character critical essay

• The protagonist's actions are often driven by their emotions, leading to impulsive decisions that have unintended consequences.
• Lennie

  • Animal imagery
  • Often compared to an animal
• Lennie is mistreated


  Because he is different
• Lennie's big paws


  • Tells us he is often compared to a bear as he is seen as big and strong
  • This leads to the mistreatment of him as people tend to be scared of him resulting in others not engaging with Lennie
  • This also leads to trouble for him as it causes small guys like Curley to try and hurt Lennie, to try to prove their own place in society
• Lennie being told he had to stay in the ranch and not go out with the other men


  Shows how the other men don't want him there as they view him as a burden to take care of, and they also don't know how to deal with Lennie's behaviour
• Lennie being told not to get into trouble

  Reinforces how much they view him like a small child who can't be trusted
• Lennie killing Curley's Wife

  Pushes him further from society as people now view him as evil and a murderer, when it was actually that Lennie meant no harm but due to his confusion and anger the strength Lennie has resulted in her death
• George not trusting Lennie with his own work card


  Reinforces how Lennie is viewed as irresponsible and not trustworthy enough to look after his own things without losing them, just like a small child
• George and Lennie's dream of achieving the little house and land


  • Is unrealistic as with the little money they have it will be difficult for them to fund a house and couple of acres and also animals cheaply
  • The pair's dream is also unrealistic as it will be hard for them to do as Lennie and George have to keep moving for work which will increase the difficulty of them finding a home to settle in
• Lennie's belief that he and George will achieve their dream of living on a house where he can tend to many rabbits everyday


  Is highly unrealistic as right now Lennie cannot be trusted to look after a puppy or a single mouse without bringing accidental harm to them, reinforcing how the dream is unachievable for Lennie
• Animal imagery in Of Mice and Men


  A literary device used to compare animals and people or objects, often used to describe Lennie's character in Steinbeck's novel.
• Lennie's physical strength


  Frequently compared to animals such as a bear, a horse, and a puppy, highlighting his physical strength.
• Lennie's fascination with soft things

  An "animal-like need" for soft things, such as puppies and women's hair, reflecting his desire for comfort and connection.
• Lennie's lack of control

  His animal-like qualities extend to his lack of control over his own actions, leading to tragic consequences in the novel.
• Themes explored through animal imagery

  Loneliness, friendship, and the human condition are explored through the use of animal imagery in the novel.
• Complex and memorable character

  Animal imagery helps create a complex and memorable character in Lennie, highlighting both his strengths and weaknesses.