Homework for Class #18: Of Mice and Men

Question 2

When Curley saw Lennie laughing because of his sweet dream, Curley suddenly found a place that he could release his anger, so he punched Lennie without thinking. All of us knew that Lennie was a strong big guy however Lennie was short, so there was no doubt that Lennie would win the fight. But Lennie failed wining it because he even didn't fight back at first, even Curley made him bleed. Why? From the sentence "Lennie's hands remained at his sides; he was too frightened to defend himself." we knew the reason was fear. It might be that Lennie had a warm heart and did not want to have a fight with others or he hasn't fought with others before. But I think the most major and reasonable explanation  was that he wanted to stay here to keep working and didn't want to be into trouble. Lennie wanted to have his own rabbits so much that he would do everything to achieve it. So they needed money and the  only source of income was working here. And also from George and Lennie's experience we knew that in Weed it was because Lennie that they were both in trouble and had to hid and escape. So Lennie's reactive of didn't fight back was also a way to express his love to George. And it was certain that Lennie would never fight back if George didn't tell him to do so.

2.I think that Lennie just wanted to protect himself, because he is so pure and so scared and didn't know what to do. Curley was so angry that he was angry with Lennie, he thought that Lennie was laughing at him, but in fact, Lennie was just thinking about his future. So if George don't told him to do , Lennie will do it too.

3.Crooks is a black man, he's very low self-esteem, very conscious of leaving the crowd, he lives alone. He pretended not to need someone else's appearance, but his strong is broken by Lennie, it was a bit cruel to ask Lennie :you have George, but if you do not have him? George was terrified, and he was simply unable to imagine the consequences if he lives without George. It was the first time for Lennie to realize what is lonely, he can not accept this loneliness. He really depends on George, he can't imagine the life without George, so he doesn't want to leave. About Crooks, I think he felt very lonely but he just didn't show it to others, because he thinks he is black, he didn't supose to stay with white. And in that historical background, the black don't have a good treatment.