Lennie
Character Analysis
Lennie Small, George’s companion and fellow migrant laborer, is not “small” at all. Lennie’s ironic last name highlights how the two main protagonists, Lennie and George, represent a study in contrasts. While George is small and shrewd, Lennie is a “huge man, shapeless of face, with large, pale eyes, and wide, sloping shoulders.” He resembles a “bear” who “drags his paws” and “his feet a little.” George and the other laborers frequently remark on Lennie’s formidable strength. Many compare him to a bull, and Slim states that he has “never seen such a worker… such a strong guy.” He remarks, “ain’t nobody can keep up with him.”
Although Lennie may be the strongest man on the farm, he “ain’t no fighter,” as George states. Lennie is stronger and more powerful than even he realizes, and he often accidentally kills the rabbits and mice whose soft fur he likes to pet. Although never explicitly mentioned, readers may infer that Lennie has an intellectual disability. He is often described as childlike, and he requires George’s assistance to obtain jobs. Lennie also values George’s companionship because George shares his dream of living “on the fatta the lan’” with his beloved rabbits.
Lennie gets into trouble when others perceive his huge stature as menacing. Lennie may be large and physically intimidating, but he is kind and innocent by nature. He never means to hurt animals or anyone, but his incredible strength and mental limitations often unintentionally result in violence. At George and Lennie’s previous job in Weed, which they had to flee from, Lennie was accused of raping a woman after he forcibly rubbed her dress. At their current job in the Salinas Valley, Lennie’s innocent actions result in violence and death. When Curley instigates a fight, Lennie refrains from fighting back until George orders him to retaliate; when Lennie becomes enamored with Curley’s wife’s soft hair, he loses control of his faculties and accidentally kills her.
Although to many characters Lennie comes across as mentally impaired, the more perceptive and empathetic characters, like George and Slim, recognize that Lennie is simply incapable of expressing himself in conventional ways. He may not speak in the most eloquent manner, but he is still capable of thinking and dreaming. In the final moments of the story, when Lennie flees the ranch, Lennie has a series of visions of his Aunt Clara and a speaking rabbit. Through these visions, Lennie is finally capable of expression: he communicates his desires to live on his own plot of land and he conveys that he feels unworthy of George’s unwavering companionship. As Steinbeck once wrote, Lennie demonstrates the inability to articulate the “powerful yearning of all men.” He fails to express his dreams partly because he is never taken seriously by the other men in the story. He simply does not fit into this society—his brute strength and mental limitations come across as threatening, and his unintentional violence results in several deaths, including his own.
Expert Q&A
What quotes in Of Mice and Men show Lennie is mentally challenged?
One quote that shows Lennie's simple-mindedness in Of Mice and Men is his response to Curley's wife when she asks why Lennie is so "nuts" about rabbits. Rather than describe to her the qualities that are more unique to rabbits, he tells her, "I like to pet nice things. Once at a fair I seen some of them long-hair rabbits. An' they was nice, you bet. Sometimes I've even pet mice, but not when I could get nothing better."
What action of Lennie's in Weed caused him and George to flee?
Lennie and George fled Weed because Lennie, drawn to soft things, tried to touch a girl's red dress, causing her to scream. Panicked, Lennie held on tighter, leading the girl to accuse him of attempted rape. This misunderstanding prompted the townspeople to form a lynch mob. George and Lennie hid in an irrigation ditch before escaping. This incident foreshadows Lennie's later actions with Curley's wife in Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men.
In Of Mice and Men, what is the significance of the incident between Lennie and the girl in the red dress in Weed?
The incident in Weed highlights Lennie's dangerous lack of understanding of his own strength and sexual impulses, as he is drawn to soft things but doesn't comprehend the consequences of his actions. This foreshadows his later fatal encounter with Curley's wife, underlining his inability to control his impulses. The red dress incident also symbolizes a recurring theme of Lennie's attraction to seductive women, which ultimately leads to tragic outcomes.
In Of Mice and Men, how does Lennie represent "the inarticulate and powerful yearning of all men"?
In Of Mice and Men, Lennie represents "the inarticulate and powerful yearning of all men" through his deep, yet simple desires for affection, belonging, and security. Despite his mental limitations, Lennie's dreams of a safe home and living "off the fat of the land" symbolize the universal human quest for freedom, fulfillment, and dignity, especially amidst the despair of the Great Depression.
What caused the fight in which Lennie broke Curley's hand?
The fight began when Curley, agitated after failing to intimidate Slim over suspicions about his wife, saw Lennie smiling while others mocked him. Misinterpreting Lennie's smile as mockery, Curley attacked him, targeting Lennie as an easy victim to restore his pride. Initially reluctant, Lennie fought back only after George's urging, resulting in Lennie crushing Curley's hand. Curley's anger and need to assert dominance led to the confrontation.
