The Cycle of Violence

Traces the recurring pattern of violence in the novel, from the heron killing the snake to the shooting of Candy's dog, the fight, and the final killing of Lennie.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

Violence in Nature

The Natural Violence The Heron and the Snake The novel opens with a violent act in nature: the heron kills the snake. This is a natural, unthinking violence. It is a part of the cycle of life. The snake is innocent, but it is killed. The Foreshadowing The opening scene foreshadows the human violence to come. The snake is a symbol of Lennie, who is also innocent and killed. The heron is a symbol of the forces that kill without malice. The Acceptance of Violence Nature accepts violence as part of existence. The novel suggests that human violence is also a part of existence, but it is more tragic because it involves choice and emotion.

Human Violence

The Pattern of Killing The Shooting of the Dog The first human-driven violence is the shooting of Candy's dog. It is a mercy killing, but it is also an act of violence. The dog is killed because it is a burden. The Fight The fight between Lennie and Curley is a violent confrontation. Lennie crushes Curley's hand. The violence is brutal and quick. It is a result of the tension on the ranch. The Killing of the Puppy Lennie accidentally kills the puppy. This is a repetition of his earlier pattern. The violence is unintentional, but it is still destructive. The cycle of violence is escalating.

The Final Violence

The Inevitable End The Killing of Curley's Wife Lennie's accidental killing of Curley's wife is the climax of the violence. It is a tragic accident, but it is the result of the cycle of violence. The innocent victim is killed. The Killing of Lennie George's killing of Lennie is the final violent act. It is a mercy killing, but it is also a murder. The cycle of violence continues. The strong kill the weak. The Unbroken Cycle The novel ends with the cycle of violence unbroken. The heron and the snake are replaced by George and Lennie. The violence is a part of the human condition. The novel offers no escape from this cycle.

The beginning of the novel

The first two days at the ranch

The end of the novel