Why Is Lennie so Obsessed with Rabbits?

Author Clyde Reid

Posted Sep 12, 2022

Reads 110

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In John Steinbeck's novel Of Mice and Men, the character Lennie is obsessed with rabbits. This is because rabbits symbolize innocence and hope to Lennie. They are creatures that are small and defenseless, yet they are also able to survive in the wild. This is something that Lennie admires, as he feels like he is neither small nor defenseless.

Lennie has been through a lot in his life. He was first abandoned by his family, then he was sent to live with his Aunt Clara. When Aunt Clara died, Lennie ended up moving around a lot, living in different camps and with different people. This made it hard for him to make friends or form any attachments. The only constant in his life has been his obsession with rabbits.

Rabbits represent everything that Lennie is not. They are calm, peaceful, and content. They do not have to worry about the future or what will happen to them. They just live in the moment and enjoy life. This is something that Lennie desperately wants. He is always worrying about the future and what will happen to him. He is always worrying about what other people think of him and whether or not they will like him. This obsession with rabbits allows Lennie to escape from his reality and into a world where he feels safe and loved.

What does Lennie's obsession with rabbits symbolize?

Lennie's obsession with rabbits symbolizes his child-like innocence and his desire for a simple, idyllic life. Lennie is a gentle giant, and his love for animals, particularly rabbits, represents his innocence and kind-hearted nature. His obsession with having a rabbit to tend to and care for represents his longing for a simple life in which he can be content and happy.

Of course, Lennie's obsession with rabbits also gets him into trouble. His child-like innocence leads him to believe that he can simply take a rabbit home with him, without understanding the consequences. This ultimately leads to his downfall, as his desire for a simple life ends up costing him his life.

How does Lennie's obsession with rabbits affect his relationship with George?

Lennie's obsession with rabbits is a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to his relationship with George. On the one hand, it's a big part of what initially bonded the two men together. George saw in Lennie a childlike innocence and fascination with the animals, and he was able to connect with him on that level. It's also something that Lennie can always be counted on to provide comfort and distraction for when things are tough - like when they're camped out in the woods or stuck in a cramped train car.

However, there are also times when Lennie's rabbit obsession gets in the way of his relationship with George. For instance, when they're trying to make money by working on a farm, Lennie's fascination with the animals means that he doesn't always do his job properly and causes them to get in trouble. Additionally, George has to constantly remind Lennie that he can't have a pet rabbit because it's too much responsibility for him to handle. In a way, then, Lennie's obsession both brings George and him together while also threatening to drive them apart.

Why does Lennie kill rabbits?

Mice, rats, rabbits--Lennie loves them all. He talks to them, he pets them, he strokes their soft fur. It seems like a simple act of kindness, but it always ends in tragedy. Why does Lennie kill rabbits?

There are a few possible explanations. It could be that Lennie simply doesn't understand his own strength. He pets the animals too roughly, holding them too tight. He doesn't mean to hurt them, but he can't help it.

Alternatively, it could be that Lennie gets too attached to the animals. He wants to keep them close, to protect them and care for them. But in doing so, he smothers them and ultimately kills them.

It's also possible that Lennie kills rabbits because he's simply curious about death. He's fascinated by the process of life and death, and he wants to see what it's like to take a life. He doesn't understand the weight of his actions, or the consequences they can have.

Whatever the reason, it's clear that Lennie's love for animals is ultimately destructive. He means well, but his actions always end in tragedy.

What does Lennie's killing of rabbits symbolize?

Lennie's killing of rabbits symbolizes his childlike innocence and brutal instinct. He does not understand the consequences of his actions, but he knows that he likes the feeling of power that comes with taking a life. This is a dangerous combination that often leads to tragedy. Lennie is a gentle giant, but he is also a killer.

How does Lennie's killing of rabbits affect his relationship with George?

Lennie's killing of rabbits have a great impact in his relationship with George. At first, it seems that Lennie is just being his normal, gentle self when he strokes the rabbits too hard and kills them. However, as George begins to scold him and tell him off, it is clear that Lennie's actions have consequences beyond just the dead rabbits. George gets increasingly frustrated with Lennie, and their relationship starts to unravel.

Lennie's killings of rabbits symbolize the fragility of their friendship and how easily it could all fall apart. George scolding him is a reminder that, while they are best friends, they are still very different people. Lennie is impulsive and doesn't always think before he acts, while George is more level-headed and thoughtful. This difference in personality is what ultimately leads to the downfall of their friendship.

