Exploration of Two Aspects of an Individual: A Psychological Reading of Of Mice and Men

Abstract

Steinbeck'sOf Mice and Menis thestory of two psychologically intricate characters, whose personalities blend with one another so intimately that they sediment down to form an admixture of two extreme psychological poles and express independently and yet live as each other's compliment. In their apparently independent existence, we can explore the two aspects of the same individual. They are George, the intellectual pole and Lennie, the physical pole-two timeless characters who are but integrally one. George, quick dark of face, with restless eyes and sharp strong features is the intellectual part, who caters the man's sensitivity to the present and vision for the future. He has a strong presence of mind and a wonderfully critical reading of the society and its ways. He is highly sensitive of his security and that of his friend, who is dependent on him for his existence. Lennie, his huge friend, shapeless of face, with large pale eyes with wide slopping shoulders is the animal part, highly inspired by his sensual instincts. He knows no rule and convention. He has a poor memory and an extremely poor estimate of the present or of the future. But he remembers every bit of the vision if it involves a part of his dream of feeling the soft things–be it the fur of rabbit or dogs, or women for that member. The sensual instincts in him are so potent that he fails to estimate the present and foresee the dangerous ramifications it is likely to bring forth. Hence he is a constant source of problems, and ultimately carves his own destiny in the form of death. He is highly animalistic in nature. Standing at the two extremes of the psychological poles, George and Lennie compliment and live for each other. George is always ready to look for the safety of his friend and deliver him out of dangers if theycome along his way. He does all the intellectual works including weaving dreams, and Lennie cherishes them. Lennie gives an intimate company to the homeless and lonely George in every pursuit he undertakes. In short the two men live as two but one.