Of Mice and Men

Question 1

What does the reader learn about the characters of George and Lennie and the
way they interact with each other?

Answer 1

• George and Lennie travel around together, even though they are very different. Their relationship is special, unusual and unique.
• What began as duty has now become a way of life. George takes a parental role and cares for Lennie.
• George often complains about Lennie, to Lennie, but is clearly devoted to him. George is ashamed of his past behaviour when he used to behave unkindly towards Lennie.
• George comforts Lennie with his tale of their dream, their future.
• Lennie joins in at key moments, much like a child; this interaction often includes Lennie mimicking George’s actions.
• Lennie’s mind and body cannot cope with the complexities of human life. This is evident following Curley’s fight with Lennie.
• Lennie usually panics because he is worried or unsure what to do. He lacks self control and is dependent on George getting him out of trouble.
• Lennie’s death is an act of kindness; George makes sure Lennie dies happy, painlessly and free; he dies at the hands of the one person he trusts.

Question 2

Explore how dreams and dreaming affect individual characters in this novel.

Answer 2

• Many characters have a dream of some sort but the main focus is likely to be on the dreams of George and Lennie, Candy, Curley’s wife and maybe Crooks, who dream of a better and fairer life, ultimately representing the ‘American Dream’.
• The shifting nature of work as an itinerant ranch hand means most men have no stability, home, possessions or relationships.
• Dreams support characters through their most difficult and lonely times; dreams offer them hope of better things to come.
• George and Lennie have a dream of owning their own place; when Candy joins the dream, it seems as though, for a short while, the dream might be realised.
• Curley’s wife shares her dreams of becoming an actress with Lennie; her life hasn’t worked out how she had hoped. Part of her dissatisfaction with her life is that it can never measure up to her dreams.
• Crooks knows that owning a piece of land is everybody’s favourite dream, ‘Seems like ever’ guy got land in his head’. Even the cynical Crooks momentarily hopes to join Lennie and Candy on their ranch.
• Despite the efforts to realise these dreams, they remain unfulfilled. The death of Curley’s wife ends any hope of the key dream in the story ever coming true.

Question 3

Explain the importance of Curley’s wife in Of Mice and Men.

Answer 3

• Curley’s wife is important as she is the only woman in the novel and has no name; she is defined by her role: Curley’s wife, like a possession.
• Other characters, like George and Candy, call her by other names such as ‘jailbait’ or ‘tart’; she wears too much make-up and over-dresses, with her red fingernails and red shoes with ostrich feathers. Lennie is fascinated by her and cannot take his eyes off her; ‘she’s purty’. George, realizing Lennie’s fascination, warns him to stay away from her.
• Curley’s wife knows her beauty is her power, and she uses it to flirt with the ranch hands, which makes her husband jealous. She is very much isolated on the ranch, and her husband has seen to it that no one will talk to her without fearing a beating/losing their job.
• Steinbeck’s initial portrayal of Curley’s wife shows her to be a mean and seductive temptress. Eventually, her death brings about the end of the dream, the little farm where George and Lennie can live off ‘the fatta the land’. Her death at Lennie’s hands means the end of George and Lennie’s companionship and their dream (as well as Candy’s).
• In the scene in Crooks’ room, Curley’s wife reminds Crooks of his place and threatens to have him lynched if he doesn’t show her the proper respect as the wife of the boss’s son and a white woman. All of these attributes may cause the reader to dislike her and see her as the downfall of the men in the story.
• In the barn scene, however, Steinbeck softens the reader’s reaction to Curley’s wife by exploring her dreams. Her ‘best laid plans’ involved being an actress in the movies; her beauty is such that perhaps that dream might have come true. Her dreams make her more human and vulnerable. Steinbeck reiterates this impression by portraying her innocence in death, ‘and the discontent and the ache for attention were all gone from her face. She was very pretty and simple, and her face was sweet and young’.

Question 4

Explore how anger and violence are presented during the course of this novel.

