Final answer:
The fight between Lennie and Curley is ironic because Lennie does not understand why he is being attacked and despite Curley's boxing skills, Lennie's sheer strength overpowers him when he defends himself.
Step-by-step explanation:
The fight between Lennie and Curley in John Steinbeck's novel Of Mice and Men is ironic primarily because Lennie is attacked for no reason and is confused as to why Curley wants to fight him, which aligns with option B. Lennie is a gentle giant with limited mental capabilities and does not initially intend to fight back. Curley, on the other hand, is insecure and aggressive, seeking to compensate for his small stature by picking fights with larger men. The irony lies in the fact that despite Curley's experience as a boxer, he mistakenly perceives Lennie as an easy target due to his gentle nature and big size, not realizing Lennie's strength. So, when Lennie does defend himself, he easily overpowers Curley, which is unexpected for everyone, including Lennie himself.