What are Lennie's thoughts and actions after killing Curley's wife?
After accidentally killing Curley's wife, Lennie is primarily concerned about George's reaction. He recalls George's instructions to hide by the river. Lennie acknowledges his wrongdoing, thinking, "I done a real bad thing," and worries about George's anger. At the hiding spot, he hallucinates his Aunt Clara and a giant rabbit, both chastising him. Despite feeling guilty, Lennie's concern is limited to George's disappointment, not the gravity of his actions. Ultimately, George ends Lennie's life peacefully.
In Of Mice and Men, why does Lennie tell George he wouldn't eat any ketchup?
Lennie tells George he wouldn't eat any ketchup to show his remorse and devotion. After George's frustrated rant about Lennie's constant mistakes and burdens, Lennie, feeling guilty, offers to give up something he loves as a gesture of apology and loyalty. This reflects Lennie's childlike desire to appease George and maintain their bond.
How does Steinbeck portray Lennie's animal-like qualities in Of Mice and Men?
Steinbeck portrays Lennie's animal-like qualities through direct descriptions and motifs associating him with animals like bears and dogs. Lennie is depicted as dragging his feet like a bear and acting obediently but instinctively, similar to a terrier. These descriptions emphasize his lack of intelligence and reliance on George. Lennie's animalism symbolizes his impulsive nature, contrasting with George's social aspirations, and highlights his disconnection from human morality and social norms.
What are Lennie's internal and external conflicts in "Of Mice and Men"?
Lennie faces both internal and external conflicts. Internally, his childlike innocence and mental handicap clash with his desires to please George and live peacefully, yet he struggles to control his strength, especially when nervous. Externally, his physical power makes him a valuable worker but also leads to unintentional harm, like killing small animals and, tragically, Curley's wife. People often mistrust him due to his size and mental state, compounding his isolation.
Did Lennie kill a girl in Weed in Of Mice and Men?
Lennie did not kill a girl in Weed, but he did cause a serious incident. Lennie wanted to touch the girl's dress, leading her to believe he was attacking her. This misunderstanding forced George and Lennie to flee, as they were pursued by men from the town. George's reaction to Lennie's later actions indicates that if Lennie had killed before, George would have acted differently in Weed.
Did Lennie's killing of Curley's wife or his death destroy his and George's dream?
Lennie's dream, along with George's, was effectively doomed before Lennie killed Curley's wife due to the unrealistic nature of their aspirations. While Lennie's dream persisted as an illusion until his death, George's belief in their dream likely ended with Curley's wife's death, as he understood the gravity of Lennie's actions. Ultimately, the dream was unattainable and ended definitively with the events surrounding Curley's wife's death.
What action does Lennie take with the water, in Of Mice and Men, that makes him proud?
Lennie takes pride in creating ripples in the water by wiggling his fingers, causing rings to widen and return to him. This simple action, which he eagerly shows to George, highlights Lennie's childlike innocence and his ability to be easily entertained. It also underscores his lack of awareness about potential dangers, such as drinking unsafe water, and emphasizes George's role as his caretaker.
How is Lennie in Of Mice and Men described using animal imagery?
Lennie is described using animal imagery to highlight his simplicity and strength. He is likened to a bear, with his heavy, dragging walk, and a horse, with his powerful, unrestrained drinking. These comparisons emphasize his physical power and mental simplicity. Additionally, Lennie is compared to a dog, obedient yet dependent on George's guidance. These animalistic traits underline Lennie's inability to control his actions, leading to tragic consequences.
What were Lennie's comments about Curley's wife in "Of Mice and Men"?
In Of Mice and Men, Lennie initially comments that Curley's wife is "purty," prompting George to warn him to avoid her. Later, in the barn, Lennie tells her he can't talk because "George says you'll get us in a mess." Despite the warning, he starts stroking her hair at her invitation, leading to a tragic accident where he accidentally breaks her neck after she screams.
What are the physical descriptions Lennie and George in Of Mice and Men?
In Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck contrasts Lennie and George through their physical descriptions and roles. Lennie is depicted as a large, lumbering man with a shapeless face, resembling a bear or Frankenstein's monster. George, in contrast, is small, quick, and sharply defined, symbolizing the brains of their partnership. Despite their differences, they wear similar clothes, highlighting their unity as Depression-era migrant workers. George leads strategically, while emotionally relying on Lennie's companionship.
Get Ahead with eNotes
Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.
Already a member? Log in here.
