“Curley’s wife moved away from him a little. ‘I think you’re nuts,’ she said” (Steinbeck 90). Lennie Small from Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck is known for being different. Steinbeck implies that he has an intellectual disability. Lennie travels with his friend George during the time of the Great Depression, although it makes them more deviate. They share a dream about owning their own land with their own farm. Moreover, Curley’s wife realizes that there is a specific discrepancy between Lennie and the rest of the ranchers. The difference is Lennie’s behavior and thoughts. It causes problems escalating from a dead mouse to a dead woman. His behavior is similar to those with autism. Thus, Lennie Small portrays signs of autism based on his inept social interactions, obsessive interests, and difficulties communicating. The articles “Autism” by Carol Turkington and Albert Tzeel, “Autism”, and “Nursing Standard: Autism” provide information about autism. To begin, Lennie Small has trouble socializing. Turkington and Tzeel assert, “the primary feature of autism is impaired social interaction” …show more content…
The articles “Autism” by Tzeel and Turkington, “Autism”, and “Nursing Standard: Autism” substantiate that Lennie is autistic. He has impaired social interactions, a smaller range of interests he abnormally obsesses over, and struggles to communicate. George and Lennie live during a time when mental health is not fully recognized. It is not limpid, but instead unknown and mysterious. Others realize that Lennie is different, but the exact disability is unknown. Lennie kills mice, puppies, and women. All their deaths are spontaneous; Lennie does not plan or wish for death. George chastises Lennie for his misbehavior. As an indemnity, George shoots Lennie for killing Curley’s wife. His disability causes conflict. Lennie is not nuts; instead he is a doltish lion, physically strong, but mentally