There are many symbols within the novella Of Mice and Men like Candy's old dog, Lennie's Puppy and George & Lennie's dream. These symbols represent various themes; like how Candy' dog represent a symbol of the old, weak & cripple, which then leads to the theme of 'the weak and the strong'. Lennie's puppy is one of the several symbols that symbolises the victory of the strong over the weak, which in other words, mean that Lennie's Puppy (a symbol) constitute a part of the theme 'power'. And finally, George and Lennie's Dream is a symbol of the free, independent, peaceful life that everyone wishes for, which comes from the theme 'dreams'. Research says that Candy's dog is symbolic for the old, weak & cripple or "the fate awaiting anyone who has outlived his or her purpose." This symbol is simply just a representation of survival of the fittest; and referring to page 51, Slim said to Candy, "That dog ain't no good to himself. I wisht somebody'd shoot me if I got old an' a cripple." What Slim implied talked about what the people - way back then - did to the old and weak, of course they didn't execute the old people but instead allow them continue to live until they die. People needed money to live and being the weakest, like Candy's old dog, is incapable of back-breaking labour and earn the …show more content…
You ain't so little as mice. I didn't bounce you hard." This quote shows the strength that Lennie - who is oblivious to - used to inadvertently kill the puppy. Why would Lennie's strength be a part of the theme 'power'? Well, power doesn't consistently have to mean "to have control over" or "the capacity or ability to direct or influence the behaviour of others or the course of events", power could also mean "physical strength", which is what Lennie had accidentally used to slaughter his puppy; but of course, like his innocent puppy, Lennie was unaware of the vicious, predatory powers that surround him, so therefore he