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John steinbeck research
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John steinbecks writings samples
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“Friendship is like standing on wet cement. The longer you stay, the harder it is to leave, and you can never go without leaving your footprints behind” (unknown). This quote is a perfect example of the relationship between the two main characters, George and Lennie, in John Steinbeck’s novel Of Mice and Men . Steinbeck shows how George and Lennie take care of one another, how they support one another in the ambition of their dream, and how George and Lennie make sacrifices and responsible for each other. George and Lennie’s relationship shows us the true meaning of friendship. George and Lennie take care of one another. During the novel Of Mice and Men, George tells Lennie “if you get in trouble hide in the brush” (Steinbeck 15). This shows how George protects Lennie. George tells Lennie this to keep him out of trouble and not to get caught doing something stupid because Lennie tends to not follow the directions …show more content…
given by George. Another example of how George and Lennie take care of one another is when George tells Lennie “Cas I want you to stay with me” (13). This states that George doesn’t want Lennie to leave him because he still cares for Lennie. If George didn’t have Lennie, George wouldn’t have someone to care for. Steinbeck also shows how George and Lennie caring for one another when Lennie tells George “I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you” (14). This shows that Lennie and George look out for each other. This also shows how Lennie wants George to look out for him because Lennie can cause trouble and ruin their job on the ranch for the both of them. It’s clear that George and Lennie show friendship towards one another when they take responsibility’s for each other. George and Lennie support one another in striving after their shared dream. In the novel Of Mice and Men George and Lennie had a dream to “live off the fatta the lan”. Lennie tells himself “now I won’t get to tend the rabbits, now he won’t let me” (85). This shows that Lennie has got himself in trouble and if George finds out about what Lennie has done he won’t get to tend the rabbits when they “live off the fatta the lan”. Lennie wants to tend rabbits because he craves the feeling of soft things, which is the token to his child-like behavior. When Lennie and George say they want to “live off the fatta the lan” (57). This represents the dignity of the American Dream. When George and Lennie attempt of their dream, George tells Lennie “with us it ain’t like that, we got a future, we got somebody to talk to that gives a damn about us” (14). This provides that Lennie and George have each other and have a future planned with one another. George and Lennie’s plan for the future is their dream. George and Lennie make sacrifices for one another and show responsibilities for one another.
In Of Mice and Men the boss at the ranch George and Lennie are working at, told George “well I have never seen one guy take so much trouble for another guy” (22). This explains that George always looked out for Lennie and stuck up for Lennie. If Lennie would cause trouble at the ranch George would take the blame. When George stuck up for Lennie he told Curley “the poor bastard’s nuts. Don’t shoot I’m. He didn’t know what he was doing” (98). George was trying to protect Lennie from getting killed. Curley wanted to kill Lennie because not only did Lennie kill Curley’s wife but he also caused Curley to lose his hand. George tells slim “he ain’t no cuckoo. He’s dumb as hell but he ain’t crazy” (39). Slim told George that he didn’t know why George would stick around with such a cuckoo like Lennie. This quote shows George sticking up for Lennie. This quote shows George sticking up for Lennie. There are many sacrifices George and Lennie face to take care of each
other. George and Lennie have a very unique relationship in exploring their friendship. George and Lennie’s friendship is put to the test when George and Lennie take care or one another, when George and Lennie support one another in striving after their shared dream and when they make sacrifices for one another and take responsibilities for each other. George and Lennie keep each in line other while also treating each other as friends.
is in the air. Animals begin to scatter. Two men have arrived on the scene,
Of Mice and Men - George and Lennie seem to have a very close friendship
... talking about killing Lennie and doing all of these horrible acts of hate to him, but George made a comment to try to help him. “I’ll come. But listen, Curley. The poor bastard’s nuts. Don’t shoot ‘im. He di’nt know what he was doing” (98). This shows how strongly George feels for his friend, Lennie.
There are a variety of relationship of people can have with other people. In John Steinbeck's novels, relationships between characters can be difficult, but are always important. The central relationship in Of Mice and Men is between Lennie and George.
George and Lennie take care of each other through out the story. In the story it says, “Because… because I got you to look after me and you have me to look after you, and that’s why” (Steinbeck14). This quote means that as long as George and Lennie are together, they take care of each other no matter what happens to them. This goes with the topic because they take care of
“The best laid schemes of mice of men often go awry”. George and Lennie go through a series of events that get them in trouble and they have to go and find somewhere else to work. Lennie gets them in trouble three times and it causes problems with their farm dream. The last time Lennie does a bad thing, he has to get shot by George and George shoots him. George shoots him so he doesn’t have to suffer from curley.
