Steinbeck foreshadows Lennie's fate several times throughout the novella. Lennie's inability to understand his own strength, ability to accidentally kill sensitive animals, and tendency to get into serious trouble foreshadows the accidental murder of Curley's wife, which directly leads to Lennie's death. Lennie's incident in Weed particularly foreshadows the fact that he will hurt Curley's wife. In addition to Lennie's checkered past and propensity for accidentally harming small animals, Crooks's comment about nobody's dream ever coming true foreshadows the fact that George and Lennie's fantasy of owning their own estate will not come to fruition. The most prominent example of foreshadowing Lennie's death takes place in chapter 3 when Carlson shoots and kills Candy's lame dog. Candy's helpless, old dog parallels Lennie, who is also vulnerable, weak, and helpless. Carlson shoots Candy's dog in the back of the head to put it out of its misery, which is similar to the way that George shoots Lennie in the back of the head to prevent Curley's mob from brutally murdering him.
For an example of how Steinbeck foreshadows Lennie's death, take a look at chapter 6. In the first paragraph, for example, Steinbeck describes a heron killing a snake that it plucks from the water. Symbolically, the heron and the snake represent George and Lennie—specifically, George's merciful killing of Lennie at the end of the story.
In addition, we can find lots of examples that Lennie will get into serious trouble, trouble which might cost his life. In chapter 1, for instance, George reminds Lennie of what he should do if he gets into trouble. Lennie responds that he should hide in the bush and wait for George to come and get him. This is one example of how Steinbeck hints to the reader that Lennie will get into serious danger.
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