Powerpoint presentation

Marianne Østensen

Pedagogisk senter/Kristiansand kommune

John John SteinbeckSteinbeck

Was born on February Was born on February 2727thth 1902 in Salinas 1902 in Salinas Valley in the state of Valley in the state of California in the USACalifornia in the USA

Died on December Died on December 2020thth 1968 in New York 1968 in New York

Was a famous writerWas a famous writer

U.S. Postage stamp

The Nobel The Nobel Prize for Prize for

LiteratureLiterature

In 1962 the Swedish Academy In 1962 the Swedish Academy awarded John Steinbeck the awarded John Steinbeck the Nobel Prize for Literature, the Nobel Prize for Literature, the highest honour a writer can highest honour a writer can receivereceive

The prize was presented for the The prize was presented for the body of his workbody of his work

The prize was met with outcries The prize was met with outcries from critics who felt that from critics who felt that Steinbeck had limited talent Steinbeck had limited talent and was a writer of propagandaand was a writer of propaganda

Privately, he felt he did not Privately, he felt he did not deserve the honourdeserve the honour

Although the prize gave Although the prize gave Steinbeck a place of great Steinbeck a place of great honour in the literary world, it honour in the literary world, it also put terrible pressure on his also put terrible pressure on his future writingfuture writing

The United States Medal of The United States Medal of FreedomFreedom

The medal is the The medal is the highest civilian highest civilian award for award for distinguished distinguished AmericansAmericans

In September of In September of 1964, John 1964, John Steinbeck was Steinbeck was awarded the awarded the United States United States Medal of Medal of Freedom by Freedom by President Lyndon President Lyndon B. JohnsonB. Johnson Steinbeck with his son, visits President

Lyndon B. Johnson in the Oval Office of the White House

The California The California NovelsNovels

The Pastures of HeavenThe Pastures of HeavenThe Red PonyThe Red Pony

To A God UnknownTo A God UnknownTortilla FlatTortilla Flat

In Dubious BattleIn Dubious BattleOf Mice And Men Of Mice And Men

(1937)(1937)The Long ValleyThe Long Valley

The Grapes Of WrathThe Grapes Of WrathCannery RowCannery RowEast Of EdenEast Of Eden

Sweet ThursdaySweet Thursday

Stage Play

Of Mice and Of Mice and MenMen

was published in 1937was published in 1937 was a popular and was a popular and

critical successcritical success was selected by the was selected by the

Book-of-the-Month ClubBook-of-the-Month Club SteinbeckSteinbeck produced a produced a

play version of the book play version of the book with famous playwright with famous playwright George KaufmanGeorge Kaufman

The play won the New The play won the New York Drama Critic York Drama Critic Circle’s Award and also Circle’s Award and also became a popular filmbecame a popular film

Place of Place of ActionAction

Place of action Place of action is in the state is in the state of Californiaof California

We remember We remember that Steinbeck that Steinbeck himself was himself was born in born in SalinasSalinas

SoledadSoledad is a is a coastal coastal California city California city about 130 about 130 miles south of miles south of San FranciscoSan Francisco

Place of actionPlace of action

The American DreamThe American Dream & The& The Great Great DepressionDepression

From the 17th Century, when the first settlers arrived, immigrants From the 17th Century, when the first settlers arrived, immigrants dreamed of a better life in America. dreamed of a better life in America.

People went there to escape from persecution or poverty, and to People went there to escape from persecution or poverty, and to make a new life for themselves or their families. make a new life for themselves or their families.

They dreamed of making their fortunes in the goldfields. They dreamed of making their fortunes in the goldfields. For many the dream became a nightmare. For many the dream became a nightmare. The horrors of slavery, of the American Civil War, the growth of The horrors of slavery, of the American Civil War, the growth of

towns with slums as bad as those in Europe, and the corruption of towns with slums as bad as those in Europe, and the corruption of the American political system led to many shattered hopes. the American political system led to many shattered hopes.

For the American society as a whole the dream ended with For the American society as a whole the dream ended with the the Wall Street crash of 1929Wall Street crash of 1929. .

This was the start of This was the start of the Great Depressionthe Great Depression that would affect the that would affect the whole world during the 1930’s. whole world during the 1930’s.

However the dream survived for individuals. Thousands made their However the dream survived for individuals. Thousands made their way west to California to escape from their farmlands in the mid-way west to California to escape from their farmlands in the mid-West. West.

