In the beginning of the story, what kind of animal did Lennie keep accidently killing? How does that foreshadow later events in the story?

In the beginning of the story "Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck, Lennie Small accidentally kills small animals, particularly mice and later a puppy. Lennie's unintentional harm to these creatures foreshadows the tragic events that occur later in the story, particularly his inability to control his own strength and the consequences that arise from it. 1. **Accidental Harm**: Lennie's actions with the mice demonstrate his lack of understanding of his own physical power. He loves to pet soft things, but his strength leads to the death of the animals, which symbolizes his innocence and the tragic outcomes of his actions. 2. **Foreshadowing Violence**: The repeated incidents of Lennie killing small animals foreshadow the more significant tragedy that occurs later in the story when he accidentally kills Curley's wife. This act is a culmination of his inability to control his strength and highlights the theme of the destructive nature of innocence. 3. **Themes of Power and Vulnerability**: Lennie's relationship with the animals reflects the broader themes of power dynamics and vulnerability in the story. Just as he cannot control his strength with the mice, he ultimately cannot control it with humans, leading to devastating consequences. Overall, Lennie's interactions with small animals serve as a critical foreshadowing device that underscores the tragic trajectory of the narrative and the themes of innocence, power, and the inevitability of violence.