Of Mice and Men
Archetypal Literary Theory
Lennie Small from, Of Mice and Men, a novel by John Steinbeck, only wants to be happy; his dream is to raise several rabbits on a farm with his companion, George. In this book he plays the innocent role, always listening to what George has to say, yet not having a clue of what is going on around him. Society viewed Lennie as incoherent, but feared him for his size. Steinbeck argues innocence means the person is weak and vulnerable leading to their downfall. |
The InnocentLennie SmallPassage 1: "George looked over at Slim and saw the calm, Godlike eyes fastened on him. 'Funny,' said George. 'I used to have a hell of a lot of fun with 'im. Used to play jokes on 'im 'cause he was too dumb to take care of 'imself. But he was too dumb even to know he had a joke played on him. I had fun. Made me seem God damn smart alongside of him. Why he'd do any damn thing I tol' him. If I tol' him to walk over a cliff, over he'd go. That wasn't so damn much fun after a while. He never got mad about it, neither. I've beat the hell outa him, and he coulda bust every bone in my body jus' with his han's, but he never lifted a finger against me.' George's voice was taking on the tone of confession. 'Tell you what made me stop that. One day a bunch of guys was standin' around up on the Sacramento River. I was feelin' pretty smart. I turns to Lennie and says, 'Jump in.' An' he jumps. Couldn't swim a stroke. He damn near drowned before we could get him. An' he was so damn nice to me for pullin' him out. Clean forgot I told him to jump in. Well, I ain't done nothing like that no more.'" (Steinbeck pg. 40). |
CurleyPassage 2: "Curley stepped over to Lennie like a terrier. 'What the hell you laughing' at?'
Lennie looked blankly at him. 'Huh?' Then Curley's rage exploded. 'Come on, ya big bastard. Get up on your feet. No big son-of-a-bitch is gonna laugh at me. I'll show ya who's yells'" (Steinbeck pg. 62). Although Curley is a small man, he is full of anger and frustration, not being able to keep his wife on check or be the dominant figure he craves. Curley uses his attitude to make himself appear as though he is a bigger person, using that to help his self-esteem. Because Lennie is so big and tall yet "innocent", Curley makes Lennie his easy target. Curley continuously attempts to provoke Lennie calling him names and trying to start a fight with him. This makes Curley the villain-through his envy, lust and pursuit of power. He so desperately desires all these things molding him into the person he is. Steinbeck uses Curley to emphasize Lennie's innocence. Not only does Curley pick a fight with him but he also loses that fight due to Lennie feeling frightened by what was going on. In all essence through attempting to harm an innocent, Curley is a villain. |
Femme FataleCurley's WifePassage 3: "She was suddenly apprehensive.'Bye, boys,' she called into the bunk house, and she hurried away.
George looked around at Lennie. 'Jesus, what a tramp,' he said. 'So that's what Curley picks for a wife.' 'She's purty,' said Lennie defensively. 'Yeah, and she's sure hidin' it...'" (Steinbeck pg.32). Passage 4: "She moved closer to him and she spoke soothingly. 'Don't you worry about talkin' to me. Listen to the guys yell out there. They got four dollars bet in that tenement. None of them ain't gonna leave till it's over.' 'If George sees me talkin' to you he'll give me hell,' Lennie said cautiously. 'He tol' me so.'" (Steinbeck pg. 87) |