Of Mice And Men - Lennie and the Death of the Mice
By Daniel Warmsley “Of Mice And Men”, being a story about two men and their struggles, however never really going into detail of the mice in which were unjustly murdered. The mice slaughtered by Lennie were never really at fault for their actions. When being harshly petted by Lennie, the mice would only try to protect themselves, thus Lennie resorted to killing the mice in his own defence. These mice, being killed constantly by Lennie, were innocent victims sent to their predator by Lennie’s Aunt Clara. Did Aunt Clara consider the consequences that would later effect the mice? These mice may have had families of their own in which they would never return to. A mother mouse may have gathered food for the next meal only to see the father of her children never return. Of course it is better that she never see what had fatally happened that day. These mice, once caught by Aunt Clara, never had a chance. After capturing this poor, innocent, little creature, it was then released into the hands of Lennie. Is it the mice’s fault that they are so soft, and touchable? If only mice were more repugnant, hideous or gruesome they would have a chance of surviving. Maybe if these minute creatures were more passive, and did not try to protect themselves they would still be alive. However, how can one be sure of that? Perhaps Lennie would have petted the creature to a more powerful
Character Analysis - Devoted Lennie - Lennie Small - from John Steinbacks Of Mice and Men
CP English, Oct.5 Character Analysis Devoted Lennie Lennie Small, from John Steinbacks Of Mice and Men, is the least dynamic character, but also the star of this short but impacting novel. John Steinbacks conception of this novel is centered on Lennie's simplicity. Throughout the entire book, Lennie's personality and life seem based on three things: soft things, devotion to his protector (George) and his dream of one day owning a farm. Within the novel, Lennie shows no significant changes, development, or growth; yet is a favorite character by most readers. To start with, Lennie is protected. Lennie is protected by Slim, but mostly by George. Slim keeps Lennie from getting fired when Curley got his hand "caught in a machine" (64). Lennie is also protected by George; as friends they stick together, "I got you. We got each other" (104) and as friends they contribute all they can. George protects Lennie from many things; but is most remembered for protecting Lennie from being killed painfully by Curley. Candy's regret that he didn't kill his dog himself, foreshadows George's decision to shoot Lennie before Curley gets to him first. Also, Lennie is devoted. Devoted to the rabbits, and devoted to George. The rabbits are an important part of the novel. The rabbits are Georges way of keeping Lennie from getting into any trouble. George often reminds Lennie that he "...aint
Of Mice And Men : The relationship between Lennie and George
Of Mice And Men : The relationship between Lennie and George Of Mice and Men is a novel written by Nobel Prize-winning author John Steinbeck. Published in 1937, it tells the tragic story of George Milton and Lennie Small, two displaced migrant ranch workers during the Great Depression in California. Based on Steinbeck's own experiences as a bindlestiff in the 1920s, the title is taken from Robert Burns's poem, To a Mouse, which read: "The best laid schemes o' mice an' men / Gang aft agley."As the novel is revolved around the two characters, one of the things that stand out the most is the relationship both the characters share with each other and how it appears to be of a strong bond, even with the obstacles that gets thrown their way. Their connection is of many different kinds and I shall list in detail a few of the many types of friendship that they share. One of the first things that strikes out about their relationship is the fact that in almost every way, George Milton and Lennie Small are exactly the opposite. Firstly, Lennie is the bigger of the two yet George has the brains and is much much cleverer than Lennie. George, in the novel, is referred to as "Small and quick, dark of face, with restless eyes and sharp, strong features... Small strong hands, slender arms and a thin and boney nose." The word "small" is used often to describe him and his features. Whereas
'Of Mice and Men' - Why did George shoot Lennie?
