How Does Steinbeck Present Lennie's Intentions In Of Mice And Men

“I’d pet ‘em, and pretty soon they’d bit my fingers and I pinched their heads a little and then they was dead” (Steinbeck 58). Through this quote you can see the way Lennie’s intentions are contrary to the outcomes of his actions. His innocence is revealed by his want for the comfort the mice bring him, but doesn’t think of his strength and unintentionally kills them. Lennie’s inability to see the effects of his actions makes him unable to achieve his aspirations. In of Mice and Men Steinbeck illustrates how no matter the situation of each character, they’re unable to achieve their dreams even with good intentions, and the outcomes of their actions contradict them.

Lennie dwells on the dream of the farm, he yearns for the day that he and

This also shows the overpowering control George has over Lennie’s conscience, and the consequence that Lennie can’t remember his own actions, only the stories George repeats. He is never truly angry with Lennie for his petty mistakes, he is simply thinking of the limitations of their dreams because of Lennie’s unpredictable actions. It seems George can only control Lennie by threatening him with the thing he cares about most which is the farm, “But you ain’t gonna get in no trouble, because if you do, I won’t let you tend the rabbits” he threatens, trying to make Lennie remember the importance of his actions (36). George is constantly complaining that he could have a better life and even have a farm without Lennie to look after, but he also wants a companion. Lennie is often simple minded and easily influenced, but intuitive enough to manipulate George’s loneliness, “If you don’t want me George I can go up in that cave over there and leave,” George quickly denies this saying “No, look I was just foolin’ Lennie, ‘cause I want you to stay with me” (20). It can only be assumed from the way George protects Lennie that he truly is afraid of being alone and becoming an isolated ranch hand in the way he describes to Lennie in his

At first Lennie tries to dodge her advances, but his childlike sense of morality is easily altered. He gives in and strokes her hair, laughing contentedly until she starts to resist and struggle, “Now don’t” he says, covering her mouth, “I don’t want you to yell. You gonna get me in trouble, jus’ like George said” (91). Alarmed and furious that George will find out and be angry with him because he wouldn’t be able to tend the rabbits, he silences her by breaking her neck. This shows that though his intentions were innocent in petting her hair, it can create horrible consequences. Now afraid of what will happen, Lennie runs from the barn and follows the plan they had set up before they arrived at the ranch. Upon seeing George from his hiding spot Lennie says “I done another bad thing.” George replies, “It don’t matter” (98). After asking if he’s going to “give him hell” George denies this. He then asks George to tell him the details of how they will stay together and protect each other, buy a small house, and live their lives freely, just as it’s been told many times before (99). As he begins to tell him the story about the ranch that brings out such joy in Lennie, George deliberates what will happen when Lennie is caught and if he can really control him. He decides to subsequently kill Lennie, shooting him in the back of the