George and Lennie dreamt of their 'little house and a couple of George and Lennie dreamt of their 'little house and a couple of acres'. acres'.

The growing popularity of cinema was the last American Dream for The growing popularity of cinema was the last American Dream for many, Curley's wife was one: 'Coulda been in the movies, an' had many, Curley's wife was one: 'Coulda been in the movies, an' had nice clothes.'nice clothes.'

Migrant Migrant Farm Farm

WorkerWorkerss

During the 1930’s, when there was very During the 1930’s, when there was very bad unemployment in the United States, bad unemployment in the United States, agencies were set up under the New agencies were set up under the New Deal to send farm-workers to where Deal to send farm-workers to where they were needed. George and Lennie they were needed. George and Lennie got their work cards from Murray and got their work cards from Murray and Ready's, one of these agencies. Ready's, one of these agencies.

Farm workers getting work cards under a Government Scheme

Why Why Of Mice and MenOf Mice and Men??

The title of the novel comes from a poem The title of the novel comes from a poem by the Scottish poet Robert Burns (1759 - by the Scottish poet Robert Burns (1759 - 96):96):

The best laid schemes o' mice and menThe best laid schemes o' mice and menGang aft agley Gang aft agley [often go wrong][often go wrong]And leave us nought but grief and painAnd leave us nought but grief and painFor promised joy!For promised joy!

www.englishresouces.co.uk

Gary Sinise plays Gary Sinise plays George, and also George, and also directed the film. directed the film.

"I walked in this kid "I walked in this kid with open eyes, and with open eyes, and walked out with walked out with very wet eyes..."very wet eyes..." Gary SiniseGary Sinise

Gary SiniseDirector and Director and

ActorActor

Synopsis Synopsis (sammendrag)(sammendrag)

John Steinbeck's John Steinbeck's classic story of loyalty classic story of loyalty and friendship and friendship focuses on two focuses on two travelling farm travelling farm workers, George and workers, George and Lennie. George has Lennie. George has taken on taken on responsibility for the responsibility for the mildly retarded mildly retarded Lennie, who Lennie, who constantly seems to constantly seems to fall into trouble of one fall into trouble of one sort or another. sort or another. 

George and Lennie George and Lennie don't plan to travel don't plan to travel forever - someday, forever - someday, they will have a little they will have a little place of their own... place of their own...

John Malkovichas the mildly mentally

retarded Lennie

Lennie Lennie loves to loves to touch touch soft soft things.things.

Lennie and Curley’s wifeLennie and Curley’s wife

Sherilyn Fenn

John Malkowich

CharactersCharacters

He is a small man, but has brains and a He is a small man, but has brains and a quick wit. quick wit.

He has been a good friend to Lennie, ever He has been a good friend to Lennie, ever since he promised Lennie's Aunt Clara that since he promised Lennie's Aunt Clara that he would care for him. He looks after all he would care for him. He looks after all Lennie's affairs, such as carrying his work Lennie's affairs, such as carrying his work card, and tries to steer him out of potential card, and tries to steer him out of potential trouble. trouble.

He needs Lennie as a friend, not only He needs Lennie as a friend, not only because Lennie's strength helps to get because Lennie's strength helps to get them both jobs, but so as not to be lonely. them both jobs, but so as not to be lonely. His threats to leave Lennie are not really His threats to leave Lennie are not really serious. He is genuinely proud of Lennie. serious. He is genuinely proud of Lennie.

He shares a dream with Lennie to own a He shares a dream with Lennie to own a piece of land and is prepared to work hard piece of land and is prepared to work hard to build up the money needed to buy it. to build up the money needed to buy it.

"...with us it ain't like that. We got a future. "...with us it ain't like that. We got a future. We got somebody to talk to that gives a We got somebody to talk to that gives a damn about us. We don't have to sit in no damn about us. We don't have to sit in no bar room blowin' in our jack 'jus because bar room blowin' in our jack 'jus because we got no place else to go. If them other we got no place else to go. If them other guys gets in jail they can rot for all guys gets in jail they can rot for all anybody gives a damn. But not us." anybody gives a damn. But not us."

He is honest with people he trusts. For He is honest with people he trusts. For example, he tells Slim that he used to play example, he tells Slim that he used to play tricks on Lennie when they were young, tricks on Lennie when they were young, but now feels guilty about it as Lennie but now feels guilty about it as Lennie nearly drowned. nearly drowned.