'Of Mice and Men' - Why did George shoot Lennie? In the novel of 'Of Mice and Men' George and Lennie are best friends, however at the end of the story George shoots Lennie in the back of the head. In this essay I will be discussing George's motivations for this action. There are two acts of euthanasia in the story, the killing of Candy's old dog and shooting Lennie. George only takes part in the second. Lennie's death is parallel to the shooting of Candy's dog. Both Lennie and candy's dog are killed because they would suffer and can not look after themselves. When Candy's dog is killed by Carlson, Carlson says to Candy 'you aint being kind to him ... the way I'd shoot him, he wouldn't feel nothing', by doing this he is putting him out of his misery, saving him from a worse fate. Candy says 'I ought to have shot that dog myself... I shouldn't have let a stranger shoot my dog'. This sticks in George's mind. As George and Lennie are best friends George feels he owes Lennie that; he doesn't want a stranger to shoot him he wants Lennie to die happy and not scared. George feels he is responsible for Lennie's actions and realises that killing Curly's wife is far more serious than any of Lennie's previous actions. He realises that he can't control Lennie despite his constant warnings and telling him how to behave. George feels guilty that he didn't prevent this happening, he
Lennie and George - Character study from Of Mice and Men
Of mice and men Samantha Foylan Two characters in the novel 'Of mice and men' who have particular problems in their lives are Lennie and George. John Steinbeck writes the novel. The novel is set in North California during the harsh depression years of 1930's America. There are several themes in the novel. For example: the loyalty that exists between George and Lennie; the hostile economic environment of America during the period in which the novel is set; the loneliness and isolation which each character experiences; and the dream of a better life. Two migrant agricultural labourers, George Milton and Lennie Small, start work at a ranch in Northern California, having left their previous jobs in a hurry, following accusations of attempted rape against the larger of the two men. It is George and Lennie's dream to save up enough money to buy a ranch. The unusual nature of George and Lennie's relationship raises suspicions amongst the other ranch hands, including the boss's son Curly. He is a bully and an ex-boxer and almost immediately provokes a fight with Lennie. Lennie is involved in a tragedy with Curly's wife when they are alone in the barn together. From this point in the story the action moves quickly to its final climax where George is faced with the dilemma of how to save Lennie from a lynch mob lead by the vengeful Curly. Out of the two characters the one I feel the
Relationship between George and Lennie in Of Mice of Men
Discuss the Relationship between George and Lennie in the book "Mice of Men" The novel, "Of Mice of Men" portrays the deep relationship of George and Lennie. As the book progresses, the reader plunges deeper into their relationship. The curiosity of George and Lennie friendship is intriguing for the reader and is very thought-provoking for the reader as it very complex and full of twists and turns. Undoubtedly, George has come to like Lennie and feels a sense of duty and responsibility towards him. Lennie needs George, but it is equally true that George needs Lennie as well. George was also a harsh, mean and derogatory to Lennie, however, it is also very evident that George never left Lennie despite his life would have mean much easier without him. Lennie is George's hardship, but George loves him regardless. Since the death of Lennie's Aunt Clara, George took it upon himself to take responsibility of him and his special needs by finding him jobs, feeding him, and making sure he is safe. Their mutual dependence on one another is what keeps George and Lennie together. Lennie stays with George because he has no other option. His only family, his aunt, has passed away, and he has the mind of a very young child. He would not be able to survive on his own: it is because of George that he is able to find work, and it is George who ultimately cares for him. George stays with
Of Mice and Men. The relationship of George and Lennie.
