This document summarises the character of Lennie Smalls in John Steinbeck's 'Of Mice and Men', looking at the contributions that the character makes to the plot and how language and context shape this effect by highlighting key quotations.
Lennie Smalls
- Huge; shapeless face, large and pale eyes, wide and sloping shoulders
- Heavy walk (and slow speech) – highlight slowness: “the way a bear drags his paws”
- Follows George: “nearly ran over [George]”
- Childlike carelessness + fearlessness: “flung himself… drank from green pool”
- Bear imagery: “big paw” / “the way a bear drags his paws”
- Strong, and unaware of strength: “I pinched their heads… and they was dead”
- Imitation = flattery (@ George): “imitated George exactly” / “pulled hat down the way
George’s was”
- Adamant to prove himself to George: “tried and tried” / “exploded triumphantly”
- Afraid of George, like child of parent: “looked timidly over” / “startled… hid face against
knees” / “voice broke”
- Ashamed/scared when George sneers: “face drawn with terror”
- Childlike attempts at outsmarting/manipulating George: “aint got a thing in my pocket” /
“What mouse?” / “sensed advantage” / “cus I can jus’ as well go away and leave you
alone”
- Childlike attraction to soft things: “I could pet [the mouse]” / “Let’s have different colour
rabbits” / “Jus’ wanted to feel that girl’s dress” – George mimicking Lennie”
- Weak memory – unable to remember own Aunt Clara, why they left last ranch
- Follows George’s orders like child does for parent
- Eager to please George: “I’d leave it all for you” / “You want I should go away and leave
you alone?” / “I aint gonna say a word”
- Likes hearing about their American Dream over and over because weak memory; just as
excited about rabbits each time.
- Able to sense atmosphere/Curly’s reaction to him: “I don’t want no trouble.” “Don’t let
him sock me.” P32
- Attracted to CW: “watched her, fascinated”, “eyes moved down…her body”, “She’s
purty” p35
- Attacked by Curley, confused so exerts 2 much power: “watched in terror the flopping
little man he held” p71
- Agrees to keep secret b/c inferiority complex: “I won’t tell” p73
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