George Milton

He is a big man, in contrast to his name. He is a big man, in contrast to his name. He has limited intelligence, so he relies He has limited intelligence, so he relies

on George to look after him. on George to look after him. "Behind him(George)walked his opposite, "Behind him(George)walked his opposite,

a huge man, shapeless of face, with a huge man, shapeless of face, with large, pale eyes, with wide, sloping large, pale eyes, with wide, sloping shoulders; and he walked heavily, shoulders; and he walked heavily, dragging his feet a little, the way a bear dragging his feet a little, the way a bear drags his paws. His arms did not swing at drags his paws. His arms did not swing at his sides, but hung loosely." his sides, but hung loosely."

He shares a dream with George to own a He shares a dream with George to own a piece of land. Lennie's special job would piece of land. Lennie's special job would be to tend the rabbits be to tend the rabbits

He likes to pet soft things, like puppies He likes to pet soft things, like puppies and dead mice. We know this got him and dead mice. We know this got him into trouble in Weed when he tried to feel into trouble in Weed when he tried to feel a girl's soft red dress: she thought he a girl's soft red dress: she thought he was going to attack her. was going to attack her.

He can be forgetful - George continually He can be forgetful - George continually has to remind him about important has to remind him about important things. things.

He is very gentle and kind, and would He is very gentle and kind, and would never harm anyone or anything never harm anyone or anything deliberately. deliberately.

He is extremely strong: he can work as He is extremely strong: he can work as well as two men at bucking barley. well as two men at bucking barley.

He is often described as a child or an He is often described as a child or an animal - he drinks from the pool like a animal - he drinks from the pool like a horse and his huge hands are described horse and his huge hands are described as paws. as paws.

Lennie Small

Slim is the Slim is the jerkline skinnerjerkline skinner (lead (lead mule-team driver) at the ranch. He mule-team driver) at the ranch. He is excellent at his job. is excellent at his job.

He is the natural leader at the He is the natural leader at the ranch. Everyone respects his views ranch. Everyone respects his views and looks up to him. and looks up to him.

He has a quiet dignity: he doesn't He has a quiet dignity: he doesn't need to assert himself to have need to assert himself to have authority. authority.

"there was a gravity in his manner "there was a gravity in his manner and a quiet so profound that all talk and a quiet so profound that all talk stopped when he spoke. His stopped when he spoke. His authority was so great that his word authority was so great that his word was taken on any subject, be it was taken on any subject, be it politics or love." politics or love."

He understands the relationship He understands the relationship between George and Lennie. He between George and Lennie. He helps George at the end and helps George at the end and reassures George that he did the reassures George that he did the right thing. right thing.

We know little else about him, We know little else about him, which gives him a slightly which gives him a slightly mysterious quality. Do you think he mysterious quality. Do you think he is too good to be true? is too good to be true?

Slim

Curley is the boss's son, Curley is the boss's son, so he doesn't need to so he doesn't need to work like the ordinary work like the ordinary ranch hands, and he has ranch hands, and he has time to kill. time to kill.

He's little - so he hates He's little - so he hates big guys. big guys.

He is a prize-fighter and He is a prize-fighter and looks for opportunities looks for opportunities for a fight. for a fight.

He is newly- married and He is newly- married and is very possessive of his is very possessive of his wife - but he still visits wife - but he still visits brothels. brothels.

There is a rumour that There is a rumour that he wears a glove filled he wears a glove filled with Vaseline to keep his with Vaseline to keep his hand soft for his wife. hand soft for his wife.

Curley

She is newly married to Curley. She is newly married to Curley. We never know her name - she is We never know her name - she is

merely Curley's 'property' with no merely Curley's 'property' with no individual identity. individual identity.

She is young, pretty, wears She is young, pretty, wears attractive clothes and curls her attractive clothes and curls her hair. hair.

She seems flirtatious and is always She seems flirtatious and is always hanging around the bunk-house. hanging around the bunk-house.

She is lonely - there are no other She is lonely - there are no other women to talk to. Curley is not women to talk to. Curley is not really interested in her. really interested in her.

She doesn't like Curley - she tells She doesn't like Curley - she tells Lennie that she only married him Lennie that she only married him when she didn't receive a letter when she didn't receive a letter she'd been promised to get into she'd been promised to get into Hollywood. Hollywood.