Answer 4

• Anger and violence are common themes in Steinbeck’s writing, possibly because he writes mostly about men, men who are struggling to survive and make a living in a difficult and hostile world. In this story, **anger produces tension between characters and anger often explodes into
violence. **

• George is angry with Lennie because he is held back from living a settled and untroubled life. Lennie’s immense strength is dangerous because he lacks self-control; he is a peaceful character who does not seek conflict; like an animal, he is powerful but thoughtless. It is because Lennie is in danger and is likely to be lynched by Curley and his mob that George shoots him.
• Curley’s wife is angry because she is unhappily married; she states later in the novel that Curley is ‘mean’ and spends most of his time at home planning to hurt someone. Curley is probably the angriest character. Whenever he appears, there is tension. Curley is a character who is angry because he is insecure. George remarks, **‘what the hell’s he got on his shoulder’. ** Candy tells George that Curley picks on big guys, so the reader can predict that he is likely to ‘pick’ on Lennie. When Curley finds his wife dead, Curley’s anger turns to thoughts of revenge, ‘shoot him in the guts.’

• Carlson is clearly an aggressive character, he shows little concern over
Candy’s dog and insists that he should be shot until Candy agrees; he
later cleans the gun in Candy’s presence, Slim has to tell him to take a
shovel. The last words in the novel belong to Carlson who demonstrates a
complete lack of understanding for George’s feelings and Lennie’s death.
“Now what the hell ya suppose is eatin’ them two guys?”

• Crooks is angry because he is lonely and subjected to racist taunts. In
Section Four, when Crooks teases Lennie unnecessarily, Steinbeck shares
a needless episode of conflict brought about by Crooks’ personal
frustration. Other episodes of needless violence include the boss who
gives the men whisky and allows a fight to take place at Christmas-time.

Question 5

Show how the characters of Candy and Crooks are presented in this novel.

Answer 5

• Steinbeck’s characters, Candy and Crooks, are initially presented in this text as elderly outcasts who appear to have little hope of changing their present circumstances. George and Lennie’s dream entrances both these characters and, for a short while, they both contemplate the possibility of this dream not just coming true, but that they may partake in it.
• Crooks cannot help but ask if there might be room for him to come along and hoe in the garden. Crooks’ hopes of helping out on this farm are quickly extinguished, from the moment George enters the bunkhouse. George clearly disapproves of Lennie spending time with Crooks; Crooks is quickly reminded that the colour of his skin is a barrier to any chance of joining them on the farm. He tells Candy that he wasn’t really serious, Crooks’ way of coping with any rejection.
• Crooks is extremely lonely; section four of the text explores his loneliness. He plays a cruel game with Lennie, suggesting to him that George may not return; it is only when Lennie threatens him with physical violence that he does relent. Crooks exhibits the corrosive effects that loneliness can have on a person; his character evokes sympathy as **the origins of his cruel behaviour are made evident. **
• Candy’s dog serves as a harsh reminder of the fate that awaits anyone who outlives his usefulness. Like George, Candy clings to the idea of having the freedom to take up or set aside work as he chooses. Candy believes that his dream will come true. The change in his character is entirely down to the fact that he has something to work and live for. When Curley’s wife is discovered dead in the barn, Candy is devastated. He is aware that with her death the dream dies.
• The impossibility of their dream sadly proves that the bitter Crooks was right. Steinbeck appears to suggest that such a paradise of freedom, contentment, and safety are not to be found in this world.

Question 6

Explore the importance of friendship in Of Mice and Men.

Answer 6

• A friendship like George’s and Lennie’s is not just unusual but unique,
especially amongst men, men who are struggling to survive and make a
living in a difficult and hostile world. The last words in the novel belong
to Carlson who demonstrates what most men think and feel: a complete
lack of understanding for George and Lennie’s friendship.

