Section 6 - Overview

Section 6 Overview

We return to the same location as section 1. The reader is aware of how much darker things are now. Lennie is clearly aware of what he has done and scared. Because George loves Lennie, he kills him to protect him from Curley.

Use of location

The spot by the river is described in the same peaceful way as it was at the start of Section 1, but this time there is a more sinister atmosphere as Lennie awaits the consequences of his actions.

Lennie's awareness of his actions

The fact that Lennie has gone to the spot by the river to wait for George shows that Lennie is aware of how serious his actions are.
The visions of Aunt Clara and the rabbit, both of which tell him off for his behaviour, are significant because these are the things he holds most dear: Aunt Clara brought him up, his dream is to “tend the rabbits”, and losing George is the thing he fears more than anything else.

George's affection for Lennie

George’s love and compassion for Lennie are clear as he tries to make him feel calm and happy in his final minutes.
Lennie feels reassured that everything is going to be fine, and he therefore dies happy.

Was shooting Lennie merciful?

Slim understands that George was acting out of kindness. Lennie was not upset or scared when he died, but if Curley and his men had found him, Lennie would have suffered in his final moments.

1Context & Overview

1.1Context & Overview

1.1.1The Great Depression

1.1.2Racism

1.1.3The American Dream

1.1.4Of Mice & Men

1.2John Steinbeck

1.2.1John Steinbeck's Life

1.2.2End of Topic Test - Context & Overview

2Plot

2.1Section 1 - Analysis

2.1.1Section 1 - Plot

2.1.2Section 1 - Overview

2.2Section 2 - Analysis

2.2.1Section 2 - Plot

2.2.2Section 2 - Overview

2.3Section 3 - Analysis

2.3.1Section 3 - Plot

2.3.2Section 3 - Overview

2.3.3End of Topic Test - Sections 1-3

2.4Section 4 - Analysis

2.4.1Section 4 - Plot

2.4.2Section 4 - Overview

2.5Section 5 - Analysis

2.5.1Section 5 - Plot

2.5.2Section 5 - Overview

2.6Section 6 - Analysis

2.6.1Section 6 - Plot

2.6.2Section 6 - Overview

2.6.3End of Topic Test - Sections 4-6

3Key Characters

3.1Main Characters

3.1.1George

3.1.2Lennie - Strength

3.1.3Lennie - Innocence & Dependence

3.1.4Slim

3.1.5Curley

3.1.6Curley's Wife - Flirtatious

3.1.7Curley's Wife - Lonely & Heartbroken

3.1.8Crooks

3.1.9Candy

3.1.10End of Topic Test - George & Lennie

3.1.11End of Topic Test - Slim, Curley & Curley's Wife

3.2Minor Characters

3.2.1Minor Characters

3.2.2End of Topic Test - Crooks, Candy & Others

4Themes

4.1Key Themes

4.1.1Hopes, Dreams & Reality

4.1.2Racial Prejudice

4.1.3Loneliness & Companionship

4.1.4The Weak & Strong

4.1.5Women

4.1.6End of Topic Test - Key Themes

5Authorial Method

5.1Writing Techniques

5.1.1Dialogue

5.1.2Imagery

5.1.3Light

5.1.4Sound

5.1.5Symbolism

5.1.6Structure

5.1.7End of Topic Test - Writing Techniques

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