Of Mice and Men Essay on Lennie - 672 Words

Explore the ways Lennie is presented and developed in Of Mice and Men Although Lennie is among the main characters in ‘Of Mice and Men’, he is perhaps the least self-motivated. He experiences no significant changes, development, or growth throughout the novel and remains exactly as the reader encounters him in the opening pages. Throughout this essay I will be explaining the different aspects of his character. Although Steinbeck’s insistent foreshadowing of these characteristics makes Lennie a rather simple character, Lennie’s simplicity is essential to Steinbeck’s idea of the novel. Since the tragedy depends upon the outcome seeming to be expected, we as the reader must know from the start that Lennie is doomed, and must be†¦show more content†¦This extract clearly shows that he is unaware of strength and that he is confused to as why the puppy has been killed. Ironically, Curleys wife is attracted to him because of the violence he had shown in crushing her husbands hand. It is the threat of violence to be used against Lennie that causes George to take the final step of killing his friend. We can also see Lennie as a victim; this is perhaps the most interesting trait of his personality for lots of different reasons. Interestingly, the words used to describe Curley’s fighting and struggle seem to be more violent than Lennie’s aggression, making Lennie seem the victim. The onomatopoeia usage of words such as â€Å"slashed† and â€Å"crashed† create the idea that Lennie is the one being hurt in this situation. Cross sectioning, the same description technique is used when Lennie is suffocating Curley’s wife. Words such as â€Å"battered† and â€Å"writhed† are used to initiate that even though Lennie is the one hurting, he is the victim none the less. Furthermore, Steinbeck writes that â€Å"Lennie watched in terror† as Curley’s hand crushed under his own, showing that even though he is doing it, he can’t control himself and does not want to be hurting him. Instantly, because of the description of the wa y he is acting, we feel sympathy for Lennie, and not the person he has hurt. Finally, we also can believe that Lennie is only ever violent through being invited or tricked into it. Firstly, with the mouse he kills heShow MoreRelatedEssay on Lennie in Of Mice and Men1916 Words   |  8 PagesLennie is a victim of this society and time because he is simpleminded Of mice and men Lennie is a victim of this society and time because he is simpleminded and there were no special centres to send him to at this time in America. Candy is a victim of his society and time because he was old and in the 1930’s America there was no pension schemes like there are now also Candy has a disability, he has one hand. 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