George ultimately decides that he can't trust Lennie anymore and decides to abandon him. This is a turning point in their relationship, and it's clear that Lennie's killing of rabbits had a major impact on it. While it may have seemed like a small thing at first, it ultimately led to the unraveling of their friendship.

What does Lennie's obsession with rabbits represent in terms of his mental state?

Lennie's obsession with rabbits is a manifestation of his childlike innocence and simplemindedness. Lennie is not able to understand the complexities of life and instead fixates on things that bring him comfort and happiness, like soft rabbits. His innocent nature is also evident in the way that he talks to animals and treats them gently. For Lennie, the rabbits represent a source of happiness and security in a world that is sometimes frightening and confusing.

Lennie's mental state is further shown to be fragile and childlike when he becomes upset or scared. When the other farmhands are teasing him or when he is faced with something that he doesn't understand, Lennie retreats into his own world where the only thing that matters are the rabbits. This shows that Lennie is not able to cope with stress or difficult situations in a mature way. Instead, he escapes into his own mind where he can be happy and safe.

Although Lennie's obsession with rabbits may seem harmless, it is actually a sign of his mental state. His childlike innocence and simplemindedness make him unable to understand the complexities of life. This leads him to fixate on things that bring him comfort and happiness, like rabbits. While this may seem like a harmless quirk, it actually reveals that Lennie is not mentally equipped to deal with the challenges of life.

What does Lennie's obsession with rabbits tell us about his character?

Lennie's obsession with rabbits is a telling detail about his character. On the surface, it might not seem like much, but it actually reveals a lot about Lennie's innermost thoughts and feelings.

For Lennie, rabbits represent something that is simple and innocent. They are creatures that he can understand and relate to. In a way, they represent a kind of innocence that Lennie himself is seeking.

Lennie's obsession with rabbits also tells us that he is a very compassionate person. He cares deeply for all creatures, even those that most people would consider to be expendable.

Lennie's obsession with rabbits is also a sign of his childlike wonder and imagination. He sees the world in a different way than most people do, and he is constantly looking for things that will make him happy.

In the end, Lennie's obsession with rabbits is a telling detail about his character that reveals his compassionate, childlike nature.

How does Lennie's obsession with rabbits reflect his childlike innocence?

Lennie Small's obsession with rabbits is a constant source of conflict and misunderstanding between him and others. To many, it reflects his childlike innocence and lack of understanding of the world around him. This is seen most clearly in his interactions with George Milton, his only friend and caretaker. George is often exasperated by Lennie's fixation on rabbits, and has to remind him time and time again that they are not real. Lennie's fixation on rabbits also puts him in danger, as he is constantly chasing them and trying to catch them. This eventually leads to his downfall, as he accidently kills a woman while trying to catch a rabbit. While Lennie's obsession with rabbits may be seen as a reflection of his childlike innocence, it also highlights his lack of understanding of the world around him. This ultimately leads to his downfall, and serves as a reminder that innocence can be a dangerous thing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Lennie want a rabbit as a pet?

Lennie wants a rabbit as a pet because rabbits are larger and more capable of enduring the effects of his petting them. They also represent a part of the American dream, which is something that Lennie desires greatly.

How does Curley's wife respond to Lennie's interest in rabbits?

Curley's Wife is not initially very interested in Lennie's interest in rabbits. She asks him what makes him so nuts about them, and Lennie has to think carefully before he can come up with a reason. He moves cautiously close to her until he is right against her, and then he explains that he likes to pet nice things.

Why does Lennie kill little animals accidentally?

Lennie is looking forward to tending rabbits for two reasons. One, because he enjoys the challenge of subduing them and making them helpless; and two, because they provide a delicious meal. Killing little animals accidentally simply comes with the territory when working with animals, as they can be unpredictable and often dangerous.

How is Lennie described as an animalistic person?

Lennie is repeatedly connected to the wild, natural world and shows that he can act instinctively and violently, as animals do. We might argue that this makes him like an animal more than a human.

What small animals does Lennie like to pet?

Lennie likes to pet small, soft animals such as rabbits.

Clyde Reid

Clyde Reid

Writer at Nahf

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Clyde Reid is a writer and blogger whose work explores a range of topics, from technology to travel. With years of experience in content creation, Clyde has honed his skills as a storyteller, weaving together narratives that are both informative and engaging. His writing style is accessible and relatable, making it easy for readers to connect with his ideas and perspectives.

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