Mental Disabilities In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

In the movie Radio we meet the main character Radio who has a mental disability. He soon starts to get bullied by the school football team but when the coach notices this, he tries to stop it and wants Radio to be on the team. It becomes very clear the town is against him being on the team due to him being mentally challenged and a “distraction”. But as the movie progresses the football team starts to accept him and treat him like family. The town not so much. As the football team got to know Radio they had acceptance for Radio while the town only knew the opinions they based of their first impressions. People with differences in the 1930's were generally not accepted because they were not "normal."

In John Steinbeck's novella Of Mice and Men

While it is obvious to the reader that Lennie has a mental disability because of his actions, it is not directly stated. However in chapter one when George said "I don't know where there is no other mouse. I remember a lady used to give' em to me- ever'one she got. But that lady ain't here." George scoffed. "Lady, huh? Don't even remember who that lady was. That was your own Aunt Clara.” said George. This just goes to show that Lennie is a grown adult in a child's mindset that can’t remember prominent things. One time he couldn't remember prominent things is when he couldn’t remember if he had his work card when George had it the whole time. Another example is that Lennie is constantly killing animals on accident and doesn't know why. Some animals he keeps killing are mice. He keeps them in his pocket to pet but little does he realize that he kills them with his hard pets because he is mentally challenged. Even though the author doesn't say it I know this from what Lennie says because in chapter Lennie says “I wasn’t doin’ nothing bad with it, George. Jus’ strokin’ it.”

He can't fit in because his feelings are dull and can't comprehend the things he does. Ways his feelings are dull is he doesn’t care if he kills mice in his pocket. He just wants them to pet their soft fur. That is not normal and just adds to the list of reasons he is mentally challenged. Even though the author doesn't say it I know this from his actions of always having George speak for him because in chapter one it says “That ranch we’re goin’ to is right down there about a quarter mile. We’re gonna go in an’ see the boss. Now, look—I’ll give him the work tickets, but you ain’t gonna say a word. You jus’ stand there and don’t say nothing. If he finds out what a crazy bastard you are, we won’t get no job, but if he sees ya work before he hears ya talk, we’re set. Ya got that?” “Sure, George. Sure I got it.” and I know that because in life when you're young your parents will normally talk for you and tell you what to say because you don’t know manners and how to talk respectfully. He killed Curley's wife and doesn't realize what he done. She just asked him to touch her hair and when he did he didn’t let go. She got scared and started to scream so Lennie panicked and covered her mouth.