Of Mice and Men The novel begins near the Salinas River, south of Soledad, in the California Valley. A path leads to the banks of the river, and the two migrant workers, George Milton and Lennie Small follow this path to the river. They are on their way to a job at a nearby ranch, and their ride has left them several miles away. It is hot and they are tired from the walk so they rested in a clearing by the river where they drank some water and stayed for the night. George can see the reality of being a ranch-hand as he said "Guys like us that work on ranches are the loneliest guys in the world." This is because ranch hands don't have any family. They don't belong to a place; they don't have a fixed home; they just come to a ranch and work. They got nothing to look ahead to. The quotation gives the thought that loneliness is one of the ideas in the novel. And most of the people that George and Lennie met the next day are lonely. George and Lennie have a dream and this is to own their own ranch which is commonly known as the American Dream. They will have a house, a couple of acres; they will have rabbits, chickens, pigs and other livestock's; they will have a garden with a big vegetable patch and live off the fat on the land. The loneliness makes both George and Lennie have a dream that motivates them to work. In the novel they are met by different characters on the farm
George and Lennie in, “Of Men and Mice”
George and Lennie in, "Of Men and Mice" George and Lennie are the two main characters in this book. They look after one another and stick together. I think that that itself is quite strange as they are both completely the opposite to each other. Lennie is very dependant on George and probably wouldn't be able to survive without him; he certainly wouldn't be able to get himself out of trouble. But George is much more Independent than Lennie. George is also quite bossy, like a parent but is responsible and practical too. He acts like a parent to Lennie sometimes: "Lennie! Lennie for Gods sake don't drink so much." He often tells Lennie what to do like this example. But he is forced to because of Lennie child like behaviour and sense. Lennie very much in his actions and words reflects the personality of a young child. This is sometimes quite admiring and amusing, "You drink some Lennie, take a good big drink" he smiled happily." He is also described in a way that a child would be, by saying, "he smiled happily" Even though Lennie annoys George, George still cares for Lennie. An example of this is when George warns Lennie about drinking the water. This also reflects his intelligence. Which he definitely seems when he's described with Lennie because Lennie really does lack intelligence. Lennie ignores the warning showing his shortage in common sense. We find out that George
How Slim, Lennie and Curly are presented in OF MICE AND MEN
Explain how the writer presents the character Slim in this extract. Slim was one of the most unique characters in the novella; ‘Of Mice and Men’. Without Slim, John Steinbeck's book would not have had the same effect. He gave the book the idea of a hero. Slim was caring, understanding, and a great leader. His best characteristic being was how he always thought of others including Lennie, for example when he was concerned for Lennie’s fright when Lennie crushed Curley’s hand. The extract shows when George and Lennie first meet Slim in the novella. Steinbeck goes into a very detailed description of him and presents him in a beautiful manner; “His hands, large and lean, were as delicate in their action as those of a temple dancer.” By describing him like that, it shows the gentle side of him that is respected on the ranch and from understanding that he can seem ‘delicate’, we can understand why George can feel comfortable around him and tell him things he hadn’t told anyone else. Throughout the beginning of this extract, he is constantly being described as ‘gentle’, ‘delicate’, as looking at people ‘kindly’, this shows how Steinbeck wants us to see Slim as a man to be respected and liked, as a man who represents the people who stayed positive through the 1930’s. Yet the first thing he says is “It’s brighter’n a bitch outside”; although
How Does Steinbeck present the character of Lennie in Of Mice and Men?
How does Steinbeck present the character Lennie in Of Mice and Men? In Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck presents Lennie as a childlike character who relies on George. Although the reader quickly learns that Lennie "ain't smart," the reader also learns later in the novel that "he's a God damn good worker." Lennie, just like many itinerant farm workers from 1930s America, wants to achieve the American dream and "tend the rabbits." When we are first introduced to Lennie in Section One of the novel, we learn that Lennie is both strong but, at the same time, unintelligent. Steinbeck refers to Lennie as "a bear." A bear is an animal which has a lot of strength. This characteristic of a bear is one of the characteristics that Lennie has: strength. However, most bears are unsure of when to use that strength. This shows us that Lennie, in addition to having a lot of strength, is unintelligent. This makes the reader feel slightly uneasy as it hints that Lennie may use his strength unwisely later in the novel. Steinbeck also presents Lennie as being childlike. Lennie looks "timidly" at George when George is in a bad mood, and Lennie asks a lot of questions. When a parent is in a bad mood, a child tends to be scared to approach that parent because of fear at being shouted at. This is why Lennie looks "timidly" at George-because he is scared that he will be shouted at, just like a child. In
