Lennie's Character
Lennie Small is one of the main characters in the 1937 novella Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. He is a ranch-hand alongside his friend George Milton, and is characterised by his incredible strength and his mental disability. Lennie has a child-like innocence, and is fixated with having a safe place to rest and to have rabbits to tend to. He loves to pet soft animals, which leads to tragic consequences. Despite his lack of intelligence, Lennie is a loving and loyal companion to George.
Lennie's Death
At the climax of the novel, Lennie accidentally kills Curley’s wife, forcing George to act quickly to protect his friend. George takes Lennie to a quiet spot near the Salinas river, and tells Lennie to look at the stars and remember the dream of having a farm together. Lennie is confused, not understanding why he can’t go with George. George then tells Lennie that he has to do something for George, and Lennie agrees. George then tells Lennie to look away, and shoots him in the back of the head, killing him instantly. George does this out of mercy for Lennie, as he knows that if Curley finds him, he will most likely be lynched. George’s actions in killing Lennie also save him from a life of misery, as Lennie’s disability would have only caused him more suffering if he had stayed alive.
The Significance of Lennie's Death
Lennie’s death is a pivotal moment in the novella, as it marks the end of the dream of having a farm with animals and companionship. This dream was the only thing that kept George and Lennie going, and without it they have nothing to look forward to. Lennie’s death also serves as a symbol of the death of the American Dream, as the dream of having a farm is a representation of the American Dream of success, freedom and prosperity. Without the dream, George and Lennie are left with nothing but a life of loneliness and toil. Lennie’s death is also a reminder of the inequalities of the era and the powerlessness of the working class, as Lennie’s death goes unpunished and unavenged.
The Impact of Lennie's Death on George
The death of Lennie has a profound impact on George. He is left with a deep sense of sorrow and regret, feeling that he has lost his best friend and his only companion. His life is now devoid of meaning, as the dream of the farm was all that he had to live for. Despite this, George shows incredible strength of character, as he knows that killing Lennie is the only way to protect him from the lynch mob. George also shows immense courage, as he knows that he will now have to face a lonely life on the ranch alone.
The Legacy of Lennie's Death
Lennie’s death is a tragic event, but it is also a reminder of the power of friendship and loyalty. Despite his disability, Lennie was a loyal companion to George, and would have done anything for him. His death is also a reminder of the power of dreams and hope, as it was the dream of a farm that kept George and Lennie going despite their hardships. Finally, Lennie’s death is a reminder of the injustices of the time, as his death goes unpunished and his dream remains unfulfilled.
Conclusion
The death of Lennie in Of Mice and Men is a pivotal moment in the novella, as it marks the death of the dream of having a farm and the death of the American Dream. It is also a reminder of the power of friendship and loyalty, and of the inequalities of the era. Finally, it is a reminder of the power of dreams and hope, and of the courage it takes to carry on in the face of adversity.
