Similes and their Meaning:
* "He walked heavily, dragging his feet a little, the way a bear drags his paws." (Chapter 1)
* Meaning: This simile emphasizes Lennie's physical strength and clumsiness. He is large and lumbering like a bear, giving the reader a sense of his overwhelming power and lack of coordination.
* Author's Purpose: This sets the tone for Lennie's character. He is portrayed as a gentle giant, capable of great harm unintentionally because of his size and lack of control.
* "His huge, pale hands, calloused on the palms and cracked around the nails, were as delicate as a woman's when he stroked the pup." (Chapter 3)
* Meaning: This contrast highlights Lennie's inherent gentleness. Despite his imposing physique, he has a soft touch and shows compassion towards the pup.
* Author's Purpose: Steinbeck emphasizes the disparity between Lennie's appearance and his true nature. He is not a threat to others, but a vulnerable and innocent soul.
* "Lennie's face was creased with anxiety, his eyes wide and staring. He looked like a dog that had been kicked." (Chapter 4)
* Meaning: This simile emphasizes Lennie's fear and helplessness. He is utterly dependent on George, and the world seems to be a source of constant terror.
* Author's Purpose: This image reinforces the vulnerability of Lennie, who is easily frightened and prone to panic. It also creates sympathy for his plight.
* "His eyes were wide and staring, and he looked about as if he were seeing things for the first time." (Chapter 5)
* Meaning: This emphasizes Lennie's childlike innocence. He is often described as "slow" or having a "child's mind," and this simile reinforces that he processes the world with wonder and naivety.
* Author's Purpose: Steinbeck uses this to contrast Lennie's intellectual limitations with his genuine goodness. He is incapable of malice or evil, simply because he doesn't understand the complexities of the world.
Why Steinbeck Uses Similes
John Steinbeck masterfully uses similes to paint a vivid picture of Lennie's character. By comparing him to animals, he:
* Highlights Lennie's physical strength and clumsiness: This establishes him as a powerful but unwieldy force.
* Emphasizes Lennie's gentle nature: This creates a sense of paradox, contrasting his physicality with his kind heart.
* Underlines Lennie's vulnerability and innocence: These similes evoke sympathy for Lennie, making him a tragic figure rather than a villain.
Ultimately, these similes help us understand Lennie not just as a character, but as a representation of human nature itself. His struggles with his own strength, his longing for connection, and his ultimate fate evoke deep emotions in the reader.