How does Steinbeck present Lennie during in this incident?

Of Mice and Men

In Of Mice and Men, written by John Steinbeck, the character Lennie is mentally deficient and doesn’t understand the reality of things.

Steinbeck presents Lennie in a child like way by showing all he really cares about is “tending the rabbits”. George - who is Lennie’s companion – has to give instructions to Lennie for him to understand what to do; this shows Lennie is child like, as a fully grown man would automatically retaliate to been hit, but Lennie is told by George to ”get him”. For example on page sixty-nine George says “Get him, Lennie…” and he tells Lennie three times to “get ‘im” this also shows Lennie didn’t mean to bust Curley’s hand.

Lennie is described in animal terms all the way through the book, “his huge paws” on page sixty-nine is describing he has large hands. When George tells Lennie to get Curley, he doesn’t hit or kick Curley, he protects himself by stopping Curley’s hand mid swing. Lennie doesn’t realise his strength, he doesn’t realise he could hurt someone without putting in an effort to do so. Lennie holds tight and doesn’t let go until “George slapped him”.

“Lennie watched in terror” shows Lennie is scared but he can’t let go as he is panicking, as would a young child. ...