Of Mice and Men Carlson
by John Steinbeck

Carlson’s only significant action in the text is shooting Candy’s dog to put it out of its misery. Carlson’s Luger also serves as George’s method of carrying out the novel’s dénouement. Carlson does not seem to have the emotional depth of George or Slim as is evidenced by his final comment (“Now what the hell ya suppose is eatin’ them two guys?”), which indicates his ignorance of the true events that have recently unfolded.