Of Mice and Men Char. vs Fate

Of Mice and Men

The novella Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck is about two men, Lennie and George, who always get in trouble. They are best friends that have been run out of their own town, and have moved to a ranch to work enough money to buy their dream house. Curley hates Lennie for being such a big person, and attacks him later on. In the process of beating Lennie up, Lennie reached out and crushed Curley's hand. It broke, only angering Curley more. Lennie's stupidity gets himself in trouble again with Curley's wife, but this time George can't save him. Curley's hate toward Lennie is so great, he wants to shoot him down to the ground. The central conflict in Of Mice and Men was character vs. fate because George and Lennie have always been destined to get into trouble before getting their dream house.

“Jus' wanted to feel that girl's dress-jus' wanted to pet it like it was a mouse- Well, how the hell did she know you jus' wanted to feel her dress? She jerks back and you hold on like it was a mouse. She yells and we got to hide in a irrigation ditch all day with guys lookin' for us, and we got to sneak out in the dark and get outta the country.” (Page 11)

Since Lennie couldn't control himself, his addiction to soft thing always gets him in trouble. This leads into a problem for George since he promised he would stay with Lennie. George has to find a place to run and hide, like how they hid in the irrigation ditch, and save Lennie once again. Lennie's problems have always ruined Georges plans, and they were bound to happen again.

“Lennie's eyes moved down over her body, and though she did not seem to be looking at Lennie she bridled a little.” (Page 31) and “Lennie still stared at the doorway where she had been. “Gosh, she was purty.” He smiled admiringly.” (Page 32)

Lennie's experience in Weed, scaring the woman when grabbing onto her dress, foreshadows that Lennie will get in trouble with Curly's wife since Lennie can not resist himself from things he likes. Lennie is totally mesmerized by her, so his lack of control would convince him to do something stupid sooner or later.

“Curley's like a lot of little guys. He hates big guys. He's alla time picking scaps with big guys. Kind of like he's mad at 'em because he ain't a big guy.”(Page 26)

Curley hates Lennie just because he is big, and since Lennie can't help himself, he would probably get into trouble with Curley. Plus, since Curley is Lennie and George's boss's son, he could easily tell his father to kick Lennie and George out of their jobs. This would proceed into their lack of money needed for their dream house.

George and Lennie have too many problems that are working against their plans to live on their own land that it is certain they wouldn't get their house. Curley could get Lennie fired whenever he wants, and Curley's wife could get Lennie to do something stupid that would get him run out. When Lennie is run out, George is pulled with him, delaying their dreams.