Of Mice And Men Companionship

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In John Steinbeck’s novella, Of Mice and Men, an exploration of idealized male friendship unfolds amid the Great Depression. Set on a ranch in Soledad, California, we see the profound companionship between George Milton and Lennie Small progress in one weekend full of comedy and tragedy. Their characters and love for each other display brotherhood, loyalty, sacrifice, and the search for belonging in a world of loneliness. In Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck explores the vital significance of companionship amidst the challenges of the Great Depression. The story follows two unlikely companions, George and Lennie, as they travel to a ranch in California to get the funds to buy a ranch. Lennie is not as intelligent as George and has already messed up in …show more content…

I want you to stay with me here”(104) George says this to Lennie at the end, showing the reader that George needs Lennie as much as Lennie needs George, for companionship. Psychologist and Spiritual teacher Tal Mandelbaum, once stated, “We always seek to feel good and steer clear of whatever might make us suffer or feel bad. That is our constant motivation in life.” This quote about human nature shows that throughout Of Mice and Men George and Lennie’s motivation to work on a farm to get one of their own is driven by their seek of happiness and aim to keep away from suffering. Whether it is the motivation to own their land or finding companionship, they are guided by avoiding the challenges of the Great Depression and seeking to improve their lives. Curley, Curley’s wife, and Candy also demonstrate this human nature by avoiding their struggles and seeking the good in life through companionship with each other. George and Lennie view themselves as special, and lucky to have each other as best friends, but when Lennie messes up and runs south, George knows he must be the one to kill Lennie and not make the same mistake Lennie did. George was in a heart-wrenching dilemma, but in it, he still made the right

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