John Steinbeck’s novella, Of Mice and Men, introduces Lennie Small, a migrant worker whose immense physical strength is contrasted with a profound cognitive difference. Lennie is a central figure whose characteristics drive the narrative’s tragedy, yet the author intentionally avoids providing a specific clinical label for his condition. Analyzing Lennie requires a careful examination of his observable traits and behaviors as described in the text, rather than searching for a formal diagnosis that was never intended.
Describing Lennie’s Cognitive and Behavioral Traits
Lennie Small is consistently described as a man of enormous physical stature, possessing a body that is “huge” and “shapeless of face,” with movements that resemble a bear dragging its paws. This overwhelming physical presence is paired with the mind of a child, creating a perilous duality where he does not comprehend his own immense strength. He exhibits a profound short-term memory deficit, forcing his companion, George Milton, to repeatedly recite simple instructions and their shared dream. Lennie is entirely dependent on George for guidance, protection, and survival, demonstrating an inability to navigate the complex social world of the ranch on his own.
A defining behavioral pattern is his obsessive fascination with soft textures, which he seeks out for comfort and tactile stimulation. This sensory-seeking behavior leads him to stroke small animals like mice and puppies, but his inability to modulate his strength results in their accidental deaths. When distressed or confused, Lennie can become emotionally volatile, panicking and losing control, which triggers defensive, often violent, reactions to perceived threats. These markers—the memory issues, the childlike reasoning, and the lack of impulse control—form the evidence base for attempts to categorize his condition.
Analyzing Potential Modern Diagnostic Categories
Applying contemporary diagnostic frameworks suggests his condition aligns most closely with the criteria for Intellectual Disability (ID). ID is characterized by significant limitations in both intellectual functioning (such as reasoning and problem-solving) and adaptive behavior (the practical, social, and conceptual skills needed for daily life). Lennie’s constant need for George to manage his life and his poor comprehension of cause and effect are examples of deficits in adaptive behavior.
Given the novella’s 1937 publication, it is also appropriate to consider the broader historical term of Cognitive Impairment or Developmental Delay. This terminology acknowledges a general, pervasive deficit in mental development without pinpointing a specific syndrome, mirroring Steinbeck’s vague depiction. Some analyses have speculated on more specific conditions, such as Sotos syndrome, a genetic disorder sometimes associated with tall stature, distinctive facial features, and intellectual deficits.
Other interpretations have noted behaviors that overlap with features of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), particularly his fixations on the dream and his sensory-seeking behavior related to soft textures. His difficulty in understanding social boundaries and his literal interpretation of language could also be viewed through this lens. However, any application of modern criteria remains speculative, as Steinbeck was likely portraying a general type of marginalized individual rather than a precise clinical case.
The Author’s Intent and Literary Purpose
Lennie’s condition functions not as a medical case study, but as a powerful element of the novella’s literary design and thematic exploration. His intellectual difference highlights the profound loneliness and isolation experienced by individuals on the margins of society during the Great Depression. His childlike innocence and inability to understand the harsh realities of the world allow him to embody the purity of the shared dream with George, contrasting sharply with the cynicism of the other ranch hands.
Through Lennie, Steinbeck critiques the failure of the American Dream, showing how the most vulnerable members of society are systematically excluded from achieving independence and stability. His characteristics serve to illustrate the burden of care and the nature of true companionship, as George’s life is defined by his responsibility to him. Steinbeck noted that Lennie was inspired by a real person he knew, intending the character to represent the “inarticulate and powerful yearning of all men” for a better life, making his condition a universal symbol rather than a specific pathology.