Of Mice and Men(1.1)

Describe and discuss the relationship between George and Lennie. What is it like?

George and Lennie have obviously known each other for a while Lennie seems to need George to help lead him, and George seems to need Lennie for company and couldn't just let him walk off for fear that Lennie wouldn't survive. They seem to be a lot less of companions and a lot more of two people stuck together out of necessity.

Discuss Lennie’s character. How is Lennie compared to different animals and what might Steinbeck be trying to suggest through these comparisons? Give specific examples.

Lennie seems to be large and strong, but also have no intellect. He seems to lack all common sense and relies on George for direction. He seems to often be compared to pack animals which follow, but cannot think for themselves. On page 3, Lennie gets compared to a horse, on page 15, George says, "Good boy" to Lennie like he is some kind of dog. all throughout the book, Lennie is compared similarly to these kinds of animals. I do not know, but my guess is that Steinbeck is suggesting either that sometimes the most capable people let others determine their future, or that given too much order and a person breaks. I will have to read and find out.

What is George and Lennie’s shared dream? What is its significance to their future? (Why is it so important?)

George and Lennie want to get a house with a few animals and a small farm/garden. This gives them the hope and will to live a new day. As far as plot goes, it gives their story meaning. It gives them something to accomplish, and something for them to work for.