Describe the character of Lennie.

Authors Avatar by mifthaus_salehin (student)

‘Of Mice and Men’ is a novel written by the American author John Steinbeck and was published in 1937.  It is set in the Great Depression of the 1930’s in the USA, and is based upon Steinbeck’s own experiences of wandering around the country during that time trying to find part-time work.  It is a short story which focuses upon the relationship between its two central characters George Milton and Lennie Small, who travel around together.  The relationship between this ill-matched couple is the key to the story.  This essay concentrates upon the character and personality of one of couple, the ironically-named Lennie Small.

When Lennie Small is first introduced at the start of the story, emerging from bushes, he is described as “a huge man, shapeless of face, with large, pale eyes, with wide, sloping shoulders” who walks “heavily, dragging his feet a little, the way a bear drags his paws”.  He is the most interesting character in the novel because he physically differs from the other characters in many ways, being large, lumbering and clumsy - in many ways the opposite of George Milton, who is described as being “small, and quick, dark of face, with restless eyes and sharp, strong features” and with “slender arms, a thin and bony nose”.  Lennie is compared to various animals in the story, for example he shuffles his feet when he walks “the way a bear drags his paws” and he drinks water “with long gulps, snorting into the water like a horse”.  Furthermore, his large hands are often described as ‘paws’ and he is praised by George as being “strong as a bull”.

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Despite being physically over-developed he is mentally under-developed. “I was only fooling, George I don’t want no ketchup…I would leave it all for you...”  This shows that he has the brain and personality of a child.  This contrast between the developments of his body compared with his mind is the key to the story and, ultimately, the cause of the tragedy.  Because of his mental and emotionally limitations, his characteristics and behaviour are child-like. “Lennie, who had been watching, imitated George exactly. He pushed himself back, drew up his knees, embraced them, looked over to George…He pulled his hat down ...

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