Leading up to their dream Steinbeck builds up a clear image to who Lennie and George are. Immediately the main point is made to us that George is an intelligent, curious man who is portrayed as a motherly character who looks after Lennie and shows him what to do. Lennie is portrayed as the complete opposite as he is compared to a horse (huge, powerful) and a bear (massive, powerful, clumsy and potentially aggressive/protective). His huge size and strength combined with his slow mind and a lack of understanding of his own strength is a recipe for disaster.
In the extract we are informed again and again that mentally Lennie lacks but physically he doesn’t even know his own strength. The two characters have a very close relationship as one looks out for the other, they both care for each other. George is always trying to do what is best for Lennie and after arguing with him he comforts him as Lennie is sobbing. Lennie depends on George and vice versa, George navigates and works out what to do whilst Lennie protects George with his awesome strength. Lennie is he portrayed as childish as he ‘whimpers’ and George reacts to this as he notices and comforts him. George demonstrates his intellectual mind as he tells Lennie that the water is not fresh and we are informed that Lennie is unable to control his strength as he broke a mouse ‘pettin’ it’.
Leading up to their dream Steinbeck builds up a clear image to who Lennie and George are. Immediately the main point is made to us that George is an intelligent, curious man who is portrayed as a motherly character who looks after Lennie and shows him what to do. Lennie is portrayed as the complete opposite as he is compared to a horse (huge, powerful) and a bear (massive, powerful, clumsy and potentially aggressive/protective). His huge size and strength combined with his slow mind and a lack of understanding of