Carlson
Looks
Powerful, big-stomached man that is aggressive.
Feels
Lacks normal human emotions and feelings.
Mostly emotionless kills Candy's dog without much feeling.
Big stomached man with a sternness about him.
Likes
Destroying things.
Horse shoes
Gambling
Critic Says
Carlson is violent, brutal, and insensitive.
"Carlson is a brutal, violent, unsympathetic, and emotionless man. He is a part of all of the destructive events in the novel. He kills Candy's dog without any thought of Candy's feelings towards the animal. He also is an adamant participant in the hunting of Lennie. His lack of compassion and emotional connection to anything is illustrated at the end of the novel when Slim offers compassion to George and Carlson replies by stating
"what the hell do ya' suppose is the matter with them two?" -- Frank N. Magill A Survey of American Literature
Subtopic
Main topic
Actions
Gets in a verbal argument with Curley with the guys.
Kills Candy's dog. Buries it after Slim tells him to.
Environment
Social environment is very predatorial. The weaker characters are destroyed.
A ranch with poor conditions. Men sleep on burlap sacks filled with hay.
Thinks
Lennie stole his gun.
Candy's dog is old and stinks.
Says
"You damn punk. You're yellow as a frog belly. I don't care if you're the best welter in the country. You come after me I'll kick your damn head off"
"What the hell do ya' suppose is the matter with those two guys?"
"That bastard stole my luger. It's not in my bag."
"That dog can't eat, can't see, and smells to beat hell. It's no good to you or itself"
"That old dog suffers itself all the time. Why don't cha' shoot it?"
