Naturalism In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

Lennie cannot change his mental disability nor can Crooks change his race, but due to these inalterable characteristics, Lennie hurts others unintentionally, and Crooks is hurt by others. “Naturalism does not deal primarily with individuals in themselves, but rather with social groups, settings, or movements…”( ), which relates to the story, because Lennie’s actions not only affect him and his future, but the other characters in the book. In Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck, the concept of naturalism is portrayed through the experiences of Lennie, Curley’s wife, and Crooks. Lennie’s mental disability and physical strength often lead to trouble, because he can never fully comprehend his actions. When Lennie is the barn, he ends up

This relates back to naturalism, because Lennie gets himself into a situation that he cannot control. He does not understand that he has to be very careful with the puppy because it is so small, and he does not know his own strength. “What is clear is that Lennie’s body wins out over his mind repeatedly,- in the end with tragic consequences”(Keener 1215). Lennie is very kind- hearted, and never wants to hurt anyone. This quote explains that Lennie’s strength wins over his intentions. An innocent conversation between Lennie and Curley’s wife tragically results in her death. Lennie playing around with a small puppy and mice result in the puppy’s death and countless mice relates back to the concept of naturalism because Lennie cannot control his strength. His situations spin out of control, because he does not know what he is doing. George says that, “‘Lennie never done it out of meanness,’... All the time he done bad things, but he never done one of em’ mean” (Steinbeck 95). George tries to defend Lennie after the rest of the ranch workers find out what he has done to Curley’s wife. He explains that Lennie cannot help getting himself into dreadful situations, but he has never done them on purpose. This quote ultimately proves that