The Bond of Guilt: Lennie's Regret
Of Mice and MenTraces Lennie's emotional guilt over his past actions, his fear of disappointing George, and his internal struggle with his own nature.
increasing
Bearing strength in each event
decreasing
Bearing strength in each eventdecreasingLennie's Memory of Aunt Clara
The Hallucination of Guilt
The Appearance of Aunt Clara
At the pool, Lennie hallucinates Aunt Clara. She scolds him for causing trouble and not listening to George. The hallucination is a manifestation of Lennie's guilt. He knows he has done wrong.
The Expression of Regret
Lennie tells Aunt Clara that he tried, but he couldn't help it. He is aware of his own failings. He is sorry for the trouble he causes George. The guilt is a heavy burden.
The Fear of Abandonment
Lennie's greatest fear is that George will leave him. He says he will go find a cave and live alone. The guilt is tied to his fear of losing the only person who cares for him.
The Hallucination of the Giant Rabbit
The Accusation of the Rabbit
The Rabbit's Scorn
Lennie also hallucinates a giant rabbit that mocks him. The rabbit says he is not fit to tend rabbits, that he would forget them. The rabbit represents Lennie's own self-doubt.
The Denial
Lennie argues with the rabbit, saying he would not forget. He insists that George would not hurt him. The hallucination shows Lennie's internal conflict between hope and fear.
The Plea to George
Lennie cries out for George, and George appears. The guilt is momentarily assuaged by George's presence. The bond of guilt is resolved by the bond of love, but only temporarily.
The final scene at the pool
The final scene at the pool
