Lennie Small of Mice and Men Easy
The novella "Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck , tells the story of two ranch workers, George Milton and Lennie Small, who move from place to place in search of work. The action is set in California, during the Great Depression in the United States.
Unlike the names suggest, George is a small stature man, who seems the smartest of the two. He is the one with initiative, taking responsibility for Lennie's life and actions. He seems to have troubles with settling in one place, blaming it all on Lennie's nature, though, craving his companionship at the same time. Despite his complaints, he has a soft heart and means well when he's trying to take care of his simple friend.
Lennie Small is a big child, both in stature and in character. He doesn't seem to know much of this world and is kind in nature. An innocent soul, far too innocent for the savage world he lives in. He seems lost without his friend George. His caregiver, Aunt Clara, passed away, leaving the responsibility of taking care of Lennie to George, who doesn't seem up for the task.
Their friendship is complicated as with every human relationship. One is more brains, the other is the only soul, yet, they need each other to take on the hardships of life.
Around humans
Lennie understands nothing of this world. His only desire is to find cuddly things he can pet and call his own. That's his only consolation in life. He knows nothing about money and taking care of himself, but he does whatever George tells him to do. He is a strong individual; one whose gentle stroke of a baby mouse puts it to sleep forever. He suffocates the animals he so desperately adores, with a simple touch.
George keeps Lennie around, part because he's known him all his life, part because he's the only friend he's known. Without Lennie, there will be no George, for he alone, is not interesting enough. His soul subject of conversation is his friend, Lennie.
Having to work for a living, they head towards a farm near Soledad. They are misled by the bus driver and have to walk on foot to the farm, to the disappointment of the master, for having arrived later as planned. They find themselves among individuals of all sorts, ranging from good to bad, but more of the latter.
The action is not felt in days but in thoughts and feelings. Simple as the conversations seem, they hide complex personalities, fears, and longings of normal human beings.
Curley is the owner, when in fact is a bitter individual, who feels satisfied only when defying people weaker than himself. It's no wonder the day they arrived, he wanted to pick on Lennie only to prove his manhood. He is the bully type, who's only words but lacks action, who is too coward to face the world as a man. He sees solution only in violence and his fist pointed only towards the weaker ones, is his only argument.
Slim is the real presence of authority at the farm. His description is the longest in the book, out of everybody. It's no wonder all the workers at the farm look to him for guidance. His word is the authority on everything regarding love and politics. He tries not to judge without asking first and seems calm in nature. His strength comes not only from his build but from his life experience.
Candy is a sweet old man in charge of cleaning the barracks. His only companion is an old dog, who doesn't have any teeth left, is almost blind and death, but whose sole purpose in life is following his master till the end of his days. He seems to trouble no one except Carlson, who puts him to death the same evening the two heroes came to the farm. Though Candy seeks Slim's support, he doesn't get it and stands still as Carlson takes the oldest friend, he'd known outside to end his life with a bullet.
Crooks is the only man of color at the farm, in charge of the stables. He sleeps in a room apart from the others, keeping to himself, but longing for human companionship at the same time. Now and again his spark for life seems to creep to the surface, only to be killed again by those around him.
Miss Cudley is the owner's wife. Not being able to fulfill her dreams of becoming a famous actress, she settles for Cudley instead. Having failed of finding fame in real life, continues to be of importance to the men at the farm, coming and going, asking questions, hiding from her husband, and longing for more than a feeling of being possessed. She comes and goes into the barracks, into the stables, to prove to herself and those around her that she is, in fact, in control of her own destiny, when, in fact, she's not.
Their fate was sealed
The moment they arrived at the farm, Lennie has the feeling that the farm is not a nice place and wants to leave, but George wouldn't hear of it. He keeps on selling him the dream of having their own farm one day, where they can grow their own crops and take care of their animals. Lennie would be in charge of the rabbits. He would feed them and pet them the whole day, and there's nothing Lennie wanted to hear more than that.
How can you not be sold on George's dream when he has even made plans of buying a farm and turning it into their dream home. Even old Candy starts dreaming with them. Candy understands, the moment Carlson shot his dog, that he too, one day, would be tossed aside when his time will come, without remorse. He is old and cannot work anymore, but he could still be useful to take care of the animals and cook for them. He starts taking part in George and Lennie's dream and that becomes his only reason for living, even if, it's only for a brief moment.
Lennie impresses everybody with his strength, though, he doesn't use his strength for bad things. He does whatever George asks him to do, without questioning whether it's good or bad because he knows "George would never ask him to do something bad". He trusts his friend more than anything and his only sorrow is to disappoint George.
A couple of miles south of Soledad, dreams are crushed, hopes are shot down, destinies alter, and life will never be the same for any of the characters.
Takeaways
"Of Mice and Men" is a disruption in the existence of its characters, having changed some of them, while leaving others more buried in their disappointment than ever.
It's a moment in the lives of ordinary people, unaltered and as real as you and me.
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Of Mice and Men
Pros
- Short in length
- Easy to read
- Great portrait of characters
- Simple in every aspect yet real
Cons
- Different is scary to most people
- The idea that women bring only sadness
Source: https://thinkmh.com/of-mice-and-men/
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