1. Compare and contrast the characters of Lennie and George. In what ways are the men similar and in what ways are the men different. How might the story have changed had Lennie not had the mental challenges he had?
George is described to be small but smart whilst Lennie is described to be large and naïve, like a child. “The first man was small and quick, dark of face, with restless eyes and sharp, strong features. Behind him walked his opposite, a huge man, shapeless of face” (2). Lennie makes up for Georges lack of physical strength and George makes up for Lennie’s lack of intellectual strength. As stated in the text, Lennie and George are opposites. George is the leader and Lennie follows. They have total opposite weaknesses and strengths. …show more content…
Fate often leads to tragedy or destruction of one’s dreams. Throughout the novel, you can sense what the fate of some people on the ranch will be, especially Lennie’s fate. For example, once George warns Lennie about not getting into trouble at the ranch, their fate is sealed. From this point on, the reader can tell that their dreams will derail because of Lennie’s inability to stay out of trouble. “But you ain’t gonna get in no trouble, because if you do, I won’t let you tend the rabbits” (16). Another instance of fate would be when Lennie meets Curley. From the moment they meet, one can tell that it won’t end well between them. Curley, from first laying eyes on Lennie hates him. He hates big guys and what frustrates him even more is that Lennie refuses to talk due to George’s command. “Curley’s like a lot of little guys. He hates big guys. He’s alla time picking scraps with big guys” (26). This later on, reveals the fate of Curley, who picks a fight with Lennie and gets his hand crushed in the process. As well as Lennie’s fate because in the end, Curley is the one who wants to kill Lennie. He hates big guys and by killing his wife, Lennie gives Curley a reason to release his anger and kill him. Lastly, the scene where Curley’s wife talks to Lennie is a big instance of fate. Curley’s wife shows up at the barn just when Lennie has killed his puppy. He is still frustrated because of this and when Curley’s wife shows up, he knows he should not talk to her but he does anyways due to what she says: “What kind of harm am I doin’ to you” (88). Yet, she did bring him harm as she also did to herself. He gets distracted by her and he can’t decipher right from wrong. Just when his dreams of getting a house was about to happen, he falls into the trap of
George is described to be small but smart whilst Lennie is described to be large and naïve, like a child. “The first man was small and quick, dark of face, with restless eyes and sharp, strong features. Behind him walked his opposite, a huge man, shapeless of face” (2). Lennie makes up for Georges lack of physical strength and George makes up for Lennie’s lack of intellectual strength. As stated in the text, Lennie and George are opposites. George is the leader and Lennie follows. They have total opposite weaknesses and strengths. …show more content…
Fate often leads to tragedy or destruction of one’s dreams. Throughout the novel, you can sense what the fate of some people on the ranch will be, especially Lennie’s fate. For example, once George warns Lennie about not getting into trouble at the ranch, their fate is sealed. From this point on, the reader can tell that their dreams will derail because of Lennie’s inability to stay out of trouble. “But you ain’t gonna get in no trouble, because if you do, I won’t let you tend the rabbits” (16). Another instance of fate would be when Lennie meets Curley. From the moment they meet, one can tell that it won’t end well between them. Curley, from first laying eyes on Lennie hates him. He hates big guys and what frustrates him even more is that Lennie refuses to talk due to George’s command. “Curley’s like a lot of little guys. He hates big guys. He’s alla time picking scraps with big guys” (26). This later on, reveals the fate of Curley, who picks a fight with Lennie and gets his hand crushed in the process. As well as Lennie’s fate because in the end, Curley is the one who wants to kill Lennie. He hates big guys and by killing his wife, Lennie gives Curley a reason to release his anger and kill him. Lastly, the scene where Curley’s wife talks to Lennie is a big instance of fate. Curley’s wife shows up at the barn just when Lennie has killed his puppy. He is still frustrated because of this and when Curley’s wife shows up, he knows he should not talk to her but he does anyways due to what she says: “What kind of harm am I doin’ to you” (88). Yet, she did bring him harm as she also did to herself. He gets distracted by her and he can’t decipher right from wrong. Just when his dreams of getting a house was about to happen, he falls into the trap of