In Chapter Two, Lennie sensed that the ranch is not a safe place for them. Chapter Three brings that prophesy to light with a number of occurrences that are dark and violent. The death of Candy's dog and the crushing of Curley's hand are situations that have repercussions later. These dark images are balanced with Lennie's happiness in securing a puppy and the promise of being able to finally get their dream farm. Rather than alleviating the sense of foreboding, this juxtaposition of dark scenes with scenes full of promise serves to increase the reader's apprehension. The chapter ends with Curley's crushed hand and Lennie's (and George's) claims that Lennie didn't mean to hurt anyone, foreshadowing later events.
George and Lennie's relationship is further developed by Steinbeck in George's discussion with Slim. George makes his need for Lennie clear when he tells Slim about the incident at the river. George says, "… he'll do any damn thing I [tell him to do.]" Here the reader sees that George enjoys the opportunity to not only give Lennie advice, but also to be in charge. Lennie gives George stature. But now George uses that power carefully; he respects the fact that Lennie is not mean and would never intentionally hurt anyone. What George does not seem to realize is how dangerous Lennie's strength can be, a danger that Steinbeck makes clear when Lennie crushes Curley's hand.
Whit, a minor character, becomes important in this scene because he shows the life of a ranch hand when he isn't busy at his job. Whit reads pulp magazines, plays cards, and goes to Clara's or Susy's house on the weekend. He simply lives for today with no thought for his future and no concern for saving money, illustrating Steinbeck's point that sometimes our best intentions can be hurt by the human need for instant gratification or relief from the boredom.
