Of Mice and Men: Part 5

Hanna Wurdack

This chapter was very intense. I learned many new things about Lennie. I am going to blog about the scene with Curley’s wife and Lennie.

This chapter really brought attention to Lennie and his control. His lack of body strength started out when he killed his pup. “He was so little. I was jus’ playin’ with him...an’ he made like he’s gonna bite me...an’ I made like I was gonna smack him...an’...an’ I done it. An’ then he was dead,” said Lennie. This quote really shows how when Lennie gets scared he acts in violence. Lennie got scared because the puppy almost bit him, so he defended himself. The only problem is, he cannot control his strength. When he defends himself, he cannot stop. Just like in the previous chapter, when Lennie crushed Curley’s hand. He was so scared. He acted in self defense, but he couldn’t control it. This foreshadowed what will happen with Curley’s wife. After the puppy incident Curley’s wife came to the barn. Of course, Curley’s wife just came in to try and trick Lennie. She started out talking about her life and how she was depressed and lonely. She was supposed to be a movie star, but she chose Curley instead. “Well, I ain’t told this to nobody before...I don’t like Curley. He ain’t a nice fella,” she said trying to trick him into her trap. But, all Lennie could think about was upsetting George for killing the pup. He needed to be able to tend the rabbits. Finally, Curley’s wife gets Lennie’s attention. She asks him why he likes bunnies so much, and he says,”I like to pet nice things.” She tries to seduce Lennie again by saying,’”Here----feel right here.” She took Lennie’s hand and put it on her head.” Lennie was amazed by her velvety hair,”Oh! That’s nice,” and he stroked harder.” Not wanting Lennie to mess up her hair, she yells. “Please don’t do that, George’ll be mad,” Lennie says to calm her down. “Lennie’s other hand closed on her mouth and nose.” “He shook her then, and he was angry with her...and her body flopped like a fish. And then she was still, for Lennie had broken her neck.” Lennie killed Curley’s wife in fear. He just wanted to pet her hair, like the puppy, then she yelled and scared him. Lennie used self defense, and he couldn’t control his stregnth.

If he can crush three things in a month, then what will he hurt next?

How will he control himself?

What kind of trouble will he be in?

Will Curley attempt to kill Lennie?

Will George help Lennie?