Symbolism in Candy's Dog

In the very last paragraph of part two of Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck uses a dog to show symbolism. The dog belongs to Candy, an old rancher who absolutely adores it and has had it for forever. The dog though, is probably living its last couple days, "a drag-footed sheep dog, gray of muzzle, and with pale, blind old eyes. The dog struggled lamely to the side of the room and laid down... licking his grizzled, moth-eaten coat." Candy and that dog are like two peas in a pod. It follows him everywhere and they have both grown old together.

When Curley walks in after trying to intimidate George and Lennie, he even tries to intimidate the dog, "The dog raised his head, but when Curley jerked out, the grizzled head sank to the floor again." This dog symbolizes the despondence all the ranchers feel. The dog isn't even going to try to fight back against Curley. It also shows how dejected and sad bullying can make people feel. Curley attacks people just because they are big or, as Sophie said, if he thinks that his wife might find an interest in them.