Mental Impairment In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

“George said, ‘Guys like us got no fambly. They make a little stake an’ then they blow it in. They ain’t got nobody in the worl’ that gives a hoot in hell about ’em--’ ‘But not us,’ Lennie cried happily. ‘Tell about us now.’ George was quiet for a moment. ‘But not us,’ he said. ‘Because--’ ‘Because I got you an’--’ ‘An; I got you. We got each other, that’s what, that gives a hoot in hell about us,’ Lennie cried in triumph. In the novel “Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck, we learn a lot about the characters, Lennie, Candy, Curley, and more. Several of the characters in this book display physical and mental impairments, which influence and reflect their roles in this novel. To start, one character has a mental impairment. His name is Lennie Small, a strong, big, wonderful worker, and sensitive guy. Lennie is also mentally challenged. His disability reflects on his roles in the novel because he is accidentally, but continuously, messing up. George’s commands towards Lennie are like an owner commanding their dog. “The boss pointed a playful finger at Lennie. ‘He ain't much of a talker, is he?’ ‘No, he ain't, but he's sure a hell of a good worker. Strong as a bull.’ Lennie smiled to himself. ‘Strong as
He is a handyman at the ranch where George and Lennie find jobs. Candy’s sentimental companionship with his stinky, old dog is similar to Lennie’s relationship with dogs. Due to an accident on the ranch, he is left with only one hand. He is old, but feels useless because he worries that he will be disposed like his old dog since he thinks he can no longer be useful in the fields after losing his hand. His impairments influence his roles in the novel because feels worthless. For example, he lets Carlson talk bad about his dog and lets him kill his dog and later regrets not killing it himself so he could put the dog to peace. He asks George and Lennie if he could move in with them before he dies and he will use his life savings to buy the