• Steinbeck presents **George’s frustration with Lennie ** from the opening
pages in the novel; he is held back from living a settled and untroubled
life. Despite this, George does what he thinks he has to do and takes
responsibility for Lennie.

•** George’s and Lennie’s friendship** is at the core of the novel; Steinbeck
presents this friendship in a sincere and realistic fashion. From Lennie’s
perspective, George is the most important person in his life, his guardian
and only friend. Every time Lennie does anything that he knows is wrong,
his first thought is of George’s disapproval. When he accidentally kills his
puppy, his only thought is about George’s anger. He has a childlike faith
that George will always be there for him, a faith that seems justified,
given their long history together.

• George has assumed responsibility for Lennie’s welfare and although he
has made speeches about how much easier life would be without Lennie,
George is clearly devoted to his friend. The men are **uncommonly united
by their shared dream of a better life on a farm: ‘live off the fatta the
lan’’. **George’s belief in the dream farm depends upon Lennie.
Ultimately, Steinbeck’s world is too harsh to sustain their relationship,
and they are forced to separate tragically. With this, a rare friendship
vanishes.

Question 7

Explore how Curley’s wife and one other character in the novel are affected by prejudice.

Answer 7

• apart from Curley‘s wife, the obvious character who suffers prejudice is Crooks, although a case may be made for Curley because no one has anything pleasant to say about him or Candy because of his disability and his lowly status. If a candidate makes a good case with obvious evidence they should be rewarded.

Curley’s wife

• Curley‘s wife is criticised by many of the men who have no understanding of her isolation. This links with a prejudiced view of her behaviour. She is a dreamer. “‘Nother time I met a guy, an’ he was in pitchers. Went out to the Riverside Dance Palace with him. He says he was gonna put me in the movies. Says I was a natural. Soon’s he got back to Hollywood he was gonna write to me about it.” She looked closely at Lennie to see whether she was impressing him. “I never got that letter,” she said. “I always thought my ol‘ lady stole it.”
• Candy sums up the view of the men: “Yeah? Married two weeks and got the eye? Maybe that‘s why Curley‘s pants is full of ants.” “I seen her give Slim the eye. Slim‘s a jerkline skinner. Hell of a nice fella. Slim don‘t need to wear no high-heeled boots on a grain team. I seen her give Slim the eye. Curley never seen it. An‘ I seen her give Carlson the eye.”
• George says: “She‘s gonna make a mess. They‘s gonna be a bad mess about her. She‘s a jail bait all set on the trigger. That Curley got his work cut out for him. Ranch with a bunch of guys on it ain‘t no place for a girl, specially like her.” Later George calls her a tramp. Not one of the men knows her real name.
• Curley’s wife is responsible for the worst example of prejudice. She is talking to Crooks. ‘She turned on him in scorn. “Listen, Nigger,” she said. “You know what I can do to you if you open your trap?” the men might be prejudiced against her but she still has Crooks that she can humiliate. In that incident Steinbeck shows how the dispossessed can strike back to exert power.

Crooks

• the dice are loaded against Crooks not only is he black but he is disabled too. Steinbeck gives him a great deal of dignity. When Lennie goes into Crooks‘ room Steinbeck describes it with economy.“This room was swept and fairly neat, for Crooks was a proud, aloof man. He kept his distance and demanded that other people keep theirs. His body was bent over to the left by his crooked spine, and his eyes lay deep in his head, and because of their depth seemed to glitter with intensity. His lean face was lined with deep black wrinkles, and he had thin, pain-tightened lips which were lighter than his face.”
• naïve Lennie cannot understand why Crooks is ostracised. “ “Why ain‘t you wanted?” Lennie asked. ―‘Cause I‘m black. They play cards in there, but I can‘t play because I‘m black. They say I stink. Well, I tell you, you all of you stink to me.”
• Crooks has had a lifetime of being subjected to racist prejudice. He is very articulate. There is an impression created that he could be the most intelligent man on the ranch. He does occasionally retire “into the terrible protective dignity of the negro.”

