Lennie In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

Before you criticize an innocent human being, do you walk a mile in his shoes? Everyone has heard it at some point in their lives, and most would unconsciously agree that it is morally correct to do so. Unfortunately, some individuals do not understand how big of an impact this life lesson has on society and simply ignore the common proverb. The negative impacts of this decision are portrayed through John Steinbeck’s novel, Of Mice and Men. Lennie Small, a mentally handicapped individual, has challenges thrown at him throughout his short journey of life, making it even more painful to live. Lennie is a misunderstood, naive, poor, pathetic human being who gives much more than he receives, and is walked all over by all, even the one he trusts.
For instance, Lennie is misunderstood and is therefore treated unfairly as a result of his lack of maturity. Individuals might view Lennie as a violent, careless animal, yet they do not understand that he cannot care for himself properly or control
his actions. The moment George and Lennie arrived at their new job just south of Soledad, California, Curley, the farm owner’s son, tears into Lennie for not talking (Steinbeck 22). However, George ordered Lennie to remain silent in order to avoid trouble due to his lack of intelligence and good decisions (Steinbeck 15). Therefore, Lennie was not at fault and should not be punished. In addition to being misunderstood, Lennie only craves love, attention, and imagination, akin to most children. Images of his dream farm delightfully dance through his dull-witted mind every day with childlike wonder, and as the day comes to an end, his bedtime story of the farm peacefully puts him to sleep (Steinbeck 14). Because Lennie’s maturity level is that of a child’s, accidental trouble frequently occurs throughout the novel. Lennie does not have the capability to behave in an adult manner, and it is critical for others to understand his condition.
From the beginning to the end of Steinbeck’s novel, incidents caused by Lennie’s lack of intelligence and self-control illustrate a domino effect. These situations gradually escalate from minor complications to gruesome conflicts, one of which has no easy escape. The first problem is instigated by Curley; Lennie was attacked by Curley, and as Curley’s fighting progressed, Lennie was forced to use self-defense in order to stay alive. Although he tried to avoid conflict, when Lennie grabbed Curley’s fist, he could not let go (Steinbeck 63). This might be seen as a minor complication, but Lennie’s self-control issues dug him into a deeper hole toward the end of the novel. As Curley’s flirtatious wife enters the barn, she takes advantage of Lennie. Upon request to feel her hair, Curley’s wife got the attention she wanted, but that attention quickly ceased, along with her life, when Lennie could not let go (Steinbeck 91). Not only is there no easy escape for this; there simply is no escape at all.
The absence of George along with his excessive overprotective behavior was a major cause of Lennie killing Curley’s wife.
However, Lennie had to pay the consequences for George’s attributions towards her death. Due to George’s excessive overprotective behavior, trouble occurred the moment George left Lennie alone. Lennie made poor decisions, because he lacked experience in real world situations (Steinbeck 91). Instead of allowing Candy to disturbingly end Lennie’s life, George chooses to peacefully end his life, allowing Lennie to take his last few breaths by the deep green pool of the Salinas River (Steinbeck 106). Although George’s controlling actions played a major role in the death of Curley’s wife, Lennie was seen as the cruel murderer. George was trying to play the role as Lennie’s motherly figure; however, a mother would never allow her child to reach the point in life where they cannot take care of themselves on their own, just as George just as George allowed Lennie to
do.
Lennie was never able to “live off the fatta the land,” because of the unfair consequence he had to face for other individual’s mistakes, along with his naive behavior and lack of intellect. This was the last consequence he had to face, the consequence that ended his life. Individuals cannot see the contents inside a book by looking from the outside. An innocent man portrayed as a heartless murderer is actually a man whose love for others runs deeper than the darkest sea. A helpless man is murdered. Before you criticize an innocent human being, do you walk a mile in his shoes?