What Role Does Lennie Play In Of Mice And Men

John Steinbeck’s book Of Mice and Men is a story that captures the spirit of farm work in the 1930’s. It describes the struggles and hardships of finding jobs and surviving in the West. Sometimes it is better to be alone, but some people might need a little help.

Lennie is repeatedly compared to an animal because he is often treated as such. George talks to him like a little kid, and Lennie is gullible enough to follow the orders even if they may harm him. He follows his “master” like a dog. Lennie hides things like a little kid who doesn’t want to get in trouble. "Slowly, like a terrier who doesn't want to bring a ball to its master, Lennie approached, drew back, approached again." (Chapter 1, pg. 9)

When Lennie is introduced in the book, the first thing describing him is, “He walked heavily, dragging his feet a little, the way a bear drags his paws. (Chapter 1, pg. 2) In the next scene, when Lennie is drinking out of the pond, George says, “ You’d drink out of a gutter if you was thirsty.” (Chapter 1, pg. 3) Thisshows that an animal is all Lennie is seen as, not a person.

Lennie is similar to a child.

He often imitates George, as seen in Chapter 1, “Lennie, who had been watching, imitated George exactly. He pushed himself back, drew up his knees, embraced them, and looked over to George to see whether he had it just right.” (Chapter 1, pg. 4) Later that night, Lennie is praised for remembering something after having it repeated multiple times. George says, “Good boy! That’s fine, Lennie! Maybe you’re gettin’ better.” (Chapter 1, pg.

15)

Lennie tends to take orders like a dog. He is reluctant at first, but once he starts doing something, it is hard to get him to stop. In the beginning of Lennie’s fight with Curley, Lennie is taking all the hits and doesn’t fight back because he doesn’t want George to be angry at him. He doesn’t have good enough judgement to know that he needs to fight back. It takes a lot of encouragement from George before Lennie starts fighting back, “Get him, Lennie. Don’t let him do it!” (Chapter 3, pg. 34)

In the end, Lennie is killed the same way as Candy’s old dog, “In the back of the head, so he won’t feel it.” (Chapter 2, page 21) If George had not shot Lennie, he would have had more torture ahead. Lennie doesn’t understand what is going on, and George knew what was best for him. Sometimes the best thing to do is put something out of its misery.