3.1.2

Lennie - Strength

Test yourself

Physical Strength

Lennie's physical strength is striking to the other characters in the plot. Although Lennie is not confrontational he is unaware of the damage he can do with his own strength.

Illustrative background for First impressionsIllustrative background for First impressions ?? "content

First impressions

  • Contrary to his name, Lennie Small is “a huge man” (Section 1), and it seems as though the first thing people notice about him his physical stature.
Illustrative background for A good workerIllustrative background for A good worker ?? "content

A good worker

  • Due to his superior physical strength, he is known as a good worker: “Maybe he ain't bright, but I never seen such a worker. He damn near killed his partner buckin' barley. There ain't nobody can keep up with him.” (Slim, Section 3)
Illustrative background for Avoiding conflictIllustrative background for Avoiding conflict ?? "content

Avoiding conflict

  • Despite his physical strength, Lennie avoids confrontation and does not want to be involved in conflict with anyone else: “I didn’t want no trouble.” (Lennie, Section 3)
Illustrative background for Accidents because of Lennie's strengthIllustrative background for Accidents because of Lennie's strength ?? "content

Accidents because of Lennie's strength

  • However, when he does find himself in serious trouble, such as when he is attacked by Curley, Lennie proves that he is more than capable of defending himself: “Curley's fist was swinging when Lennie reached for it. The next minute Curley was flopping like a fish on a line, and his closed fist was lost in Lennie's big hand.” (Section 3)
Illustrative background for Animal-likeIllustrative background for Animal-like ?? "content

Animal-like

  • Steinbeck sometimes describes Lennie as being more like a bear than a human, emphasising his physical size and strength: “Lennie dabbled his big paw in the water…” (Section 1)
  • Although physically Lennie’s may be bear-like, his personality is better compared to that of a loyal dog, with George as his master. He mostly obeys all of George’s commands, even when they go against his nature, such as when he defends himself against Curley: "You tol' me to, George." (Lennie, Section 3)

Lennie's Lack of Control

Lennie cannot control his physical strength. Steinbeck also reveals flashes of Lennie's hidden aggression. We can see that he doesn't have the same emotional capacity as others and can lash out.

Illustrative background for Lack of control with animalsIllustrative background for Lack of control with animals ?? "content

Lack of control with animals

  • In Section 1 of the novel, Lennie accidentally kills the mouse he has been petting in his pocket. The subsequent conversation with George reveals he has a history of killing mice in this way: “Aunt Clara… she stopped givin' 'em to ya. You always killed 'em." (George, Section 1).
  • Lennie kills the puppy that Slim gives him by playing too roughly with it: “I didn't bounce you hard.” (Lennie, Section 5).
Illustrative background for Lack of control with CurleyIllustrative background for Lack of control with Curley ?? "content

Lack of control with Curley

  • When told by George to defend himself against Curley’s attack, Lennie uses excessive force and seriously damages Curley’s hand: "We got to get him in to a doctor … Looks to me like ever' bone in his han' is bust.” (Carlson, Section 3).
Illustrative background for Lack of control with Curley's wifeIllustrative background for Lack of control with Curley's wife ?? "content

Lack of control with Curley's wife

  • In the most serious incident of the novel, Lennie breaks Curley’s wife’s neck while trying to make her stop screaming: “He shook her; and her body flopped like a fish. And then she was still, for Lennie had broken her neck.” (Section 5).
Illustrative background for Hidden aggression?Illustrative background for Hidden aggression? ?? "content

Hidden aggression?

  • Although Steinbeck presents Lennie as a generally a good-natured character, there are a few times in the novel where we see flashes of aggression in Lennie’s behaviour, mainly when the things he loves most are threatened:
    • For example, Lennie shows aggression towards Crooks when he suggests that George has abandoned him, causing Crooks to back off: “Suddenly Lennie's eyes centered and grew quiet, and mad. He stood up and walked dangerously toward Crooks.” (Section 4).
Illustrative background for Lennie's awarenessIllustrative background for Lennie's awareness ?? "content

Lennie's awareness

  • Lennie is aware of good and bad, in the sense that he knows what will make George happy and what will make him sad, but he never realises until it is too late.

Jump to other topics

Go student ad image

Unlock your full potential with GoStudent tutoring

  • Affordable 1:1 tutoring from the comfort of your home

  • Tutors are matched to your specific learning needs

  • 30+ school subjects covered

Book a free trial lesson