She is naive. She is naive.

Curley’s wife

CrooksCrooks Crooks is the black stable hand or Crooks is the black stable hand or buckbuck. . He is the only permanent employee at He is the only permanent employee at

the ranch, since he injured his back in an the ranch, since he injured his back in an accident. accident.

He is the only black man around and is He is the only black man around and is isolated by his colour. isolated by his colour.

He is always called the 'nigger' by the He is always called the 'nigger' by the men, which shows how racism is taken men, which shows how racism is taken for granted. The men don't mean to insult for granted. The men don't mean to insult Crooks every time they call him this, but Crooks every time they call him this, but they never think to use his name. they never think to use his name.

He is lonely. He is lonely. "S'pose you didn't have nobody. S'pose "S'pose you didn't have nobody. S'pose

you couldn't go into the bunk house and you couldn't go into the bunk house and play rummy 'cause you were black...A play rummy 'cause you were black...A guy needs somebody-to be near him....I guy needs somebody-to be near him....I tell ya a guy gets too lonely an' he gets tell ya a guy gets too lonely an' he gets sick." sick."

The only time he mixes with the ranch The only time he mixes with the ranch hands socially is when they pitch hands socially is when they pitch horseshoes - and then he beats horseshoes - and then he beats everyone! everyone!

He has his own room near the stables. He He has his own room near the stables. He has books, which show he is intelligent has books, which show he is intelligent and an old copy of the California Civil and an old copy of the California Civil Code, which suggests he is concerned Code, which suggests he is concerned about his rights. about his rights.

He has seen many men come and go, all He has seen many men come and go, all dreaming of buying a piece of land. dreaming of buying a piece of land.

CandyCandy Candy is the oldest ranch hand. He lost Candy is the oldest ranch hand. He lost his right hand in an accident at work. his right hand in an accident at work.

He is the 'swamper' - the man who He is the 'swamper' - the man who cleans the bunkhouse. He knows he will cleans the bunkhouse. He knows he will be thrown out and put 'on the county' be thrown out and put 'on the county' when he is too old to work. when he is too old to work.

Because of this, he accepts what goes Because of this, he accepts what goes on and doesn't challenge anything: he on and doesn't challenge anything: he can't afford to lose his job. can't afford to lose his job.

He has a very old dog, which he has had He has a very old dog, which he has had from a pup. It is his only friend and from a pup. It is his only friend and companion. companion.

Carlson insists on shooting the dog Carlson insists on shooting the dog because he claims it is too old and ill to because he claims it is too old and ill to be of any use. Candy is devastated. be of any use. Candy is devastated.

He is lonely and isolated, but makes He is lonely and isolated, but makes friends with George and Lennie and friends with George and Lennie and offers his compensation money to help offers his compensation money to help them all to buy a ranch together and them all to buy a ranch together and achieve their dream. achieve their dream.

When he finds Curley's wife dead, he is When he finds Curley's wife dead, he is furious, as he knows instantly that furious, as he knows instantly that Lennie was involved and that they have Lennie was involved and that they have lost their chance of achieving their lost their chance of achieving their dream. dream.

The Themes of the NovelThe Themes of the Novel The novel is a parable The novel is a parable (lignelse)(lignelse) that tries to that tries to

explain what it means to be humanexplain what it means to be human Essentially, man is a very small part of a very Essentially, man is a very small part of a very

large universelarge universe In the greater scheme of things, individuals In the greater scheme of things, individuals

come and go and leave very little, lasting markcome and go and leave very little, lasting mark Yet deep inside all people are longing for a Yet deep inside all people are longing for a

place in nature – the desire for the land, roots, place in nature – the desire for the land, roots, and a place to call ”home”and a place to call ”home”

The struggle for such a place is universal, and The struggle for such a place is universal, and its success is uncertainits success is uncertain

Steinbeck’s vision of what it means to be Steinbeck’s vision of what it means to be human, touches on several themes:human, touches on several themes:

1.1. The nature of dreamsThe nature of dreams

2.2. The nature of lonelinessThe nature of loneliness

3.3. Man’s propensity Man’s propensity (hang, tilbøyelighet)(hang, tilbøyelighet) for crueltyfor cruelty

4.4. Powerlessness and economic Powerlessness and economic injusticesinjustices

5.5. The uncertainty of the futureThe uncertainty of the future

The Nature of DreamsThe Nature of Dreams Of Mice and Men Of Mice and Men is as much a story about the is as much a story about the

nature of human dreams and aspirations as it is nature of human dreams and aspirations as it is the story of two menthe story of two men

