Lennie Character Analysis
Regardless to the fact Lennie is considered one of the principle characters in ‘Of Mice and Men’, he is arguably the least exciting. Throughout the novel he seems to be the same person as on the first pages, enduring no development, growth or significant changes. His character is very simple, in most scenes he is in, it is reinforced that he is very strong, he enjoys petting soft things and is devoted to George and the American Dream, that he and George will someday own a farm. It is this simplicity and helplessness in everyday life that earns the readers sympathy, and also forms the idea in the reader’s mind that Lennie is doomed. The powerful impact is created by the inevitability of Lennie’s death, so the reader’s sympathy and understanding
…show more content…
Also describing his eyes as ‘pale’ could be indicative of the knowledge behind them, or more accurately the lack thereof. Suggesting that in reality he has a tendency to be absent-minded. Within this description of Lennie, we come across the first piece of animal imagery, where Steinbeck presents Lennie as a bear who ‘drags his paws’. Using the verb ‘drags’ gives connotations to slowness, and could be suggestive of Lennie’s slowness, both physically and mentally. Lennie also has other similarities with bears, they are conceived as dangerous, yet they only become so when they feel threatened, in self-defence. As is true when Lennie attacks Curley, here Steinbeck is subtly foreshadowing this event. After being described as a bear, he is later described as a horse ‘snorting into the water’. This can again tell us a few things about Lennie. It could be suggestive of his relationship with George, and how Lennie, as the horse is able to be controlled by his owner. It also reinforces his strength and power, and how it is only utilized when he feels vulnerable. The use of the verb ‘snorting’ shows hurriedness in his actions, but also could be referring to the way he acts from instincts rather than acting from intelligence. Later in the chapter Steinbeck uses a simile to describe Lennie as a ‘terrier who doesn’t want to bring a ball to his master’ that again talks of George’s control over Lennie, speaking of him as a ‘master’. The phrase also alludes to Lennie’s subservience to George, and indicates the lack of control he has over his own
Also describing his eyes as ‘pale’ could be indicative of the knowledge behind them, or more accurately the lack thereof. Suggesting that in reality he has a tendency to be absent-minded. Within this description of Lennie, we come across the first piece of animal imagery, where Steinbeck presents Lennie as a bear who ‘drags his paws’. Using the verb ‘drags’ gives connotations to slowness, and could be suggestive of Lennie’s slowness, both physically and mentally. Lennie also has other similarities with bears, they are conceived as dangerous, yet they only become so when they feel threatened, in self-defence. As is true when Lennie attacks Curley, here Steinbeck is subtly foreshadowing this event. After being described as a bear, he is later described as a horse ‘snorting into the water’. This can again tell us a few things about Lennie. It could be suggestive of his relationship with George, and how Lennie, as the horse is able to be controlled by his owner. It also reinforces his strength and power, and how it is only utilized when he feels vulnerable. The use of the verb ‘snorting’ shows hurriedness in his actions, but also could be referring to the way he acts from instincts rather than acting from intelligence. Later in the chapter Steinbeck uses a simile to describe Lennie as a ‘terrier who doesn’t want to bring a ball to his master’ that again talks of George’s control over Lennie, speaking of him as a ‘master’. The phrase also alludes to Lennie’s subservience to George, and indicates the lack of control he has over his own