In the novella Of Mice and Men, written by John Steinbeck, there is a contrast in the power of authority among two conflicting characters. Of Mice and Men takes place during the 1930s, when the Great Depression caused the circulation of migrant workers, two of whom being George and Lennie. On a Soledad ranch, works Slim, a jerkline skinner who oversees the other workers on the field whilst they load barley, with Slim steering the mules. To the workers, Slim gives off a wise aura, with each of his words taken on any subject, and is conscientious, as he is the works hard to be the best on the grain team. Slim gets his authority on the ranch through respect, which is seen in many events throughout the novella. After Carlson, another worker, states that Candy, the swamper, should not keep his dog alive, Slim agrees and offers Candy one of his pups, "Candy looks helplessly at him, for Slim 's opinions were law" (Steinbeck 45). Upon Slim expressing his opinion, Candy reluctantly lets Carlson shoot his dog. Candy capitulating demonstrates the power of Slim holds in everything that he says. Candy did not have to listen to Slim because he was not in the field and could have easily rejected the plea that Carlson made. However, Candy decides to listen to Slim, which shows that Candy trusts the judgment of Slim more than he does his own, which is to not terminate the personal conncection he has with his dog. Slim is given authority both in the bunkhouse and in the fields, for the