The author John Steinbeck compares Lennie to two different animals. These animals are a bear and a horse. The author compares Lennie to a bear by referring to his big paws because his hands are big and the author describes Lennie drinking from the Salinas River because he acts like a horse.
The author uses animal similes to describe Lennie as having the strength of a bear and the clumsiness of a horse to emphasize his physical attributes and behavior. By comparing Lennie to animals, the author highlights his primal nature and innocence while also foreshadowing his potential for causing unintentional harm due to his lack of control. This technique helps to create a vivid image of Lennie's character and underscores the themes of power, vulnerability, and the harsh realities of the world he lives in.
The author uses animal similes to describe Lennie in "Of Mice and Men." Lennie is compared to a bear for his strength and physical appearance, a horse for his loyalty and simple nature, and a dog for his innocence and dependence on George. These similes emphasize Lennie's primal instincts, loyalty, and vulnerability, highlighting his complex character.
The author uses animals to describe Lennie to show his innocence, simplicity, and dependence on George. By comparing Lennie to animals like a bear or a dog, the author highlights these qualities and helps the reader understand Lennie's character better. Additionally, the animal imagery creates a sense of vulnerability in Lennie, emphasizing his need for protection and caretaking.
rabbits
Animal imagery is prevalent throughout "Of Mice and Men." For example, Lennie is often compared to a bear due to his large size and strength, but also his harmlessness. George frequently compares Lennie to a loyal dog, as he is devoted and simple-minded. Additionally, the rabbits that Lennie dreams of tending symbolize his desire for companionship and a sense of belonging.
Crooks is suspicious of Lennie because he doesn't understand Lennie's mental disability and is wary of his size and strength. Lennie confides in Crooks the dream of owning a farm with George, but Crooks initially doubts the feasibility of the dream due to the racism and discrimination he has faced throughout his life.
Lennie unintentionally saves a puppy in the beginning of chapter six. Despite Lennie's unintentional harm to animals in the past, he is gentle with the puppy and ultimately saves it from being accidentally killed.
Describing Lennie's hands as "paws" creates a vivid image for the reader, emphasizing their size, strength, and lack of refinement. This comparison also hints at Lennie's animalistic nature and foreshadows his innocence and vulnerability.
In "Of Mice and Men," two animals die: the puppy that Lennie accidentally kills by petting too hard, and the future dream of having rabbits that Lennie will not be able to tend to after George is forced to shoot him.
Slim gave Lennie a puppy in "Of Mice and Men" as a gesture of kindness and companionship. However, due to Lennie's inability to handle animals gently, the puppy meets a tragic end.
The dead mouse in Lennie's pocket reveals that he has a tendency to harm small animals unintentionally due to his physical strength and lack of awareness of his own force. It also suggests that Lennie has difficulty understanding the consequences of his actions and the fragility of life.
George tells Lennie that if he behaves and follows their plan, he will be able to tend the rabbits on their dream farm and take care of them. George knows that this idea brings joy and comfort to Lennie, who loves animals. The dream of tending the rabbits also serves as a motivation for Lennie to stay out of trouble and work towards their shared goal of having their own piece of land.
George always tells Lennie about their dream of owning a farm together with animals to tend and live off the "fat of the land." This dream gives Lennie a sense of purpose and hope for the future, which helps him cope with the challenges he faces.