Euthanasia In John Steinbeck's 'Of Mice And Men'

Isabelle Lisi

Ms. Siragusa

Language Arts

February 14, 2018

To End Suffering

The word “euthanasia” is derived from the greek word “Eu Thanos,” which means “good death.” Euthanasia, or mercy killing, is the action of putting a person or animal to death painlessly to end their suffering. Mercy killing is a moral way to show compassion to a loved one who is suffering.

In the novella Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck, George Milton is faced with a difficult decision when his friend, Lennie Small, murders the wife of another important character named Curley. George must choose to leave Lennie at the mercy - or lack thereof - of Curley, or to step in and end his life, thus saving him from the torture he would’ve faced otherwise. George made a promise to Lennie’s aunt Clara before she passed away to care for Lennie, and he feels responsible for the larger man. In order to protect Lennie, George shot him in the back of the head. In a conversation with Candy, George states, “I ain’t gonna let them hurt Lennie” (Steinbeck 95). Lennie

They argue that life is precious and should be valued, no matter how much or how little a person has left. A person’s life should be treasured and not carelessly thrown away. However, if they are sick and living a life of agony, they should be able to choose when to die. In “My Right to Death with Dignity at 29,” by Brittany Maynard, Brittany has a severe brain tumor and will die within six months. She says that no one should be told to commit euthanasia, but “Who has the right to tell me that I don't deserve this choice? That I deserve to suffer for weeks or months in tremendous amounts of physical and emotional pain?” (Maynard) No one should be forced to suffer when there is a simpler alternative. And if a person like George Milton or John Wise steps in to help facilitate a more peaceful death for their loved one, then it should be seen as an act of selflessness, not