Of Mice and Men

             In the beginning of the story, two men named George Milton and Lennie Small are trying to make their way to a small ranch in Salinas Valley, California. George is the leader of their two man tribe, despite Lennie's intimidating size. George is filled with determ In the novel Of Mice And Men, John Steinbeck illustrates the possibilities that life has and its effects on Lennie, Crooks and George. It shows a view of two outsiders struggling to understand their own unique places in the world. Steinbeck suggests humans have the natural potential to seek happiness although the potential can be fatal or harmful.
             Although Lennie does not have the potential to be smart, Lennie has the potential to be a hard worker. However, Lennie's strength did not work with him and the result was fatal. Lennie is an extremely large man who had the strength of a bull. With the use of his strength, he was great worker but did not understand how strong he was. George explains Lennie's strength by "that big bastard can put up more grain alone than most pairs can". Through his size and his enormous amount of strength Lennie could out work the other men of the ranch by himself. Through the use of Lennie's strength he became a great worker who knew nothing more than to work. Lennie uses his abilities to work hard, but does not understand how strong he is.
             Without George, Lennie does not understand what to do. Lennie gets frightened and uses his strength to hold on to objects. Lennie is just like a child. He will do what ever George tells him to: "Curley was flopping like a fish on a line, and his closed fist was lost in Lennie's hand. George slapped [Lennie] in the face again and again and still Lennie held on. Through Lennie's actions we can see that Lennie is very similar to a child. Lennie's first instinct when he is scared is to hold on. Just as a little kid holds on to its mum or dad when they become frightened, Lennie holds on to objects....

More Essays:

APA     MLA     Chicago
Of Mice and Men. (1969, December 31). In MegaEssays.com. Retrieved 11:36, March 29, 2024, from https://www.megaessays.com/viewpaper/75392.html