Of Mice and Men

In what ways do the characters react to their physical, ecological circumstances?  Are their fates deterministic or do they have free will?

Lennie's fate is sealed from the beginning. You know from the time you're introduced to him that it's just a matter of time before he goes too far. Many of my students are surprised that George must shoot him in the end, but they aren't shocked when he accidentally kills Curley's wife. Because Lennie's fate is sealed, so is George's. I think George recognizes it in the recesses of his mind, but he tries to keep it embedded, hoping that their dream can come true.

One of the things that makes this work tragic is that Lennie and George (and all the rest have complete free will…and it doesn't matter. Lennie's free will is limited by his capacity, and by his literal strength. He chooses everything he does, and freely, and it doesn't matter. He can't understand things, and he isn't sharp enough to realize he's killing. So, while he does interact with this environment, it almost doesn't matter; it is the site of his personal tragedy. It would always have happened.

Greg

Greg, I agree.  But I would also argue that, despite the fatalistic ending, Steinbeck is encouraging free will.  He is encouraging the continued struggle against the trappings of society, as demonstrated by Candy and George.  It is the bitter characters who fail to be sympathetic in the story - the dreamers get the edge.