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

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Of Mice and Men tells a story about an unusual friendship between two workers, set in America during the depression in the 1930s. George and Lennie dream of having a place of their own but first they have to survive other ranches. Main characters George and Lennie camp in the brush, based in the “Gabilan Mountains”, “a few miles south of Soledad”. George is “small and quick” and clearly dominant. Lennie is “his opposite” clumsy and large, similar to a bear. George finds Lennie stroking a dead mouse. George demands for the mouse and he complains that caring for Lennie prevents him from having freedom. We find out that Lennie tried petting a girl's dress, which resulted to them losing their jobs in Weed. However, they are looking for new jobs …show more content…

“The bunk house was a long, rectangular building.” They meet their boss and his son Curley. Curley is aggressive and cold with the boys straight away – especially Lennie, “he glanced coldly at George and then at Lennie… his hands closed into fists.” George is apprehensive of Curley and tells Lennie to stay away from him, “This guy Curley sounds like a son-of-a-bitch to me.” They see Curley's pretty but flirtatious wife and meet some of their colleagues such as Slim and …show more content…

Crooks is alone in his barn room when Lennie joins him. Crooks takes advantage of Lennie’s soft personality and rudely tells him to leave. “Don’t come in a place where you’re not wanted.” They talk about Lennie and George’s dream - Crooks is unconvinced, but when Candy comes in as well, Crooks acts pleased and asks to be part of the plan too. Curley's wife arrives and threatens Crooks. “’Listen Nigger,’ she said. ‘You know what I can do to you if you open your trap?’” Crooks realises he can never really be part of Lennie’s plan due to him being inferior. The next afternoon, Lennie accidentally kills the puppy that Slim had given him by petting it too hard. “Why do you got to get killed? You ain’t so little as mice.” Curley's wife enters the barn and sits with him. After a while she starts talking about her feelings and dreams. “’Coulda been in the movies…” She invites Lennie to stroke her soft hair. He strokes her hair strongly and she begins to panic. As she begins to shout, he also panics and places his hands over her face. Unintentionally he suffocates her and she dies. Scared he runs away, just as George had told him

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