Candy