In the novel, Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck, the author illustrates Lennie through a series of incidents and interactions with other characters in the novel. The writer describes several of Lennie's characteristics, such as his huge physical stature or child-like demeanor, but focuses primarily on Lennie's mental handicap, and his awkward behavior as a result of this shortcoming. Lennie, one of the two protagonists, is essentially portrayed as being forgetful, accident-prone, and obedient.

Lennie appears to have the mind of a six-year-old; as a result, he is forgetful and often needs has to be reminded of things. During their trek to Soledad, Lennie asks his friend "where are we going, George? (4)" George reminds Lennie of the "bad things [Lennie] [had] done in Weed, (7)" and how the men there had hunted them throughout the county. Suddenly, a light of understanding appears on Lennie's, and he exploded triumphantly...