Question 8

The novel was first published in 1937.
What is it about the themes of the novel that continue to attract readers?

Answer 8

• Candidates will list some of the following factors: evokes compassion in the reader, deals with the universal themes of friendship and loneliness, sadness, bullying, hopes and dreams, death and prejudice. These themes transcend time and relate to current problems.
• the clearly drawn characters and the hopes and dreams of George and Lennie engage the reader from the start.
• hopes and dreams are threaded throughout the book: George and Lennie’s dream of owning a small farm, Curley’s wife‘s dream of finding fame in Hollywood.
• the ethical issues raised in the book are done without preaching. The racism in the way that Crooks is isolated is simply stated and again a great deal is related through the dialogue.
• the ethical issue of killing is introduced through the debate around Candy‘s dog and later with the killing of Lennie himself.
• ** Curley‘s wife brings out the sexism** at the ranch. Few of the men have anything pleasant to say about her and they dismiss her brutally.
• the violence of the scene where Curley‘s hand is crushed has a mixed appeal to readers. Lennie‘s triumph and the defeat of the bully are satisfying. The other violence: the death of Curley‘s wife is written in a very different way. It almost comes as a surprise.
• Steinbeck does not moralise, does not go into the minds of the characters, except for the strange episode with Aunt Clara talking to Lennie. In the main, Steinbeck just reports.
• all the characters are lonely apart from George and Lennie who have each other.
• finally it is the circular nature of the tale that has an appeal as it returns to the location where it started and the unique relationship of the two main characters ends. In a few lines of dialogue Steinbeck highlights the racism and the loneliness.

Question 9

Explore the character of Slim and his relationship with others in this novel.

Answer 9

• Slim is the character that stands apart from others in the novel; he is described as ‘god-like’. He is the ‘jerkline skinner’, well respected and good at his job. He has an air of mystery about him and is dignified: a natural leader. He is a ‘hell of a nice fella’. He is described as moving with ‘a majesty achieved only by royalty and master craftsmen’. He appears ageless with the hands of a ‘temple dancer’.
• Slim’s relationship with **George and Lennie is friendly and balanced. ** He admires their strength and skill on the ranch. He understands their relationship and orchestrates the situation when Curley’s hand is broken to ensure that Lennie and George are not ‘cann’d.’ He is a good listener who is receptive to George as he confesses to him about his relationship with Lennie.
• Curley knows he cannot intimidate Slim. Slim is immune to the charms of Curley’s wife, even though she has tried to flirt with him and, as Candy points out, ‘Slim don’t need to wear no high heeled boots on a grain team.’ This is an unfavourable comparison with Curley whose short stature and pugilistic attitude are polar opposites to Slim’s calm, tall presence. Curley even offers Slim an uncharacteristic apology.
• Slim is kind to Curley’s wife; he is the only person who seems to offer her any kind of welcome. When she comes to the bunk house allegedly looking for Curley, he greets her with ‘Hi, Good-lookin’’. His dismissal of her is firm but tinged with a light humour.
• after Slim’s dog has puppies, both Candy and Lennie are offered one. This is an important gesture. Candy’s dog has been shot by Carlson and Lennie’s love of soft animals is well known. Slim is, however, a pragmatist who tacitly authorises the shooting of Candy’s aged dog and reports that he has had to drown four of the puppies as their mother cannot feed all of them.
• at the end of the novel, Slim helps George to make up his mind about Lennie and reassures him that he has done the right thing in shooting Lennie. Again he is pragmatic about Lennie’s likely fate if George does not shoot him. It is Slim who leads George away from the scene of Lennie’s death to Carlson’s comment of ‘what’s eatin’ them two guys’.

Question 10

‘Guys like us that work on ranches…’
Explore the importance of work in ‘Of Mice and Men’.

