Final answer:
Lennie Small in 'Of Mice and Men' is compared to a bear for his size and clumsiness, a horse for his way of drinking, and a terrier for his determined grip on a dead mouse, highlighting his physical strength and simple mentality.
Step-by-step explanation:
In John Steinbeck's novel Of Mice and Men, the character Lennie Small is compared to various animals in Chapter One to highlight his physical strength and mental simplicity. Three particular comparisons include Lennie being likened to a bear, a horse, and a terrier. The text describes Lennie as he walks, "the way a bear drags his paws," which suggests his immense size and clumsy movements.
Another comparison is when Lennie drinks from the pool like a horse, "He flung himself down and drank from the surface of the green pool; drank with long gulps, snorting into the water like a horse," emphasizing his animalistic nature and lack of societal manners. Lastly, Lennie is said to hold on to a dead mouse with the determination of a terrier, "Lennie held his closed hand away from George’s direction. 'It’s only a mouse, George. A little dead mouse.' George snapped, 'Give it here!' But Lennie made an elaborate pantomime of innocence.'" These comparisons collectively illustrate Lennie's similarities to animals in terms of physicality and instinct.