Of Mice And Men

3 Pages 789 Words

Of Mice and Men, a novel written by John Steinbeck, portrays that physical strength is not a positive attribute. Set in the countryside around Soledad, George and Lennie escape their previous workplace because of the trouble that Lennie causes. Lennie is mentally retarded and suffers from a child’s mentality within a giant’s body. He is innocent and forgetful like a child, and as a result is highly dependent on George. Prior to reaching their new ranch, Lennie continually searches for a mouse, which he can care for and keep as a pet. When he finds a mouse, he tries to stroke it gently, and unintentionally kills it. Furthermore, when Lennie hears about the new puppies on the ranch, he immediately gets one to pet and accidentally kills it as well. The novel reaches a turning point as Lennie is entrapped by Curley’s flirtatious wife, whom he kills as a result of his unrealized strength. As a huge person with the mentality of a child Lennie does not realize his own strength, because accidentally hurts the things he loves. Steinbeck conveys that in society physical strength is not an important part of life and is viewed as something negative and destructive.
Originally, George and Lennie approach Soledad in search of a new job, because Lennie touches the dress of a young girl and is wrongly accused of attempted rape. George is a short man, with a thin body and sharp features. On the other hand, Lennie is a big man who is innocent, unthinking and immature. Lennie’s mental retardation causes George to lead and protect him through the countryside and ranch. Lennie constantly forgets things that he is told or has experienced. Even though he tries and tries to remember, he cannot even remember having to escape from the last town because of trouble. Lennie's gigantic body can do the work of two or three men, but his spirit is still and gentle. Like a child, he is fond of petting soft things, like a mouse or rabbit. Lennie finds a mouse al...