lennie Flashcards
summary
- Lennie is George’s friend and the two travel together. Lennie has a mental disability, making him dependent upon George (like a father figure/ older brother) to manage day to day life in the difficult environment in which they live and work.
- Lennie is physically very strong (so his name is ironic), but cannot control himself, leading to escalating acts of accidental violence through the book. He is obsessed with stroking soft things, such as animal fur. This starts with mice, which he kills, then leads to his puppy, which he also kills, before the tragic death of Curley’s wife when he strokes her hair. He does not mean to cause harm but is not aware of his own physical power.
- Lennie is very innocent and sweet-natured; he always means well and is focused on simple pleasures, which his dream with George reminds the reader of. He lacks awareness of social conventions and so does not feel the same racism and prejudice against women that many of the other male characters feel. Lennie is happy to talk to Crooks and Curley’s wife, despite them being rejected by the other characters on the ranch.
- Lennie only gets angry or aggressive when he feels that his friendship with George is threatened. For example, when Crooks suggests that George might abandon Lennie, Lennie reacts angrily, worried that Crooks is threatening violence against his friend.
Lennie covered…………………………………………………………………………………………
Lennie covered his face with… huge paws and bleated with terror. He cried, “Make ‘um stop, George.”
- Lennie is described using animalistic language (paws and bleated), showing his lack of understanding as Curley attacks him. Rather than defend himself, which he could do easily because of his size, he looks to George for help and protection, showing his dependence upon him.
‘Think I’d…………………………………………………….
‘Think I’d let you… carry your own work card?’ (George)
- Lennie cannot be trusted to even carry a small card, which reflects his mental disability and lack of control over his life
- Also shows George’s care for him and Lennie’s dependence upon him, as he has to do nearly everything for him
“Lennie lo………………………………………………………………
“Lennie looked… helplessly at George”
- Occurs during the initial scene where George scolds Lennie after Lennie is caught holding a dead mouse he had been petting too hard.
- Lennie’s gaze reflects his dependence on George for guidance, approval, and protection. He doesn’t fully comprehend the consequences of his actions, embodying both innocence and vulnerability.
- This moment early on in the novella underscores the imbalance in their relationship. George serves as a caretaker, while Lennie relies on him emotionally and intellectually.
- The line highlights the bond between the characters. Despite his frustration, George feels a sense of duty to protect Lennie, even when it strains him.
‘Crooks saw………………………………………………………
‘Crooks saw the… danger as it approached him’
- Demonstrates Lennie’s strength
- Shows the threat Lennie can posses
- Reflects Lennie’s compassion for and friendship with George as he is willing to defend him
“An’ you ain’t………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
“An’ you ain’t gonna do no bad things like… you done in Weed, neither.” Lennie looked puzzled. “Like I done in Weed?”
- Lennie has already forgotten what happened in Weed and what he did and why they had to leave, showing the extent of his mental disability
- Shows Lennie’s innocence
“An you g…………………………………………………………..
Lennie… giggled……………………………………………………………………………………….
“An you get to tend the rabbits. (George)
Lennie… giggled with happiness.
“An live offa the fatta the lan’.” (Lennie)
- He doesn’t remember much but he remembers the dream. Shows the dream’s significance to Lennie’s happiness
- Lennie likes to pet soft things which is why he is so focused on the rabbits. Shows his childish, innocent and sweet nature
‘Why do…………………………………………………………………………………………………
‘Why do you got to get killed? … ‘I didn’t… bounce you hard’.
- Demonstrates that Lennie did bounce him, but is unable to comprehend his strength due to his mental disability
- He blames the puppy though it is weak in a patronising tone
Suddenly his………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Suddenly his anger arose. “God… dam you,” he cried
- Lennie getting angry at the puppy for something he did shows his confusion and lack of understanding over his own strength
