Animal and human nature in Steinbeck's Of Mice and MenThe relationship between animal nature and human nature in John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men is a theme major throughout the work. Lennie and Candy are related to animals through their various individual characteristics, such as physical appearance, mental capacity, or emotional maturity. Other characters, such as Curley and Carlson, demonstrate their animal nature in their interactions with others. Despite the obvious connection between the human nature and the animal nature of the characters in the work, some characters attempt to rise above their bestial nature by dreaming and seeking companionship. Lennie is perhaps the most obvious example of an animal character. The very first description of Lennie is that of “an enormous man, with a shapeless face, large pale eyes, and broad, sloping shoulders; and he walked heavily, dragging his feet a little, as a bear drags its paws” (Steinbeck 2). This initial description of Lennie immediately connects him to a large animal, and for the rest of the novel, whenever his name is mentioned, the reader instinctively imagines a large, bear-like man. Lennie is also compared to a dog, just a few pages later, when he is compared to a "terrier who won't bring a ball to his master" (Steinbeck 9). This connection is further emphasized when, at the end of the novel, Lennie is shot with the same gun and in the same manner that Candy's dog was shot earlier in the novel. Lennie is also related to animals in his mental capacity and preferences. His “simplicity of mind as well as his attraction to animals, particularly rabbits and puppies, would seem to fix him as an animal” (Johnson 16). Candy is identified...... middle of paper ..... .to live together as a family. Candy and Crooks volunteer to join George and Lennie in their dream in the hopes that they can contribute to the well-being of the group and act as one unit, one family. George already shows this kind of selflessness throughout the book by looking out for Lennie, and, likewise, Lennie looks out for George. These characters escape their primal, animalistic tendencies to fend for themselves and choose to help each other. Of Mice and Men presents many interesting connections between the animal nature and the human nature of its characters. Although most characters exhibit characteristics that might qualify them as beastly, only a few demonstrate a willingness to rise above this base level of existence and distinguish themselves from their animal nature. Works Cited: Steinbeck, John. Of mice and men. New York: books about penguins, 1937.