Revised Open Prompt #3

2008. In a literary work, a minor character, often known as a foil, possesses traits that emphasize, by contrast or comparison, the distinctive characteristics and qualities of the main character. For example, the ideas or behavior of a minor character might be used to highlight the weaknesses or strengths of the main character. Choose a novel or play in which a minor character serves as a foil for the main character. Then write an essay in which you analyze how the relation between the minor character and the major character illuminates the meaning of the work.

Every hero needs a sidekick. Batman has Robin, Sherlock Holmes has Watson, and Frodo has Sam. Sidekicks do more than just add another interesting character to a storyline; the interplay between the main character and his sidekick adds an interesting dynamic that allows the author to send important ideas to the reader. Though George doesn’t resemble the typical superhero, nor does Lenny the typical sidekick, the relationship between them is crucial to the message behind Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men. Lenny brings out the human aspect of George through his childlike nature, amid all of the cruelty and inhumanity of the California countryside. This transforms George into a character with greater emotional depth, with whom the audience relates to and sympathizes with when his dreams are crushed by his harsh Great Depression environment.

In the opening lines of the work, Steinbeck juxtaposes George and Lenny in order to highlight the odd contrasting traits of the pair of protagonists. In addition to the physical differences between them, George being rather wiry and Lenny a towering giant, George is portrayed as a stereotypical rough and tumble migrant worker, which makes the sheer presence of mentally slow, childlike Lenny all the more surprising. Steinbeck uses animal imagery to characterize Lenny, describing him using his big “paws” in a dog-like while lapping up of water from the creek. George, like a worn out master, chides Lenny in a manner suggesting the normalcy of the act. The opening act of this novella-play causes readers to question why a pragmatic, no nonsense character such as George would tolerate Lenny. However, Steinbeck makes it abundantly clear that their relationship goes further than the reason George gives for it, that he purely uses Lenny for his great attractiveness to employers. George cares for Lenny deeply, like a master for a loyal, loving dog, or even like parent for a child. As their relationship is further explored through the events at their new farm jobs, Steinbeck shows the reader to what extent George will care for Lenny, revealing George’s true kind character. The ultimate demise of George and Lenny's dreams evokes sympathy in the audience and shifts the blame onto forces outside of their control in their harsh environment.

The unlikely pair share a common dream and its tragic ending is Steinbeck’s main vehicles for his theme of characters failing to achieve their dreams. The ending scene, culminating in George shooting Lenny in the back of the head symbolizes the final nail in the coffin for their dashed hopes. Though the act was violent, it was done out of love and self sacrifice. Throughout the work, the dream that George and Lenny shared of owning their own farm symbolized freedom for them and acted as a motivator. By shooting Lenny, George in effect metaphorically obliterates his own hopes for freedom in the harsh world of Great Depression California. This fits into Steinbeck’s main theme that results in the crushing of every single major character’s aspirations.

The relationship between George and Lenny is anything but typical, but Lenny manages to bring out George’s character more effectively than any other character in the novel. By allowing George's character to be fleshed out emotionally, Lenny's role as a foil allows audiences to sympathize with the protagonists' plight and leads them to blame the harsh Great Depression environment.