Answer 10

• candidates may mention the lack of regular paid work during the time of which Steinbeck is writing. Lennie and George are itinerant workers owing to the effects of the Depression and that is how the reader finds them at the beginning of the novel – on their way to seek work at the ranch. Luck seems to be against them in this respect from the very start as the bus driver ‘gives them a bum steer’. Steinbeck emphasizes the distances men need to travel to find work.
• reference to the work slips from Murray and Ready and the attitude of the boss at the ranch to the men’s arrival demonstrates that work is scarce and it’s an employer’s market. Lennie’s skill at manual tasks and his incredible strength are conveyed in Steinbeck’s prose and represent his value to the ranch that George puts across when he talks to the boss – ‘He can rassel grain bags, drive a cultivator’. George is keen to present Lennie in a good light before he speaks.
• Steinbeck describes what the ranch is like as a workplace in a number of situations such as the harness room where Crooks lives with ‘a little bench for leather working tools’. He describes the camaraderie in the bunk house amongst disparate individuals brought together by the need for work. A former ranch worker who has written in to a magazine is mentioned and workers live, eat and sleep together. However, **George and Lennie are exceptional in travelling and working together. **
• different characters have various roles on the ranch that help to define their characters. Slim is the respected ‘jerkline skinner’ while Candy is the ‘old swamper’, **Crooks is the stable buck and George and Lennie are tasked with ‘bucking barley’. ** These roles contribute to the **portrayal of their characters and emphasise how important it was to find and keep work. Lennie is described as ‘a hell of a good worker.’ **
• ironically, Curley’s wife has no job and therefore **no perceived identity. ** She dreams of being an actress but her lack of purpose and function contributes to her isolation and unhappiness. She falls into her role as Curley’s wife on the very evening she hopes to take the first step in her future as an actress. After this, she is given no identity of her own, always referred to as ‘Curley’s wife’.
• the dream of Lennie and George revolves around the security of a permanent home and self-employment. ‘An’ it’d be our own, an’ nobody could can us.’ The American Dream is evident as Steinbeck presents the popular belief that independence and happiness are possible for anyone. Not having to answer to anyone is hugely important to them. Candy wants to be useful but industrial injury makes this difficult and he worries about being destitute. His goal in the dream is to do some hoeing in the garden, ‘cook and tend the chickens.’
• the fragility of employment and the threat of losing a job are evident throughout the novel. When Lennie ‘busts’ Curley’s hand, George’s concern is that the two will be ‘canned’ and Candy speaks of his fate when he is no longer able to work: ‘I got hurt 4 years ago’ and ‘They’ll can me purty soon.’

Question 11

‘Steinbeck presents Curley and Curley’s wife as the source of most of the trouble
on the ranch.’
How far do you agree with this view?

Answer 11

• Curley is the son of the boss and therefore has power on the ranch. He is small in stature but well-built and a practised boxer. He is aggressive, unfriendly and unpopular with the men on the ranch. He is hostile towards and suspicious of George and Lennie when they arrive at the ranch. He is extremely bad-tempered and jealously possessive of his wife. He is described as ‘pugnacious’
• Curley’s wife is the only female character in the novel. She is not given a name by Steinbeck and is treated very much as a possession by Curley. She is attention-seeking and young, heavily made-up and concerned about her appearance. She is very lonely and seeks company from the men who work on the ranch
• candidates may argue that both of these characters are the source of trouble on the ranch but others may identify aspects of ranch life such as loneliness or discrimination as alternative sources of trouble. Examiners should be open to a range of supported arguments
• Curley causes trouble for Slim by accusing him of having relations with his wife. Because of Slim’s position on the ranch, the respect in which he is held by the other men and his fear of Slim, Curley turns on Lennie in the bunkhouse, fiercely beating him until George gives Lennie permission to fight back. Curley resents Lennie because of his height and size but he also sees him as a soft target. This event unsettles Lennie and makes Curley even more of an enemy to him. This intensifies Curley’s hatred of Lennie by the end of the novel
• Curley’s wife is immediately seen by George to be a bad influence and dangerous person on the ranch. He describes her as ‘jailbait’ and warns Lennie in strong terms to stay away from her. His warning proves to be justified by the end of the novel when Lennie accidentally kills her in the barn. **Curley’s wife, it can be argued, is only looking for company and is a victim of events on the ranch rather than the source of problems **
• Steinbeck describes Curley’s wife as quite vain with tight, sausage curls and scarlet mules. She tries to flirt with George and other men on the ranch. Steinbeck portrays her as blocking out the light, suggesting that she is a negative force in the novel. Curley’s wife confides in Lennie about her lost dreams and encourages him to stroke her hair. Lennie’s misunderstanding leads him to hold on to her hair when she asks him to let go which ends with him breaking her neck when he tries to silence her
• it is Curley’s aggressive determination to catch Lennie and shoot him himself that leads to the necessity of George’s actions in shooting Lennie first to protect him. Curley shows no interest in the loss of his wife, rather he is fired up by having a reason to pursue and hurt Lennie.

