Throughout the novella ‘Of Mice and Men’ various themes are explored, a main theme noticed throughout the novella is authority.

The boss is one of many characters who have authority on the ranch because he owns the ranch and is the employer. Authority within the boss is shown when he questions George “what stake you got in this guy?” this shows authority because the boss can question who he wants if he notices any suspicions because it’s his ranch The boss also shows he has authority when Steinbeck says “he wore high-heeled boots” this is a symbol of authority, by wearing high-heeled boots it proves that he is not a labouring man because he is the owner of the ranch. Another reason high-heeled boots may show significant authority is because they make him taller, which makes him higher than the average migrant worker.

Curley also appears to show authority but he lacks respect for the men. Curley does not have natural authority because he is the boss’ son this is the only reason Curley gains authority. The men on the ranch only put up with him because he is the boss’ son, he also tries to fight bigger men “he hates bigger guys” curly likes to fight with bigger guys to gain respect but it makes the others dislike him even more.

Throughout the book many things are used to symbolise authority. A main symbol noticed is that the boss and Curly wear high-heeled boots this gives a sense of authority because it shows that neither of them are labouring men, and the heel gives height to them making them think that they are higher than the average migrant worker. Although the boss and Curly wear high-heeled boots to show their authority, slim does not. Slim doesn’t need to wear high heeled boots because he has natural authority “prince of the ranch” everyone on the ranch respects Slim naturally.

Slim is one of the main men with authority on the ranch he has natural