Heroic Character In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

“ A hero is someone who steps up when everyone else backs down”. In John Steinbeck's novel Of Mice and Men George could be known as a heroic character from all of the things he has done to help Lennie. Although George may have had problems with his temper, he really demonstrated that he is a loving and committed friend whose continual remarks against living with Lennie never really stopped his commitment to care and protect Lennie. In the novel, George’s earliest words, were a sturdy message to Lennie to not be drinking too much water from the stream or else he could get sick afterwards, which sets the tone in George and Lennie’s relationship. As the story advances, George’s feelings of responsibility start to grow as he begins to notice that

he carries Lennie’s future, and life, in his hands. When George was talking to Slim he admitted that he had abused Lennie, which shows he is able to commit change. George sees that this world is designed to pick on the weak, and he is almost obligated in way to walk into the part of a hero when he completed an unimaginable act to rescue Lennie from torture and pain.
In the beginning of the novel, George is a dreamer, believing in the story of the ranch that he even tells Lennie the story.

He waits for the times where he can do whatever he wants and to live safely with Lennie and far from people who only seem to cause problems for them. The story of the ranch, and Lennie’s and George’s loyalty to one another, brings out one of the themes of the novel, friendship. George could just have had left Lennie when he wanted, but he notices how much they both need each other. George does admit to controlling Lennie, like forcing him to jump into the river when he was aware that he couldn't swim. Lennie did almost drown and George felt so sorry that from that day, he guarded him from any trouble. For example, When they were in Weed. "I was jus' a little bit off, and I heard all the yellin', so I comes running, an' by that time Lennie's so scared all he can think to do is jus' hold on." Lennie touched the girl's dress and she screamed and pulled away but he held on and wouldn't let go. After that the girl had accused him of rape, so George and Lennie hid in the irrigation ditch so that Lennie won’t get in trouble. When they begin the new job George makes sure to tell Lennie if he got into any trouble, to hide in the brush until he gets back in order to protect him. George had to be ready for any trouble because Lennie just can’t seem to get out of problems for

long.
Furthermore, throughout the entire story George constantly does every single thing he is able to do to protect his friend Lennie.

When they were on the ranch and the boss asked Lennie several questions, George answers them to ensure that he doesn't say anything that will cost them their job. He also always recalls the land that they are aiming to purchase. That land demonstrates a whole new world in which they can live freely with one another. As the novel continues, the men’s dream to own that ranch becomes more determined, that they even draw in Candy to join in. Candy gets attached to the thinking of having freedom and choosing the work he does just like George. He still wanted to continue their dream of going to the ranch even after he found out what Lennie had done. After, Lennie kills Curley’s wife he hides in the brush exactly how George told him to. Lennie said,

"George."
"Yeah?"
"I done another bad thing."
"It don't make no difference," George said, and he fell silent again.”
George knew that he would need to execute a violent crime to provide a merciful death to his good friend’s life. By ending Lennie’s life, George did not only spare him a horrifying death, but he gives up his dream of their perfect ranch. That bullet that he shot into Lennie’s head that terminates his life, shatters George’s dream from the beginning of the novel of a destined future with his one and only friend.