Chapter Six: The Deep Green Pool of the Salinas River

Setting the Scene

• Time of Day: Late afternoon, sun setting behind the Gabilan Mountains.
• Location: A pool by the Salinas River, shaded by sycamore trees.
• Atmosphere: Quiet and peaceful until disturbed by a gust of wind.
• Wildlife Behavior:
  • A water snake glides through the pool.
  • A heron catches and eats the snake.
  • Leaves rustle and move with the wind.

Lennie's Arrival

• Lennie's Entrance: Comes silently like a bear, unsettling the heron.
• Actions:
  • Drinks water from the pool.
  • Sits down, watching the trail entrance.

Lennie's Thoughts and Hallucinations

• Self-Reflection:
  • Remembers waiting for George.
  • Feels guilty about being a burden.
• Hallucination:
  • Aunt Clara:
    • Scolds Lennie using his own voice.
    • Reminds Lennie of George’s kindness and sacrifices.
  • Giant Rabbit:
    • Mocks Lennie, suggesting he cannot care for rabbits.
    • Predicts George will leave him.

George's Arrival

• Dialogues:
  • Lennie fears George will leave him.
  • George reassures Lennie but remains silent and thoughtful.
• Sounds:
  • Men shouting in the distance, closing in.

Lennie's Dream

• Request: Lennie asks George to describe their dream home.
• Dream Vision:
  • Little house with animals and a piece of land.
  • Lennie excited about tending rabbits.

Climactic Ending

• George's Decision:
  • Brings out Carlson's Luger.
  • Describes the dream while steadying the gun.
• Tragic Resolution:
  • Shoots Lennie in the back of the head.
  • Lennie falls forward, lifeless.

Aftermath

• George's Reaction:
  • Shivers, throws the gun away.
  • Slim comforts George, suggesting it was necessary.
• Other Characters:
  • Curley and Carlson arrive, interpret the scene.
  • Carlson questions why George and Slim seem disturbed.