Lennies Death in John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men

Lennies Death in John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men

The beginning , or near beginning of "Of Mice and Men" , starts at a

quiet pool in the secludedness of the Salinas Valley. It is a peaceful

scene, contrasting with the previous episode in which George and

Lennie found themselves fleeing from an angry mob.

While in the peacefulness of their temporary refuge , Lennie insists

that George tell him about "the rabbits" and "how I get to tend the

rabbits". George does so with slight fatigue at the monotonousy of the

repeated subject. "All right , but after this you get some rest , you

hear?" . The proceeding story is on of glamour, an idyllic dream with

the harshness of life carefully cut out. Goerge tells the story as if

talking to a child, and Lennie responds with the same child-like

ideas. "Tell them about the rabbits George" . Lennie even eagerly adds

to the far-fetched fantasy with child like enthusiasm, "and we have

different coloured rabbits George."

In short , Lennies motives and state of mind are that of a child.

George is a kind of parental figure to Lennie. Althought Lennie could

talk about the rabbits for himself, he prefers that George does so ,

as he feels that whatever George says and does is right, and harbours

an undeniable truth. This makes Lennie happy because of the fact that

because George told him about the rabbits , then to Lennie , this must

be true.

When George and Lennie find a job on a nearby ranch , not to far from

their refuge, they are instantly met with near instant hostility.

After conversing with an old swamper ,who greeted them with somewhat

surpassed glee, George and Lennie are confronted with the ...

... middle of paper ...

...urleys hand free from Lennies iron grip

,but fails. After a minute or so, Lennies fear subsides enough for his

sense of self to tell him to 'let go'.

While not fatal in this instance , Lennies lack of self control under

pressuring and climactic situations is deadly. Lennies great strength

is only hindered by his mild nature . However , when either angered or

frightened , Lennies self control goes 'out the window'. Near the end

of the novel , Lennies lack of self control proves to be fatal to not

only him , but the wife of Curley aswell. In conclusion then , Lennie

is utterly unprepared for the world. George is the only person who

understands him and like wise , who Lennie understands. Lennies lack

of propriety and self control result in his death. An all but too kind

a death , for one so inept to cope with the world.