In John Steinbeck's novel "Of Mice and Men," the character of Lennie Small experiences a tragic death. Lennie is a mentally disabled man who travels with his friend George Milton and works as a ranch hand. Despite his good intentions and kind heart, Lennie's inability to control his strength and understand social conventions leads to his demise.
Throughout the novel, Lennie is depicted as a childlike figure who is innocent and unaware of the consequences of his actions. He is devoted to George, who serves as his protector and confidant. Lennie's primary focus is on his dream of one day owning a farm and tending to the rabbits that he imagines will live there. This dream is a source of comfort and purpose for Lennie, and he often talks about it with George and Candy, an elderly ranch hand who wishes to join them in their dream.
Despite Lennie's kind nature, his mental disability causes him to act out in ways that are harmful to others. He accidentally kills small animals, including a puppy that he was given as a gift, and he also causes injury to a ranch hand's wife. These incidents serve as a foreshadowing of Lennie's eventual death, as they illustrate the destructive potential of his strength and lack of understanding.
Lennie's death occurs at the end of the novel, when he is confronted by Curley, the aggressive and confrontational son of the ranch owner. Curley has been looking for Lennie, believing that he has harmed his wife. When Lennie realizes that he is in trouble, he seeks refuge in the barn, where he finds Candy and his old dog, who has been shot and is dying.
As Candy and Lennie talk about their dream, George arrives and realizes that Lennie has been accused of harming Curley's wife. George knows that Lennie will be punished severely if he is caught, and he makes the difficult decision to take matters into his own hands. He takes Lennie aside and talks to him about their dream, and then shoots him in the back of the head, ending his suffering and protecting him from a worse fate.
Lennie's death is a tragic and poignant moment in the novel, as it marks the end of a friendship and a dream. It also serves as a commentary on the harsh realities of life and the difficult choices that must sometimes be made. Despite Lennie's innocence and good nature, he is unable to survive in a world that is hostile and unforgiving. His death serves as a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing and protecting those we hold dear.