George and Lennie

You can't describe one without the other.  Their contrasts are as important as their individual characteristics and draw the others qualities to the forefront.


The way their initially presented to the reader is particularly important.  At first, their size is describe, where Lennie is seen to be considerably bigger.  However, immediately you begin to realise that although Lennie is bigger, his mental capacity means he's a follower to George.  He is shown to be walking behind George and immitating whatever he does.

 

 

 

On top of this, the way in which Lennie speaks and behaves helps the audience to understand that he doesn't know his own strength and is unable to grasp basic information.  He also finds it difficult to remember simple ideas.

 

 

 





In the initial parts of the story there is also a lot of foreshadowing used by the author.  Steinbeck presents the circumstances of what happened to force George and Lennie out of Weed, which in turn impacts what happens in the future.  George lets us understand that they left because of something Lennie did, and reminds Lennie that they need a back-up plan in case something like this happens again - this tells us that George can see taht something similar could potentially happen at their new job.