Question 12

In what ways does Steinbeck explore the theme of disability in this novel?

Answer 12

 the theme of disability is largely shown through the characters of
Lennie, Candy and Crooks in the novel. Lennie is a gentle giant of
a man who has learning difficulties;Candy is theold swamper on
the ranch who has lost the use of his hand in a machine and
Crooks is so-called because of his crooked back, caused by being
kicked by a mule

 Lennie’s learning difficulties are shown in the opening of the novel
when George has to prevent him from gulping down stagnant
water at the pond and from petting dead mice: it ain’t fresh’.
George clearly has to look out for Lennie and Steinbeck shows the
effect of disability on their relationship.Lennie was brought up by
his Aunt Clara and, after her death, George takes on the job of
looking after him. This is particularly difficult during the Great
Depression when many men struggled to survive.It isLennie and
George’s partnershipthat gives them**strength **

 George is compelled by the opinions of others to hide the true
nature of Lennie’s disability. He ensures that Lennie will not speak
during the meeting with the boss at the ranch and looks after his
work slips, along with his own. During this meeting, George lies by
saying that he is Lennie’s cousin and that Lennie was injured by
being kicked by a horse when he was a child.This explanation is
considered more acceptable than a problem from birth and George
tells this lie to protect them both

 Lennie may be ‘slow’ but he is, as George maintains, ‘a hell of a
good worker’.Lenniecan be seen to compensate for his learning
difficulties by being extremely good at bucking barley. Steinbeck
does not portray Lennie as a weak character, rather, that he is
different and vulnerable

 at the end of the novel, there is nothing for George to do but to
shoot Lennie to save him from a life of misery in a ‘cage’ or a
painful death at the hands of Curley.Steinbeck shows in his novel
that there was no provision for the disabled in American society in
the 1930s

 Candy is disabled because of his injured hand, the result of an agricultural accident. He has received a small amount of compensation for this injury but has to work in the only capacity
he can as a disabled old man, as a swamper (a cleaner) on the ranch. His position amongst the men is lowly and he is an insecure character. Candy speaks of his fate when he is no longer able to work: ‘I got hurt 4 years ago’ and ‘They’ll can me purty soon’. He fears being ‘cann’d’ and his only hope is to go in with Lennie and George and their dream of the farm

 Crooks is disabled by being kicked in the back by a horse. He is discriminated against because he is black, so being disabled in addition to this is a double blow. He applies liniment to his back in his room but is seen as an object of fun to the other men who talk of him being beaten by the boss when he is in a bad mood.

Question 13

** ‘George would have an easier life without Lennie.’**
How far does Steinbeck’s presentation of the relationship between George and
Lennie support this statement?

