Plan why is Lennie significant in the novel
Introduction
Lennie is the most significant character because he is one
of the more prominent characters of the book. His dreams keep the whole book
together.
Key feature of character
·
He is totally defenceless
o
Because of his mental weakness as he is
physically strong
o
Mentally incapable
§
Does not learn from mistakes
§
Does not think before he acts
·
Like an animal
§
Lives in the present
·
Does not worry about the consequences “Lennie,
you gonna be sick like you was last night”
o
Selfish
§
Is not bothered that he has killed a person,
more bothered with rabbits
·
Puts his own “needs” first
·
He is the opposite of George
o
Huge and lumbering vs. small and defined
(George)
o
Often he is described as an animal
§
“paws”, “like a bear drags its paws”
Key events
·
Killing mice
o
Foreshadows problems due to his uncontrollable
strength
·
Fight with Curley (crushing hand)
o
He is getting more destructive this is a human
being
·
Killing puppy
o
Foreshadows below
·
Killing Curley’s wife
o
The ultimate crime- results in his death
o
The point of no return for Lennie
·
Shooting (his death)
o
Reflects Candy’s dog shooting, he lay without a
quiver
o
Climax of the book
Interactions with other characters
·
George
o
Travels with him
o
George understands Lennie the most
o
Shares dreams
o
They complement each other (George mentally
strong, Lennie physically strong)
·
Crooks
o
They complement each other (see above)
o
Bond over weaknesses (both left behind)
o
Brief shared dream
·
Candy
o
Shared dream
o
They complement each other (see above)
o
Bond over weaknesses (both left behind)
Key themes with Lennie
·
Friendship
o
The only lasting human friendship in the book
§
Reflects Candy and his dog- dog dies because it
is useless + “stinks”
§
Makes it significant in the time (migrant
workers etc.)
o
Strongest friendship in the book
·
Dreams
o
He is the key to the dream- he inspires George
to stay with the dream
o
He keeps the dream alive
o
He destroys the dreams by killing Curley’s wife
and Curley’s dreams because of crushing his hand (boxer)
o
His main motivation- tending the rabbits is his
life ambition and he puts it above everything else, losing puppy and killing CW
“George ain’t gonna let me tend no rabbits”
·
Weakness
o
He is mentally weak and physically strong
§
This causes conflict and detachment from
strength
§
He does not know his own strength
·
“Lennie watched in terror”- does not relate to
his own strength
§
He cannot learn from his mistakes
Conclusion
He is the reason that the dreams are born and shattered for
many on the ranch e.g. Candy, George. This makes him the most significant
character. He is also responsible for the main events of the book (Curley’s
hand, Curley’s wife’s death and his own death)
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