1st of all : it just IS ironic that Lennie is big and dumb, while George is little and in control. That's what irony is.
2nd : Look in the book for examples of times Lennie acts young or "little"; such as him playing with the mouse. He acts like a young child, but is actually a big strong guy (not even aware of how strong he actually is).
3rd : George is a shorter man, but he acts like Lennie's protective big brother (helping him run away, etc.)
Lennie's full name is Lennie Small, which is ironic because Lennie is neither physically nor mentally small. He is actually a large, strong man with limited cognitive abilities. This irony emphasizes the difference between his physical appearance and his cognitive capabilities.
One example of irony in "Of Mice and Men" is when Lennie, a massive and strong man, is ultimately killed by George, his smaller and weaker companion. This is ironic because George had always protected Lennie, but ends up being the one to cause his death in order to spare him from a more brutal fate.
George says that Lennie works as strong as a bull on page 8 of "Of Mice and Men."
Lennie and George met when George's aunt Clara passed away and Lennie's Aunt Clara died. George was friends with Lennie's Aunt Clara, and Lennie's Aunt Clara had asked George to look out for Lennie after she passed away. George agreed to take care of Lennie and they formed a strong bond based on mutual dependence and friendship.
George is small and quick and dark of face..... Lennie is a man of tremendous size, has the mind of a yound child.
George doesn't help Lennie in the fight because he knows that Lennie is strong and can handle himself. George also wants Lennie to learn to stand up for himself and not rely on George for everything. Additionally, stepping in may escalate the situation and make things worse.
Lennie and George. George is the smart, short one whereas Lennie is strong and tall but not very intelligent.
Lennie's last name is Small, which is inappropriate because he is described as a gigantic lummox.
George and Lennie are foils on a few different levels. One is in appearance. Lennie is a strong burly man, while George is short and small. The two characters are also oppositional in attitude. Lennie is calm and loving, while George is easily excited. Lennie follows orders and George takes charge. Lennie also goes through life with the desire to simply love and be loved, and George realizes the cruelties of the world and attempts to conquer them.
george made Lennie feel strong he needed george to live and Lennie took evey word george said and though he forgot he would always turn to george and ask for him to help as there is a bit in the book that says george told Lennie to jump of a bridge into water and Lennie did even thought he could not swim and then thanked george for saving him.
He says that Lennie was kicked in the head by a horse and that he was George's cousin.
The two main characters in "Of Mice and Men" are George Milton and Lennie Small, who are best friends and migrant ranch workers during the Great Depression. Their dream of owning a farm together drives the plot of the story.