Answer 13

 accept a range of answers to this question so long as they are
backed up with relevant and effective arguments. Some may argue
that the statement is true to a great extent while others may
consider that Lennie brings more to George’s life than trouble

 from the opening of the novel, it is clear that George takes care of
Lennie and prevents him from harming himself. In the clearing
where they spend the night, Lennie must be prevented from
drinking too much water from the stagnant pool. George expresses
his frustration, saying life would be easier without Lennie. His later
gripes about Lennie are tinged with affection

 on arriving at the ranch, Lennie and George have to see the boss.
George makes excuses for Lennie’s learning difficulties and says he
was ‘kicked in the head by a horse’ which is not true. He talks for
Lennie to try to keep him out of trouble. He also tells the boss
that Lennie is his cousin – when Lennie says that it is not true
George says ‘If I was a relative of yours I’d kill myself.’ George
takes responsibility for Lennie

 Lennie’s great strength and ability to work hard are assets as they
help the two men to gain employment on ranches. This would be
important at a time of high unemployment

 George is arguably as dependent on Lennie as Lennie is on
George. He needs Lennie’scompanionshipand thereassurance of
their shared dream to ‘get a little place’ of their own to keep his
morale going in the bleak circumstances of the The Great
Depression

 George is constantly vigilant over Lennie, knowing well his capacity
to get into trouble after their experience in Weed when they had to
leave town after Lennie hung onto a girl’s dress and scared her.
George warns Lennie about Curley and Curley’s wife. When Curley
picks a fight with Lennie, Lennie follows George’s earlier
instructions not to fight back until George says ‘Get him, Lennie!’

 after Lennie accidentally kills Curley’s wife, his main concern is
that George will be mad. George realises that he must end
Lennie’s life to save him from torture at the hands of the vengeful
Curley.Lennie has got him into hot water but he takes
responsibility for keeping Lennie out of trouble one more time by
shooting him in the back of the head with Carlson’s gun

 at the end of the novel, when Slim is comforting George following
Lennie’s death, Carlson says ‘What’s eating them two guys?’ This
shows that the relationship between Lennie and George was
special and that other ranch hands did not understand them and
what they shared.

Question 14

Explore the significance of animals in this novel.

Answer 14

• animals are very significant in the novel. The opening pages describe a water snake swimming in the pool and Steinbeck likens Lennie to a bear with giant paws. Later Curley is compared to a terrier. The title of the novel refers to mice and is based on Robert Burns’s poem so animals are intrinsic to the novel’s meaning and development
• Lennie’s relationship with animals is critical throughout the novel. Early on in the story he pets live mice until, not knowing his own strength, he inadvertently kills them. Lennie continues to pet his mice after they are dead, showing that he does not understand the difference between life and death or that it is not important to him
• Lennie’s fascination with rabbits is evident throughout the novel. His dream is to tend rabbits on the farm that he hopes to have with George one day. His preoccupation is ‘…and I get to tend the rabbits.’ George supports this dream by frequently retelling the story for Lennie. In a surreal moment towards the end of the novel, Lennie sees a vision of a giant rabbit
• Candy’s dog has great significance in the novel because it is his only companion and has been with him for many years. He is proud of the dog, describing its prowess as a sheep dog in its younger years. Carlson pushes for the dog to be put down because of its age and the fact that it smells bad in the bunk house. Candy tries to resist this but even Slim is in favour of the dog being shot. Later in the novel Candy says ‘I should have shot that dog myself.’ The shooting of Candy’s dog foreshadows the death of Lennie later in the novel
• Lennie is delighted to receive one of Slim’s puppies and spends time playing with it in the barn but his unusual strength once again gets the better of him as he accidentally kills the animal
• in terms of deaths, the creatures that die in the novel grow in significance until the death of Lennie at the end. The death of a mouse moves up to that of an old dog, to the puppy, to Curley’s wife and to Lennie himself. Animals can be seen as a continuum of suffering in the novel
• at the very end of the novel, the water snake is killed by a heron showing the circle of life and confirming the novel’s symmetrical structure. This cruel but natural event at the end of the novel is significant in its reflection of life and death.