Lennie's Puppy

Kaitlin K.
English 3&4

Symbols are something used to represent something. There is one thing that represents hope, dreams and new beginnings – that would be Lennie’s puppy in the book, Of Mice and Men. But of course, the puppy was accidentally killed, which crushed Lennie’s hopes, dreams and new beginnings.

Hope is usually something you are aiming for, like a goal. The puppy was a new hope for Lennie – he had always hoped and wanted to tend rabbits and other animals. Now that he found a puppy, he was happy and excited to tend something - that was a new hope for Lennie.

Dreams – something you want to have and succeed. Lennie had always dreamt of having a rabbit or a cute, small animal. He wanted to own rabbits or other animals and tend them, feed them, play with them. He was definitely an animal lover.

New beginnings are always good for people – it gives them a new chance and a new life. The puppy was actually a new beginning for Lennie because he had always wanted to tend an animal and he kept his word for George. He had to behave properly and keep out of trouble – that made it possible for him to have another chance at tending animals.

In closing, the new puppy may represent all these good things (hope, dreams and new beginnings) but it doesn’t mean it is completely good. Lennie had accidentally ruined his last chance at tending one because he killed the puppy – accidentally. There goes his hope, dreams and new beginnings.