Character Traits of Lennie in of Mice and Men

Table of Contents

• Lennie's Innocence
• Lennie's Loyalty
• Lennie's Impulsivity
• Conclusion

"Of Mice and Men," a well-loved novel by John Steinbeck, dives deep into the lives of migrant workers during the Great Depression. At the heart of the story is Lennie Small, a big guy with mental disabilities but also incredible strength. The traits that define Lennie are key in shaping the story and exploring big themes like loneliness, dreams, and what it means to be human. Through Lennie's innocence, loyalty, and impulsiveness, he reveals how complicated people can be and makes us think about our own traits and how they shape our lives.

Character Traits of Lennie in "Of Mice and Men"

Lennie's Innocence

First off, Lennie is super innocent. Sure, he's strong as an ox, but he has this childlike way about him that impacts how he interacts with folks. Right from the start, you see Lennie doesn't fully get what his actions can lead to. Like when he pets a puppy too hard and accidentally kills it—he's totally baffled by its lifeless body. It really highlights his innocence and lack of understanding about how delicate life is.

Plus, you see his innocence in his love for all things soft and gentle. He's obsessed with touching George's shirt or petting a puppy. It's like he's just curious about everything around him, kinda like a little kid discovering the world. But here's where it gets sad—Lennie can't control his strength which ends up causing harm without meaning to, leading to the novel's tragic end.

Lennie's Loyalty

Then there's Lennie's loyalty. This guy is fiercely loyal to George, his friend and caretaker. You can tell from the get-go because Lennie follows George’s every word without hesitation. Even though George sometimes gets pretty annoyed with Lennie, he knows deep down how much that loyalty means to them both. It’s what grounds their friendship and gives them both a sense of stability.

Lennie's loyalty goes beyond just his bond with George; it's tied up in his dream too—owning a piece of land one day. This dream gives him hope and something to aim for. His dedication to this vision pushes him forward despite all sorts of challenges thrown his way.

Lennie's Impulsivity

Now let’s talk about Lennie’s impulsiveness—it often spells trouble for him. He just can't seem to control himself sometimes; this keeps cropping up throughout the story. Take when he accidentally kills Curley’s wife; driven by fear and panic, he tries to cover it up right away which seals his fate.

You also see this impulsive side in how he deals with people around him too; acting on desires without thinking twice about consequences is kinda his thing! Like when interacting with Curley (the boss’s son), who gets provoked by Lennie unintentionally through simple actions! So yeah...his impulsiveness not only puts himself at risk but others too!

Conclusion

Lennie Small's blend of innocence, loyalty along with impulsivity shapes "Of Mice And Men" wonderfully while delving into themes like loneliness & dreams combined with insights into human nature itself!

Reflecting upon Lennie's journey nudges us towards examining our own traits influencing personal lives/relationships; whether we cherish innocence reminding us life's fragile beauty or value unwavering support/friendship alongside realizing why thinking things through matters via examining decisions made.

References:

1. Steinbeck, J. (1937). Of Mice and Men. Covici Friede Publishers.
2. Benson, J.J., & Loftis J.C.. (1984). The Short Novels of John Steinbeck: Critical Essays With a Checklist to Steinbeck Criticism. Duke University Press Books.
3. Meyer, Michael J.. (2009). The Essential Criticism of John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men . Scarecrow Press Inc.
4. Timmerman John H.. (1986). John Steinbeck's Fiction: The Aesthetics Of The Road Taken . University Of Oklahoma Press .
5. Taliaferro Charles W..(2000). In Memoriam: A Brief History And Guide To Reading American Literature . Syracuse University Press .