Of Mice and Men --- Dreams and Characters by Samuel Lee

Examine Lennie's character in terms of naturalism. How does his mental disability position him within a naturalistic framework? Is he presented as a victim of circumstance or as a force of nature?

samuellee10 — 2025-01-09 15:49:00 UTC

Lennie is a very innocent person due to his mental disability. He doesn't really understand how his actions will affect others. He runs up to a girl and touches the dress which was probably seen as assault, but to him it was just that the dress reminded him of animal fur. He also doesn't understand his power and accidentally kills many mice. This naturalistic character isn't trying to hide the problems, but writing them out how it is. He is seen more as a victim. His inability to apprehend reality makes him "dumber" in society's standards which also decreases his chances of success. People also take advantage of his kid-like mind. His innocence has consequences, but he doesn't even realize this. He can be a force because of the fact that he makes unwise decisions, but he doesn't even know, but these actions can be perceived as dangerous by others.

1) "'An' she stopped givin' 'em to ya. You always killed 'em" (Steinbeck 9).

2) "'Jus' wanted to feel that girl's dress---jus' wanted to pet it like it was a mouse------ Well how the hell did she know you jus' wanted to feel her dress? She jerks back and you hold on like it was a mouse" (Steinbeck 11).

3) CONTINUATION -- "She yells and we got to hide in a irrigation ditch all day with guys lookin' for us, and we got to sneak out in the dark and get outta the country. All the time, somethin' like that---all the time" (Steinbeck 11).

How does the opening setting of the Salinas River establish a sense of naturalism? Consider the descriptions of nature and how they might foreshadow the characters' fates.

henrymcfeetors3 — 2025-01-09 15:50:17 UTC

The opening setting of the Salinas River establishes a sense of naturalism as it doesn't over exaggerate anything. the Salinas River was simply just illustrated as it is in its true form with no further overstatements. The Salinas River acts as almost like a get away paradise for Lennie and George, as they go out there to hide and sleep from the harsh outside world. George tells Lennie to come back here if he ever gets in too much trouble, which can almost forshadow

How does Georges and Lennie's bond challenge or reinforce the idea of individuals being driven by instinct and environment?

aaronstrow1 — 2025-01-10 15:33:25 UTC

Georges and Lennie's bond challenge or reinforce the idea of individuals being driven by instinct and environment. Due to Lennie's impulsiveness, both him and George were both punished and fired from their jobs. At this moment in the story, both of these characters settings seem grey and hopeless. Although these times may be tough, George and Lennie's Bond reinforce and aid the troubles they are going through. "With us it ain't like that. We got a future. We got somebody to talk to that gives a Damn about us. We dont have to sit in no bar room blowin in our jack jus' because we got no place else to go" George and Lennie's. Although George seems brave and strict, he relies on Lennie for company and for a person to talk to. Lennie has memory issues and relies on George to help him when he's lost in thought. Although their hate for each other is great, they need each other in these troubling times (the Great Depression).