How Is Friendship Important In Of Mice And Men

In Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck, the importance of friendship is constantly being illustrated. George Milton and Lennie Small, the two main characters of this story move to Soledad, California in search of a job. Throughout the story, their friendship encounters many trials and tribulations that seem to only contribute to the strength of their relationship. In reality, underlying sorrow and anger has forced George to make a challenging decision, killing his best friend. Lennie demonstrates naivety and dependance in his relationship with George, which shows that unstable friendships push people to make difficult decision. Small’s naive personality has affected his relationship with George so much that he ended up making a very painful

He shook her then, and he was angry with her. ‘Don’t you go yellin’,’ he said, and he shook her; and her body flopped like a fish. And then she was still, for Lennie had broken her neck” (91). When the author says, “and he shook her; and her body flopped like a fish,” it shows that he has a lack of judgement. If he had good judgement then he would’ve not touched Curley’s wife in the first place. The quote also reveals that Lennie takes action before thinking, this then affects all his relationships. Next, in the middle of the book, Slim asks George why they moved from Weed to Soledad. He responds by explaining that Lennie was petting a woman’s dress and wouldn’t let go. George explains, “‘He was so scairt he couldn’t let go of that dress. And he’s so God damn strong, you know.’ Slim’s eyes were level and unwinking. He nodded very slowly. ‘So what happens?’ George carefully built his line of solitaire cards. ‘Well, that girl rabbits in an’ tells the law she been raped. The guys in Weed start a party out to lynch Lennie” (92). Throughout the book, Lennie shows no change of learning what he shouldn’t or shouldn’t do, making him a static character. This makes George frustrated, making their friendship