Humans give meaning to their lives – and to Humans give meaning to their lives – and to their futures – by creating dreamstheir futures – by creating dreams

Without dreams and goals, life is an endless Without dreams and goals, life is an endless stream of days that have little connection or stream of days that have little connection or meaningmeaning

George and Lennie’s dream is to own a little George and Lennie’s dream is to own a little farm of their ownfarm of their own

The telling of the story (dream) becomes a The telling of the story (dream) becomes a ritual between the two menritual between the two men

The Last Telling of the The Last Telling of the Story...Story...

...’We gonna get a little place,’ George began. He reached in his side ...’We gonna get a little place,’ George began. He reached in his side pocket and brought out Carlson’s Luger. He snapped off the the safety, pocket and brought out Carlson’s Luger. He snapped off the the safety, and the hand and gun lay on the ground behind Lennie’s back. He and the hand and gun lay on the ground behind Lennie’s back. He looked at the back of Lennie’s head, at the place where the spine and looked at the back of Lennie’s head, at the place where the spine and the skull were joined.the skull were joined.

A man’s voice called from up the river, and another man A man’s voice called from up the river, and another man answered.answered.

’’Go on,’ said Lennie.Go on,’ said Lennie.George raised his gun and his hand shook, and he dropped his George raised his gun and his hand shook, and he dropped his

hand to the ground again.hand to the ground again.’’Go on,’ said Lennie. ’How’s it gonna be. We gonna get a little Go on,’ said Lennie. ’How’s it gonna be. We gonna get a little

place.’place.’’’We’ll have a cow,’ said George. ’And we’ll have maybe a pig We’ll have a cow,’ said George. ’And we’ll have maybe a pig

and chickens...and down the flat we’ll have a...little piece of alfalfa...’and chickens...and down the flat we’ll have a...little piece of alfalfa...’’’For the rabbits,’ Lennie shouted.For the rabbits,’ Lennie shouted.’’For the rabbits,’ George repeated.For the rabbits,’ George repeated.’’And I get to tend the rabbits.’And I get to tend the rabbits.’’’And you get to tend the rabbits.’And you get to tend the rabbits.’Lennie giggled with happiness. ’And live on the fat of the land.’Lennie giggled with happiness. ’And live on the fat of the land.’

The Nature of Dreams...The Nature of Dreams... To To GeorgeGeorge, his dream of having their own place , his dream of having their own place

means independence, security, being his own means independence, security, being his own boss, and, most importantly, being ”somebody”boss, and, most importantly, being ”somebody”

To To LennieLennie, the dream is like the soft animals he , the dream is like the soft animals he pets: it means security, the responsibility of pets: it means security, the responsibility of tending the rabbits, and a sanctuary tending the rabbits, and a sanctuary (tilfluktssted)(tilfluktssted) where he won’t be afraidwhere he won’t be afraid

To To CandyCandy, the dream of the farm offers security , the dream of the farm offers security for old age and a home where he will fit infor old age and a home where he will fit in

For For CrooksCrooks, the farm will be a place where he , the farm will be a place where he can have self-respect, acceptance, and securitycan have self-respect, acceptance, and security

For George, Lennie, Candy, and Crooks–For George, Lennie, Candy, and Crooks–human human dignity is an integral dignity is an integral (vesentlig)(vesentlig) part of the part of the dreamdream

LonelinessLoneliness Humans crave contact with others to give life Humans crave contact with others to give life

meaningmeaning Loneliness is present throughout the novel Loneliness is present throughout the novel

- the ranch hands go into town to ease their - the ranch hands go into town to ease their loneliness with alcohol and womenloneliness with alcohol and women- Lennie goes into Crooks’s room to find - Lennie goes into Crooks’s room to find

someone someone to talk toto talk to- Curley’s wife comes for the same reason- Curley’s wife comes for the same reason

Crooks says: ”A guy goes nuts if he ain’t got Crooks says: ”A guy goes nuts if he ain’t got nobody. Don’t make no difference who the guy is, nobody. Don’t make no difference who the guy is, long’s he’s with you.”long’s he’s with you.”

