John Steinbeck Friendship

Friends Till the End
In life, friendship is the ultimate connection among us. This is shown throughout stories and books untold. John Steinbeck writes about such a bond between characters George Milton and Lennie Small in the book Of Mice and Mice. Although these characters’ friendship is put through life’s test during the Great Depression, they still chase their American Dream. Steinbeck conveys through George and Lennie how a true friendship leads to a higher understanding of yourself and others.
From the start, Lennie and George share a uniquely special type of friendship. When Lennie and George set up camp for the night, George must act quickly to mend any broken feelings. Lennie tells George, “If you don’ want me I can go off in the

hills an’ find a cave. I can go away any time.” (Steinbeck 12) and George replies, “No-look! I was jus’ foolin’, Lennie.’Cause I want you to stay with me.” (Steinbeck 12) Although Lennie can be a burden at times, George knows his dream would be lost without Lennie. However much Lennie may resemble a man, he is a child at heart, and he creates a fresh outlook for George. This is additionally proven when Lennie offers imaginary ketchup to George, saying “But I wouldn’t eat
none, George. I’d leave it all for you.” (Steinbeck 12) Lennie’s juvenile actions can’t help but strengthen the link of closeness the men share.
Further along in the book, the men’s acquaintance is found to be based off of the very foundations of friendship- sticking together. Despite the fact that it was uncommon for men to travel together during their time period, Lennie and George stay together. As Lennie states, “But not us! An’ why? Because… because I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you, and that's why.” (Steinbeck 14) Despite the flack that the two men receive, their belief in their dream and each other keep them going. Likewise, when Curley questions them on their traveling together, George stands firm. "We travel together," said George coldly. ’Oh, so it's that way.’George was tense and motionless. ‘Yea, it's that way.’” (Steinbeck 25) George does not accept any bait about Lennie and him. This portrays George’s feelings about being one for all and all for one.
Finally, the extreme test of friendship comes at the end of the novel.

Lennie accidentally strangles Curley’s wife, and must pay the steep price of Curley’s wrath. Knowing that whatever Curley has in plan will be horrible, George kills Lennie as a mercy killing. However, he doesn’t let his friend go without telling him some valuable words of, “No, Lennie. I ain’t mad. I never been mad, an’ I ain’t now. That’s a thing I want you to know.”(Steinbeck 106) However somber the moment, George is able to comfort his friend. Additionally, George shoots Lennie in the most humane way possible. “And George raised the gun and steadied it, and he brought the muzzle of it close to the back of Lennie’s head… He pulled the trigger.” (Steinbeck 106) George does this so his friend does not have to suffer more than he has to. On the whole, George’s actions show how the acts of friendship can sometimes be the hardest.

George and Lennie reveal on how one can gain insight from friendship and raise self-awareness on not only yourself, but other people as well. The men’s friendship form from a simple beginning, one that comes from being in touch with each other’s emotions. Later on, their companionship matures when they support each other emotionally. In the end, George’s friendship comes through when he intervenes with Curley’s rage, by killing Lennie himself, rather than let Lennie undergo a much worst death. The friendship of Lennie and George portrays a deep insight on the complex ways friendship can change and evolve a

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