Rabbits

What do the rabbits symbolize in the story?


Rabbits are symbolizing dreams in the book Of Mice and Men. It has always been Lennie's dream to own those rabbits and tend to them. That is the symbol. The theme is dreaming. Always knowing what your dreams are and doing what it takes to accomplish. Things do happen sometimes to prevent you from getting your dreams for example Lennie killing Curley's wife.


Choose a character in the novel (other than Curley's wife) and discuss what they represent. Use details about the character to support your answer.


I am choosing to discuss George. I think that George's purpose in this book is to represent friends. George (although sometimes he has interesting ways of showing this) really and truly cares about Lennie and doesn't want to see him get hurt. He always has his back no matter how much trouble Lennie gets in. For example, when Lennie accidentally kills Curley's wife, George says, "Ain't nobody gonna hurt Lennie. I won't let em." 


 Describe your reactions to Lennie killing Curley's wife. What do you think will happen to Lennie now?


I was really shocked when I found out that Lennie actually killed her. I didn't know he was that strong. I feel bad for him because he really can't help it. Just like George says- "He ain't never done it to be mean." I think that the boys are going to kill him. Curley really wants to and he already had all that anger bottled up from when Lennie broke his hand. I think the others will go along with it because they really don't understand that Lennie doesn't do it intentionally.


Discuss Curley's wife and what she represents in the novel.


I think that Curley's wife represents accidents. She represents Lennie always managing to kill that really soft thing- whether it's a mouse, or a dog, or even a human. I'm sure if he ever did get to the rabbits, then he would have killed them to. He's just way to strong to be handling the fragile objects that are so soft. Sure, he never means to, but it happens ever time. He never learns. He thinks like a child. Just like a child.