Overview
The use of symbolic imagery and animals by Steinbeck was what allowed for the foreshadowing and expectation of the dismal conclusion. The beautiful and almost perfect clearing that George and Lennie designate as their safe place turns out to be a representation of the Garden of Eden where the fall of man, in this case George, occurs when Lennie’s life is ended. Another life that ended was that of Candy’s old mut. The loyalty of the dog and the method by which it was killed was very similar to Lennie’s demise. Both the dog and Lennie had outlived their usefulness and would have been more problem than benefit.