Friday, May 25, 2012

What are three descriptive quotes describing both Lennie's and George's character in Chapter 1 of the book Of Mice and Men?

What is key to the presentation of both George and Lennie
in Chapter 1 is the animal imagery that Steinbeck uses to describe them, and, more
importantly, the relationship between them. Consider the first description we are given
of their differences:


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The first man was small and quick, dark of face,
with restless eyes and sharp, strong features. Every part of him was defined: small,
strong hands, slender arms, a thin and bony nose. Behind him walked his opposite, a huge
man, shapeless of face, with large, pale eyes, with wide, sloping shoulders; and he
walked heavily, dragging his feet a little, the way a bear drags his paws. His arms did
not swing at his sides, but hung
loosely.



Firstly, the fact
that George leads the way is highly significant. Lennie is a character who always
follows and never leads. The description of Lennie as a bear indicates both his
incredible strength, but also the low level of intelligence that he has. These
impressions are confirmed as the chapter progresses. For example, when Lennie throws
himself down to drink from a pool with "long gulps, snorting into the water like a
horse" it is George who has to stop him from making himself sick. Also note the use of
animal imagery again to describe Lennie. Steinbeck refers to Lennie's hands as "paws" in
this chapter, reinforcing the bear-like imagery, and always we see George in the role of
protector and carer of Lennie - although he is smaller than George, it is he who has the
brains.

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