Innocence is often misunderstood. People have their own ideas on what innocence truly is and its effect on human relationships. Of Mice and Men, a novella by John Steinbeck, is about two men by the names of George and Lennie. Due to a pervious mistake on behalf of Lennie, both George and Lennie leave town so Lennie does not get in trouble. Lennie is a very innocent character and when in Weed, he still continues to make mistakes. In the novella Of Mice and Men, there is a character named Lennie who is very innocent. Many of the characters see his innocence and ignore many of the generally questionable qualities about him. Lennie’s character shows that innocence can be dangerous and harmful to other people and things.
Innocence does not …show more content…
In Of Mice and Men: A Story of Innocence Retained, the author says, "To participate in his predicament, and to raise a troubling question about the economy of guilt: one man's innocence may require another man's guilt," (McEntyre, Chandler). Lennie is freed of responsibility because George does not allow Lennie to suffer the consequences of his actions. George constantly helps Lennie flee and run away from his wrong doings. By doing so, Lennie never learns from his mistakes and cannot grow as a person. Another quote supporting the same concept comes from Of Mice and Men. George responds to Slim saying that Lennie is just like a kid, "Sure, he's jes' like a kid" (Steinbeck 43). When George agrees with Slim that Lennie is like a little kid, it takes some of the responsibility off of Lennie. Kids are often not punished as hard as adults are due to their innocence and not knowing better. The reality is that Lennie is not a child, but he is being treated as if he were one. George also tells Slim, "Just wants to feel it. So he reaches out to feel this red dress an' the girl lets out a squawk, and that gets Lennie all mixed up..." (Steinbeck 41). In this conversation George explains why George and Lennie came to Weed and what happened to them in their past. George tells Slim about Lennie’s obsession with touching soft things and almost harming someone doing so. The way George words the story seems as if he is trying to take some of the responsibility off of Lennie. A final instance where George does not let Lennie suffer the consequences in last chapter of the book. The Lynch mob is looking for Lennie because Lennie killed Curley’s Wife. George knows what is to come so he kills him. The text reads, "And George raised the gun and steadied it, and he brought the muzzle of it close to the back of Lennie's head. The hand shook violently, but his face set and his hand
Innocence does not …show more content…
In Of Mice and Men: A Story of Innocence Retained, the author says, "To participate in his predicament, and to raise a troubling question about the economy of guilt: one man's innocence may require another man's guilt," (McEntyre, Chandler). Lennie is freed of responsibility because George does not allow Lennie to suffer the consequences of his actions. George constantly helps Lennie flee and run away from his wrong doings. By doing so, Lennie never learns from his mistakes and cannot grow as a person. Another quote supporting the same concept comes from Of Mice and Men. George responds to Slim saying that Lennie is just like a kid, "Sure, he's jes' like a kid" (Steinbeck 43). When George agrees with Slim that Lennie is like a little kid, it takes some of the responsibility off of Lennie. Kids are often not punished as hard as adults are due to their innocence and not knowing better. The reality is that Lennie is not a child, but he is being treated as if he were one. George also tells Slim, "Just wants to feel it. So he reaches out to feel this red dress an' the girl lets out a squawk, and that gets Lennie all mixed up..." (Steinbeck 41). In this conversation George explains why George and Lennie came to Weed and what happened to them in their past. George tells Slim about Lennie’s obsession with touching soft things and almost harming someone doing so. The way George words the story seems as if he is trying to take some of the responsibility off of Lennie. A final instance where George does not let Lennie suffer the consequences in last chapter of the book. The Lynch mob is looking for Lennie because Lennie killed Curley’s Wife. George knows what is to come so he kills him. The text reads, "And George raised the gun and steadied it, and he brought the muzzle of it close to the back of Lennie's head. The hand shook violently, but his face set and his hand