Lennie in Of Mice and Men

A few years ago, people would have called Lennie "retarded." Today, he would be considered "mentally challenged." Nevertheless, there is something about Lenny that many of us may wish to hide behind- a child-like mind, a love for animals and simple things, and complete unawareness of reality. Big and powerfully built, yet for the most part meaning no harm, even when he takes a newborn puppy and tries to hide him in order to keep him. When accosted by George, he says, "I'll take 'um back. I didn't mean no harm, George. Honest I didn't. I jus' wanted to pet 'um a little" (Steinbeck 43). In a way, of course, being childlike is a benefit during the hardscrabble depression era days that Steinbeck writes about. George and Lennie were lucky to find work. Lennie would do the hard chores, and George was there to rescue him from any tr

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Category: Literature - L