George's Act Was Justified

The Great Depression was a severe economic catastrophe that greatly destroyed America in the 1930’s, stripping millions of their once stable and familiar lives and leaving America damaged. In John Steinbeck’s novel, Of Mice and Men, the story concludes with the main character George shooting his closest friend Lennie, who is mentally disabled. Although many readers believe George’s act was not justified because George had no right to cut Lennie’s life short, his act was justified because the outcome of letting him live would have been grave either way; either Curley shooting Lennie, or Lennie and George having to run away, only for this problematic cycle to repeat.

Many readers believe George shooting Lennie was a selfish act, and was a way

for George to get rid of the burden of caring for Lennie. Throughout the novella, Lennie accompanies George, continuously causing trouble. Lennie instinctively grabs at soft things, which has caused multifarious problems, including when he grabbed a young woman's dress and wouldn’t let go. That, unfortunately, led to the two having to find a new job. He’s childish, and caring for a man with a child-like personality would end up having a toll on the other in most cases. Though, George and Lennie’s relationship isn’t like most cases. If it were true George was tired of watching out for Lennie, George would’ve rid of Lennie much earlier in their friendship. Lennie even lets George know that he would run away and leave George to his own devices if he was told so. During one of their conversations, Lennie inquires, “George, you want I should go away and leave you alone?” (Steinbeck 12). George is quick to reassure Lennie that he doesn’t want to continue the journey without him and that he was just joking with him. George is also constantly talking about their future together owning their own place and living off what the land has to offer. He wouldn’t be mentioning all this to Lennie if he didn’t want that to be true, or if he didn’t dream about an amazing and hopeful future like that. He does not want Lennie to leave, and he proves this throughout the story with all the opportunities he had to abandon Lennie and continue without him. Yet, he stays by his side.
Even though George committed an act of homicide, and has no right to end someone else’s life, George did have a valid and justified reason for killing his friend.

He knew Curley would end up killing Lennie, as Curley claimed earlier, “I’m gonna shoot the guts outta that big bastard myself, even if I only got one hand. I’m gonna get ‘im.” (Steinbeck 98). If George shot Lennie himself rather than Curley, some readers believe this would possibly make the others more accepting of George, seeing that George is taking their side. It could also mean protecting himself, being sure that he would keep his job rather than have Lennie ruin his chances once again. Alternatively, it is more likely that George shot Lennie for an entirely different reason. Earlier in the novella, a similar situation had happened with Candy and his dog. Candy and his dog are parallel to George and Lennie. Like Lennie, Candy’s dog was a burden to have around, though was loyal and kept Candy company. Eventually, it was decided to put the dog out of its misery, and the dog was shot by Carlson. Candy later tells George, “I oughtta of shot that dog myself, George. I shouldn’t oughtta of let no stranger shoot my dog.” (Steinbeck 61). Carlson was the one who shot the dog, showing no heart when he ended the dog's life. What Candy said left a lasting effect on George, foreshadowing his decision to end Lennie’s misery himself, rather than have him die a brutal, horrific, and hateful death. Lennie is a danger to

others, as George comes to learn. It would be greatly inhumane and cruel to lock him up, or have him get shot multiple times by Curley, so with a heavy heart George decided it would be best if he shot Lennie himself. George wants to be the one by his side when he goes, and wants to be sure Lennie died happy, thinking about the dreams the two of them had about owning their own land in a perfect home.
A good amount of people may believe that killing him was not the option, and that George had other options to save Lennie’s life and their future.

Unfortunately, George did not have any choice. Lennie was a danger to society, as proven multiple times like the time he killed Curley’s wife. Although he has good intention, he is perilous and unpredictable when it comes to soft objects such as hair or a dress. Over time, George has learned this and has come to terms that Lennie is indeed a hazard to himself and others. He knew that the only other option besides killing Lennie would either run away and continue this toxic cycle or to put Lennie into an inhumane mental institution. He makes the decision it would be best for Lennie and society that he ended his life

now.
Of Mice and Men leaves readers up to their own interpretation of whether it was morally right for George to kill his closest friend. Although he did commit murder, and the possibility that he selfishly shot him to get rid of the burden, the true reason George killed Lennie was to be sure he was the one to end his misery, stop the cycle, and to be sure that Lennie would die by his closest friend in the best way possible and not fall victim to a heartless stranger. George was justified in his act, and it was for Lennie’s best interest, to protect him.