The Mouse in the beginning of the story signifies Lennie's strength as his weakness.
- "I wasn't doing nothing bad with it, George. Just stroking it."
- "I ain't takin' it away for meanness. That mouse ain't fresh, Lennie; and besides, you've broke it petting it." (pg 9)
- Later in the story, Lennie accidentally crushes Curly's hand, kills his puppy when it nips at him, and kills Curly's wife.
