How Lennie Is Portrayed in the First Chapter Essay

To begin with, Steinbeck describes Lennies physical features to be very animal-like. He states that he walked the way a bear drags his paws. The use of animal resourcefulness in this quote illustrates an image of a huge man heavily dragging himself, not only suggesting his size plainly likewise suggesting his immense strength. payable to his physicality, he is unable to carry out tasks normal people would be able to do. He is unable to control himself, specifically his strengththus considerably breaking things.Steinbeck emphasizes this as he brings up incidents of Lennie having killed mice and separate small, fragile animals, while petting them. Lennie is also described to have an animals mental state, magnetic dip towards animal instincts rather than human instincts. Steinbeck states hed drink out of a gutter if he was thirsty, displaying Lennies rash behaviour. His urge to satisfy his immediate desire would overpower the need to be cautious and aw ar of his surroundings. M any people think before they act. In Lennies case however, he doesnt think at all as George does it for him.Lennie was snorting into the water like a horse which also proves his uncivilized manner. Furthermore, Lennies animal instincts prevent him from universe able to learn. Like wild animals, he is uncontrollable and unpredictable though he may be trained and taught not to do some things, they are bound to commit the same mistakes over and over again. Steinbeck states that George had hopelessly warned Lennie about the water he was drinking, proving that Georges warnings will not affect Lennie in any way as he is bound to forgethe will never learn.Not only is Lennies mental behaviour similar to an animal, but it is also similar to a child. Lennie is described to be puzzled and thathe giggled happily at some parts of their conversation, showing that he is unaware and immature. He eer forgets everything very easily and doesnt sense the seriousness in some of their conversationsshow ing that his maturity is like of a 6 year-old, who needs constant reminding and explaining of close every matter discussed. Steinbeck states that after Lennie created ripples in the water with his fingers, he said Look George, look what I done.He is easily impressed at the ripples he made and notifies George of his work to make him proud. Lennies child-like character also depicts a father/son relationship between Lennie and George. Earlier in the book, it is stated that Lennies closed hand slowly obeyed after George had commanded Lennie to hand over a dead mouse. The adverb slowly shows that though Lennie was reluctant to follow Georges orders, he had no choice but to obey him. Like an obedient son who must follow his father, Lennie fears Georgethe paternal figureconveying Georges authority over Lennie. reinforcement this, Lennies timid behaviour towards George is constantly portrayed as he is described to be speaking slowly and cautiously to Georgeindicating Lennies high train of respect for George. As a son would look up to his father, Lennie also sees George as his portion model and a leader. Steinbeck portrays Lennie as submissivegiving him the role of the follower between the two main characters. Lennie is said to have imitated George exactly proving that he sees George as a role model. He imitates George, depicting his respect for him. Lennie also prioritizes him and whatever he says.This is seen when he tries to recall a memory from the past saying, and you saysyou says. It is conveyed through this quote that he is dependent on George as he determine Georges opinions more than his opinions. Supporting the fact that Lennie is dependent on George, George says, think Id let you carry your own work card? This proves that George is a lot more responsible than Lennie, who constantly forgets things. Steinbeck also states in the beginning of the book that they walked in a single file, conveying that one is the leader and the other is the follower. Their r elationship evidently highlights Georges authority over Lennie.