How is influential power hilighted in of Of Mice and Men?connotations and metaphorical representations

The metaphorical title of John Steinbeck's novel is
pivotal to the expression of power that wields its influence upon the lives of
characters such as Candy, George, and Lennie.  Like a mouse, George Milton
is

"small and
quick, dark of face, with restless eyes and sharp strong features. Every part of him was
defined: small, strong hands, slender arms, a thin and bony
nose."

The most complex of
the characters in Of Mice and Men, George is exerts his
intelligence, and he has ambitions.  However, his "best laid plans go awry" because the
forces of social power, represented by Curley, interfere.  Curley, the boss's son, who
intrudes into the fraternity of men in the bunkhouse with his soft gloved hand that
he need not use exerts his influence.  In an attempt to show his authority, he takes a
swing at Lennie; however, Lennie, in deterring Curley from hitting him, has such force
in his grip that he crushes Curley's hand.  This act of Lennie's results in bitter
hatred on Curley's part, so when Lennie gets into trouble, Curley has all the more
reason to try to kill Lennie.

Another type of influential
power that is exerted in Steinbeck's novella is spiritual.  This power is represented by
Slim, who with his "god-like eyes" sees much as George and he play cards; he also "hears
more than what is being said." For instance, while he sympathizes with
Candy, understanding his love for the old dog, Slim tells Candy that the dog has come to
the end--much like old Candy himself.  With his "calm eyes," Slim offers him one of his
pups to take its place.  And, since "Slim's opinions were law," Carlson, who is a
mechanic with the coldness of steel in his heart, takes the old dog out and shoots it,
an action that becomes of metaphor of Lennie's end.

The
powers of materialism represented by Carlson the cold, brutal mechanic whose
pistol overpowers the sensitive such as Candy and Lennie destroys George and
Lennie's American dream of having a place of their own.  There is little that the
spiritual power found in Slim can do other than offer sympathy to George whose well-laid
plans go awry. He says,  "You hadda, George.  I swear you hadda" while the mechanical,
insensitive Carlson asks, "Now what the hell you suppose is eating them two
guys?"