Candy's Fate: The Loss of His Dog and His Hope

Traces Candy's journey from an aging swamper with a dog to a man who loses his only companion and his dream of a better future.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

Candy's Introduction

The Old Man on the Ranch Candy's Role Candy is the old swamper, a man who has lost his hand in a ranch accident. He is relegated to cleaning and odd jobs. He is a fixture of the ranch, but he is nearing the end of his usefulness. He is afraid of being fired. The Dog as His Only Friend Candy's dog is his only companion. The dog is old and smell, but Candy loves it. The dog represents Candy's past, a time when he was whole. The dog is a symbol of Candy's own obsolescence. The Fear of Being Useless Candy is aware that he is no longer productive. He fears that the ranch will eventually let him go. His only hope is the dog, and later, the dream of the farm. The dream offers him a future where he is not a burden.

The Loss of the Dog

The Death of a Companion The Pressure to Shoot the Dog Carlson insists that the dog be shot. Candy resists, but he is pressured by the group. He finally agrees, but he cannot bring himself to do it. Carlson shoots the dog. Candy lies on his bunk, staring at the ceiling. The Regret Candy later tells George that he should have shot the dog himself. He regrets letting a stranger do it. This regret will haunt him. The dog's death is a rehearsal for the loss of the dream. The Emotional Impact Candy's grief is a foreshadowing of George's grief. He has lost his only companion. The dog's death leaves him alone, just as George will be alone after Lennie's death.

The Dream and Its Death

The Hope and Its Destruction The Offer of Savings Candy offers his savings to join George and Lennie's dream. He is excited about the possibility of a future. He feels that he has a place in the world again. The dream gives him a reason to live. The Discovery of the Body When Candy finds Curley's wife's body, he knows the dream is dead. He tells George, "I ought to of shot that dog myself." He links the two losses. The dream is gone, and Candy is left with nothing. The Final Fate Candy's fate is left uncertain. He will likely remain on the ranch, alone and bitter. He has lost his dog and his dream. He is a symbol of the hopelessness of the old and weak in the itinerant worker's world.

The first day at the ranch

The first evening at the ranch

The second and third days