How Is Lennie Presented In Of Mice And Men

Often when reading a novel, readers tend to get overwhelmed with all the characters presented simultaneously. However, in the novella Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck illustrates to readers how each character portrays a different role and possesses characteristics that distinguishes them from one another in their society. One character that is key to this novella is Lennie Small. Steinbeck illustrates Lennie as a flat character who does not undergo any significant development, remaining utterly the same throughout the novella as readers were first introduced to him in the beginning. Lennie’s simplistic character traits indisputably have an influential impact. Due to Lennie’s mental disability, he inevitably becomes the victim of manipulation

making him vulnerable. With the constant reiterations of Lennie’s characteristics, readers are able to acknowledge how these characteristics will foreshadow future events. Thereby, Steinbeck illustrates the protagonist, Lennie Small, as aggressive and reliant upon others, justifying why he is perceived as absent-minded throughout the novella.
Generally, when humans do not know how to respond to something they despise, they turn to aggression. Although this is the case for Lennie, as he is illustrated as an aggressive, “large man with enormous strength” (Steinbeck 2), he himself does not acknowledge the strength he possesses. Additionally, his illiteracy causes a significant impact on the novella’s plot, giving the readers a sense of Lennie’s strength and the catalysts of all the conflicts throughout the novel. Steinbeck illustrates Lennie’s fight when “Curley’s fist was swinging when Lennie reached for it. The next minute Curley was flopping like a fish on a line, and his closed fist was lost in Lennie’s big hand” (63). During this fight, Lennie does not immediately fight back until George advises him to do so, but he promptly yells for George’s help. Although, when Lennie fights back, he simply takes down Curley with one arm and grips harder out of fear, only until George and Slim tell him to let go; at this point Curley is barely conscious after “flopping like a fish” (63). Steinbeck’s illustration of the two characters allows readers to see that Lennie beating up Curley does not surpass anything shocking to the readers especially when comparing the physique of both characters. However, customarily it is not conventional for humans to beat someone up so effortlessly, yet it is no surprise for Lennie to be capable of such a feat. Furthermore, throughout the novella there is not one circumstance where Lennie does not appear aggressive towards another character. Another occurrence is when Curley’s wife convinces Lennie to “pet her soft hair” (90), and when his monstrous hands touch her hair, he continues without permission, thus Curley’s wife “continued to struggle, and her eyes were wild with terror. He shook her then, and he was angry with her. ‘Don’t you go yellin’, he said, and he shook her; and her body flopped like a fist. And then she was still, for Lennie had broken her neck” (91). These behaviors Lennie tends to act upon, is the result of why he delivers these violent actions. In this case Lennie’s violent outbursts are caused by his inability to control and acknowledge his strength and irritations from social interactions, since he is not used to human confrontations daily.
As we go along in the novella, Steinbeck illustrates Lennie’s reliance on George.

It is understood that Lennie undergoes as what we can distinguish as a mental disability, despite the fact that Steinbeck does not directly indicate it. The portrayal of Lennie created in this novella also shows that although Lennie is a grown man, he is childlike and does not have a mind of his own. Every step and action Lennie makes, he “imitates George exactly. He pushes himself back, drew up his knees, embraces them, looks over to George to see whether he had it just right. He pulled his hat down a little more over his eyes, the way George's hat was” (10). It obviously shows that Lennie considers George a role model, as well as a father figure. Despite Lennie’s age, he has a mental disability that justifies the reason why he acts and speaks with immaturity. Steinbeck emphasizes to readers how reliant Lennie is on George, as if he is “slow like a terrier, who doesn’t want to bring a ball back to his master,” (9) comparing Lennie to the puppy, accentuating his childish and reliant personality. Moreover, when Lennie and George finally arrive in Soledad, California, and the landlord of the ranch interviews the two, “Lennie looked at George for help. ‘He can do anything you tell him,’ said George...The boss turned on George. ‘Then why don’t you let him answer? What you trying to put over?’ George broke in loudly, ‘Oh! I ain’t saying he’s bright’” (22). Lennie has a choice if he wants to listen to George and not speak, which he did. However, if he did speak, how would the landlord of the ranch anticipate Lennie differently? Although we do not know the answer to this occurrence shows how Lennie listens to George in every scenario. Lennie does not acknowledge the consequences and is always told what to do. If George is not there for Lennie, Lennie would have probably been dead much earlier due to his inappropriate actions. The language (figurative language) Steinbeck uses to illustrate

Lennie simply allows readers to understand Lennie’s circumstances as a result of why he is so reliant on George, and how his life would be if it were not for George being by his side.
Steinbeck emphasizes how many times George repeats what he says to Lennie, as well as how forgetful and absent-minded Lennie portrays himself. Throughout the novella, there is not one situation where Lennie acknowledged his surroundings or did not seem oblivious. Right off the bat, Steinbeck demonstrates how long it takes for Lennie to grasp on to the fact that they are heading to Soledad, California. This is demonstrated through his constant asking of” ‘Where we goin’, George? The little man jerked down the brim of his hat and scowled over at Lennie. ‘So, you forgot that awready did you? I gotta tell you again do I? Jesus Christ, you’re a crazy bastard!’ ‘I forgot,’ Lennie said softly. ‘I tried not to forget. Honest to God I did, George’” (4). This clearly demonstrates that in a matter of a few minutes, Lennie appears to be forgetful and needs to be reminded constantly where they are headed. It is understandable that we as humans forget things once in a while, however in this case the fact that Lennie often forgets relates back to his mental disability. When arriving at Soledad, George reminds Lennie not to speak a word because of poor past experiences. After George and Lennie gets interviewed by the boss of the ranch, George immediately turns to Lennie, “‘So you wasn’t gonna say a word. You was gonna leave your big flapper shut and leave me do the talkin’. ‘Damn near lost us the job.’ Lennie stared hopelessly at his hands. ‘I forgot, George.’ ‘Yeah, you forgot. You always forget, and’ I got to talk you out of it’” (23). Undoubtedly, readers are aware that Lennie is portrayed as an individual who has a hard time recalling experiences that happen not too long ago. Lennie is constantly unaware of his environment, and does not know how or when to act a certain way, during certain times. Thus, Lennie’s absent-minded self, rationalizes the reason why Lennie gets himself, as well as George into numerous problems.
In conclusion, it is illustrated by author John Steinbeck that Lennie’s characteristics of being aggressive and reliant allows readers to infer that he is absent-minded throughout the novella. Lennie is a very unique as well as a complex character. Thus, this allows readers to depict and recall him at any circumstance. Steinbeck is unlike any other author. He distinctively uses imagery and vivid scenarios so readers can relate to Lennie. With the three-character traits given to describe him, readers may agree to disagree. People all have different outlooks and aspects when reading, watching, or listening to a piece of literature. Just like Lennie Small, every character has its advantages and drawbacks. However, one thing us readers have in common is how we perceive the novella and the purpose of each character Steinbeck intends to portray.