Slim as a character in John Steinbeck's’ “Of Mice and Men” is one whose words are the law, for he is a man of assertiveness in the story, yet still retaining a collective and rational mentality with the individuals he works with. His rationalism is shown upon the introduction of him to the readers, as Steinbeck writes; “His ear heard more than was said to him, and his slow speech had overtones not of thought, but of understanding beyond thought.” He is open to George and Lennie’s story about traveling and how George confessed to having messed around with Lennie’s mental retardation, but also “real”; he speaks his thoughts in respectful manner. Yet, he still retains assertiveness through characters like the aggressive Curley; ensuring that readers know he seems to base his interactions with others off of “treat unto others the way one seeks to be treated”. This is very much exemplified when Slim tells Curley “I’m gettin’ God damn sick of it. If you can’t look after your own God damn wife, what you expect me to do about it? You lay offa me.” (note that this is when Curley confronts Slim regarding the whereabouts of his wife and prior to when Curley starts attacking Lennie). Though he maintains a calm demeanor in his regular state, he is more than willing to make sure that one should not be “fooled” by it; certainly something he made clear in that near-hostile interaction. He is consistent in being a reasonable individual in the book.
    Such reasonability is further shown during Slim’s interaction with Lennie and George’s story prior to them coming to the ranch. Proceeding George’s explanation as to why they left Weed and arrived near the Soledad River, Slim says “He ain't mean, I can tell a mean guy a mile off.” He understands that Lennie’s mental state has somewhat affected him. Paired with his strength, he can see how Lennie is not the kind of individual that would deliberately do such actions. Slim also states “He’s a nice fella, guy don’t need no sense to be a nice fella.” His sincerity is clear and genuine towards George as they discussed Lennie. Slim’s character; it’s a type that many people in the ranch admire, and, in Curley’s case, may become jealous of.