How Does Steinbeck Present Lennie's Innocence

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When we are children we seldom think of the future. This innocence leaves us free to enjoy ourselves as few adults can. The day we fret about the future is the day we leave our childhood behind. The connection in the book John Steinbeck makes between Lennie and animals shows the innocence Lennie thought he had, while his actions shows him not being innocent. John Steinbeck shows Lennie's innocence when he "accidentally" killed Curly's wife due to him panicking. One example is when Curley's wife put Lennie's hand on top of her head, and Lennie started stroking her hair. Curley's wife had asked for him to stop, but Lennie's fingers closed on her hair and hung on, then panicked after Curley's wife yelled. "She took Lennie's hand and put it …show more content…
Lennie said, "Oh! That’s nice," and he stroked harder. "Oh, that's nice..." She jerked her head sideways, and Lennie's fingers closed on her hand and hung on. "Let go," she cried. "You let go!" Lennie was in a panic" (Steinbeck, 88). This shows how John Steinbeck shows Lennie's innocence because Lennie didn't know what to do, so, he panicked. Lennie thinks that he didn't do any harm, but his action of grasping onto Curley's wife hair makes him not innocent. Another example, is when Lennie was afraid that Curley's wife was gonna get him in trouble by George from Curley's wife yelling multiple times. Due to that reason, Lennie panicked and killed Curley's wife. "Lennie's other hand closed over her mouth and nose...She struggled violently under his hands... "Oh! Please don't do none of that," he begged... He moved his hand a little and her hoarse cry came out. Then Lennie grew angry... You gonna get me …show more content…
One example, is when George wanted to avoid Curley from torturing Lennie, so he made a decision he thought that was best for Lennie. Also, whenever Lennie is in trouble, George would be in trouble as well. "George still started at Curley's wife. "Lennie never done it in meanness," he said. "All the time he done bad things, but he never done one of 'em mean." He straightened up and looked back at Candy... They ain't no way out. Maybe they won't him 'im." He said sharply, "I ain't gonna let 'em hurt Lennie... In a minute you come out and tell the guys about her, and I'll come along and make like I never seen her" (Steinbeck, 92). Due to what Lennie did, of killing Curley's wife, George is trying to make himself seem innocent, by lying. By what Lennie did, George is trying to avoid the trouble. Another example, is when George kills Lennie to avoid Curley torturing Lennie after the death of his
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