The first, being Lennie’s nature. Lennie is an incredibly strong man, however, he seems to be a ‘child trapped in mans body’. This is because he is constantly petting, and stocking things that only a child would pet:
“Lennie reluctantly reached into his pocket… ‘I don’t know why I can’t keep it… I wasn’t doin’ nothing bad with it, George. Jus’ stroking it.’”
Society is intolerant of Lennie and his nature. He is different and not understood, and thus society has no place for him. This is shown in chapter four, when the other ranch workers have gone out to a whorehouse, they have left the ‘rejects’ (Lennie, Crooks, Curly, and Candy’s Wife):
“‘Ever’body went into town,’ he said, ‘Slim an’ George an’ ever’body. George says I gotta say here an’ not get into no trouble…’”
The second factor to lead to Lennie’s death, are Curley’s wife character, and her nature. This shows isolation, as she has no friends on the ranch, and even her husband owns her, as she is only known as Curley’s Wife. She seeks attention, through appearing in the bunkhouse:
“Both men glanced up for the rectangle of sunshine in the doorway was cut off.”
Curley’s wife is attracted to Lennie’s petting tendencies, showing she is soft, and although jailbait, is also purity:
“Curley’s wife laughed at him. ‘ You’re nuts,’ she said. ‘But you’re a kinda nice fella.’”
The structure of the novella is also very fateful for Lennie. The incident in Weed took place early on in the novella. This is because this was the reason for George and Lennie had to move to Salinas. The relationship with George highlights precarious position for Lennie – he has no place in society. From the very beginning in fact, the very title of the novella symbolises doom for Lennie. Burns’ poem, is about is a bout a mouse, who’s home is ruined by a farmer ploughing a field. The mouse then dies over the winter, having no protection. This is a literary allusion, as Burn’s mouse parallels George and Lennie’s dream, which inevitably will never be achieved. This also reflects Lennie’s life, as inevitably, he will die, and this is also implied through details and events throughout the novella.
In conclusion, I feel that the main factor that led to Lennie’s was in fact Steinbeck’s fundamental message. Also, intolerance, and misunderstanding in society did not help Lennie, as he has been given no place, and people don’t know how to treat Lennie, as he is so misunderstood.
The structure, also lead to Lennie’s death. We see his death as inevitable, due to the main title of the novella, and also how it is organised. Lennie’s death was not unexpected, especially when we have read the last chapter, with Lennie’s visions. The giant rabbit tells us that Lennie has done wrong, and that he will be punished for it, by not having George and his dream ranch, and him tending the rabbits. These factors all point, very obviously throughout the novel, so I believe that that it was too predictable.
