Prompt Revisions - Jan. 20

1970. Choose a character from a novel or play of recognized literary merit and write an essay in which you (a) briefly describe the standards of the fictional society in which the character exists and (b) show how the character is affected by and responds to those standards. In your essay do not merely summarize the plot.

Lennie, from John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men, is a character that exists in a society that renders him incapable to thrive. In this fictional society, Lennie and his mental disability are not thought of as he stumbles through life unable to stay in one place. Through the narrow-minded standards of society, Lennie is set up for failure in this life, which shows that the world can be a hard place and that not everybody has it easy. 

In Of Mice and Men, people are highly regarded when they work hard without much controversy. Those who work hard, say little and follow the rules of the boss are set for life. For Lennie, this is hard. Since he is mentally unable to understand societal norms and mannerisms, he is often a target for trouble and can't understand what rules are and, if he breaks them, what he did wrong. The only thing society cares about is his strength, which is the only reason he is able to work and have any sort of life at all. These standards in society make it so that certain people thrive, but not everyone gets to have opportunities - even if it is out of their control. 

Lennie, a strong and hard worker, is hired for his strength... and nothing else. This would seem to be a grace on first glance, but when he is always jumping from town to town, readers see that he is unable to find a place to stay. Lennie tends to cause trouble, but not out of evil intent. For instance, in one place of work he grabbed a girl's skirt because it was soft; he just wanted to feel something soft and didn't understand that grabbing a woman's skirt is wrong in society. Instead, he is a simple minded man that doesn't understand the difference between right and wrong. Even though that is true, other people are unable to see that. This makes Lennie a target for misfortune and affects his everyday life. Instead of staying in one place and having a home like he wants, he is forced to the confines of his troubled world, which shows that the world is an unforgiving place and not everyone can have a good life. 

Even though Lennie does not get everything he wants and cannot seem to please anyone, that doesn't stop him. Lennie's mind is unable to see the problems. Instead, he responds with hopes and dreams to one day reach his goal to have a house and animals. These societal standards are barely shown in the way that he responds, which is part of his problem. His lack of recognition makes it even harder for others to sympathize, which leads to his ultimate downfall. Lennie never had it easy, and never will, which is shows the world isn't set up for everyone to thrive and that reality is not always good. 

In Of Mice and Men, Lennie is unable to have a good life. Even though it is not his fault, society does not recognize his mental disability. Even more, Lennie does not understand that he is causing trouble, which makes society even harsher towards him. This shows that the world is a bad place and doesn't always recognize the misfortune of others.