Slim mentions: ”I seen the guys that go around on Slim mentions: ”I seen the guys that go around on the ranches alone. That ain’t no good. They don’t the ranches alone. That ain’t no good. They don’t have no fun. After a long time they get mean.” have no fun. After a long time they get mean.”

Loneliness...Loneliness...George’s taking care of Lennie and the George’s taking care of Lennie and the

dream of the farm are the attempts to dream of the farm are the attempts to break the pattern of loneliness that is break the pattern of loneliness that is part of the human conditionpart of the human condition

Similarily, Lennie’s desire to pet soft Similarily, Lennie’s desire to pet soft things comes from the need to feel safe things comes from the need to feel safe and secure, to touch something that and secure, to touch something that gives him that feeling of not being alone gives him that feeling of not being alone in the world. For Lennie, the dream of in the world. For Lennie, the dream of the farm parallels that securitythe farm parallels that security

The theme of loneliness is also notably The theme of loneliness is also notably present in the characters of Candy, present in the characters of Candy, Crooks, and Curley’s wife. How?Crooks, and Curley’s wife. How?

Loneliness...Loneliness... CandyCandy: Candy’s dog stopped Candy from : Candy’s dog stopped Candy from

being lonelybeing lonely Curley’s wifeCurley’s wife: Her husband has forbidden : Her husband has forbidden

anyone to talk to her. She combats her anyone to talk to her. She combats her loneliness by flirting with the ranch handsloneliness by flirting with the ranch hands

CrooksCrooks: Crooks is isolated because of his : Crooks is isolated because of his skin colour. As the only black man on the skin colour. As the only black man on the ranch, he is not allowed into the bunkhouse ranch, he is not allowed into the bunkhouse with the others. He combats with the others. He combats (kjemper mot)(kjemper mot) his his loneliness with books and his work.loneliness with books and his work.

Loneliness...Loneliness...

SolidadeSolidade: The name of the town : The name of the town means ”solitude” or ”alone”means ”solitude” or ”alone”

BarriersBarriers

Despite the need for Despite the need for companionship, people set up companionship, people set up barriers that maintain lonelinessbarriers that maintain loneliness

People sustain People sustain (opprettholder)(opprettholder) those those barriers by being inhumane to barriers by being inhumane to each othereach other

Barriers...Barriers...A barrier based on genderA barrier based on gender: The real : The real

thing that isolates Curley’s wife is that thing that isolates Curley’s wife is that she is a female in an all-male worldshe is a female in an all-male world

A barrier based on raceA barrier based on race: Crooks : Crooks being an Afro-American must occupy a being an Afro-American must occupy a room in the stable alone. He is not room in the stable alone. He is not welcome in the bunkhousewelcome in the bunkhouse

A barrier based on age and A barrier based on age and handicaphandicap: Candy is afraid of being : Candy is afraid of being thrown out because of his age and thrown out because of his age and handicap. He is a victim of a society that handicap. He is a victim of a society that does not value age and discriminates does not value age and discriminates against handicaps.against handicaps.

PowerlessnessPowerlessness

Steinbeck’s characters are often Steinbeck’s characters are often underdogsunderdogs

He shows compassion He shows compassion (medfølelse)(medfølelse) toward toward them throughout his body of writingsthem throughout his body of writings

A pile of mice and men

Powerlessness...Powerlessness...

Powerlessness takes many forms:Powerlessness takes many forms:

- intellectual- intellectual

- financial- financial

- societal- societalSteinbeck touches them allSteinbeck touches them allWhich characters represent the Which characters represent the

different forms of powerlessness?different forms of powerlessness?

Literary Device – Animal Literary Device – Animal ImageryImagery

LennieLennie is often compared to a bear with his huge size and is often compared to a bear with his huge size and

strengthstrength ’’s hands are described as pawss hands are described as paws is always associated with rabbits and miceis always associated with rabbits and mice snorts like a horse at the streamsnorts like a horse at the stream Circles like a terrier when he does not want to Circles like a terrier when he does not want to

bring the dead mouse to Georgebring the dead mouse to George

These animal images lead careful readers to These animal images lead careful readers to question Lennie’s future. With his enormous question Lennie’s future. With his enormous strength and his lack of intelligence, common strength and his lack of intelligence, common sense, and responsibility, Lennie causes the reader sense, and responsibility, Lennie causes the reader to wonder how well he fits into human society.to wonder how well he fits into human society.