Steinbeck uses animal imagery to describe Lennie, the larger man. Cite two examples of this type of imagery from the first few pages of the book.

Steinbeck uses simile, metaphor and other imagery to describe the setting and characters in Of Mice and Men. In the first few pages of the book, Steinbeck describes George and Lennie. Steinbeck often compares Lennie to animals. On the first page, Steinbeck writes, "he walked heavily, dragging his feet a little, the way a bear drags his paws." This allows the reader to see that Lennie is very large and perhaps a bit uncoordinated...

Steinbeck uses simile, metaphor and other imagery to describe the setting and characters in Of Mice and Men. In the first few pages of the book, Steinbeck describes George and Lennie. Steinbeck often compares Lennie to animals. On the first page, Steinbeck writes, "he walked heavily, dragging his feet a little, the way a bear drags his paws." This allows the reader to see that Lennie is very large and perhaps a bit uncoordinated as he is walking. It is an important comparison because Lennie seems to be very slow and innocent, but does have the ability to be dangerous like a bear. Another instance of comparing Lennie to an animal is also in the first chapter when it is said that, "Lennie dabbled his big paw in the water." Again, this comparison demonstrates Lennie's immense size. This sentence about his hands is an example of foreshadowing and is important because he crushes animals, and ultimately a human, with his paw-like hands.