Relationships are an important essence of life. Humans need relationships because we are dependent on each other to survive. Babies need their mothers to feed and nurse them, and friends need each other to support, comfort, sympathize, and understand them. The friendship between George and Lennie outlined the core of Of Mice and Men, and although it’s sometimes idealized and exaggerated throughout the novel, there is no question of its sincerity. Lennie thinks of George as his only friend, his guardian, someone who he can trust and depend on, someone who had accepted him for who he is despite his childlike tendencies. Every time he did something wrong, his only thoughts would be of George’s disapproval. “I done a real bad thing. I shouldn’t have did that. George’ll be mad. An’… he said…. An’ hide in the brush till he come. He’s gonna be mad.” (pg. 92) On the other hand, George thinks of Lennie as a constant source of frustration, and as he frequently mention in the novel, “God, you’re a lot of trouble. I could get along so easy and nice if I didn’t have you on my t...
True friends are difficult to find in life, especially as an adult. Lennie, a main character in Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, was lucky enough to have George, despite all the odds he faced with mental illness. Lennie, having a tall, stocky frame, was intimidating to many people at first glance (Steinbeck 2). However, after they discovered his childlike nature, he quickly became an easy target for ridicule and violence. George sacrifices a normal life to protect Lennie and those he encounters. This relationship is crucial to their survival. The importance of friendship is a major theme found in the book. This is shown through the character’s strong bond between one another, how they face society in the 1930s, and how they influence each other’s actions.
You can 't keep a job and you lose me ever ' job I get. Jus ' keep me shovin ' all over the country all the time. An ' that ain 't the worst. You get in trouble. You do bad things and I got to get you out. ' His voice rose nearly to a shout. 'You crazy son-of-a-bitch. You keep me in hot water all the time. ' ¨ (Steinbeck 11).George if feeling anger at Lennie because he always forgets things and isn 't very bright. He gets mad because he always has to answer Lennie´s silly questions and Lennie doesn 't understand how much George has done for him.George knows Lennie is mentally ill and since his Aunt Clara died he has no one to take care of him so George is being selfless by taking in Lennie and putting his life before his own.Since George take in Lennie, when Lennie gets in trouble George has to leave with Lennie even though it wasn 't George 's fault. He puts Lennie 's problems. In front of his own and solves them in order to help Lennie.George knows Lennie gets in a lot of trouble. George is taking the risk of getting in trouble along with Lennie if anything were to happen to Lennie. George is willing to help Lennie by taking care of him and helping him the best he can.In Of Mice and Men, by Steinbeck, George takes in Lennie
George’s relationship with Lennie has made him selfless; his conversations, with and with out Lennie, are generally revolving around Lennie, although in the case of their dream-ranch George seems to find fulfilment for himself as well. Due to these altruistic tendencies that he shows throughout the novel, a danger is bestowed upon George; he tends to care for Lennie far too much, and too little for himself. In occasional moments, he escapes his sympathy and compassion for Lennie, and realises the burden that he causes. This usually results in George taking his frustration out on Lennie, which can often harm his simple mind, leaving Lennie upset and forced to confess to his own uselessness, and George feeling guilty for what he has caused. We can learn very little about George through his actual conversations, which made it necessary for Steinbeck to focus the novel on him in particular, and let the reader gain an closer insight on him through his actions. Generally, he seems to be caring, intelligent and sensible, but is greatly worn by the constant attention Lennie requires. This illustrates a major theme in Of Mice and Men, the dangers that arise when one becomes involved in a dedicated relationship.
They are an extraordinary team, with Lennie being of monstrous size with a simple mind, and George being a smart and typical worker. Many times throughout the novel, Lennie threatens to go live in a cave to leave George alone so he won't have to take care of him anymore. However, George always explains to Lennie that he wants him by his side at all times because he knows they need each other: "No! I was just foolin', Lennie. 'Cause I want you to stay with me. .
This is the main conflict. As the two men move throughout the novel, it is apparent they are clinging together in the face of loneliness and alienation. George and Lennie are insecure, with no permanent jobs, no real home, and separated from their families. Also, in the end, it was society which leads to George into killing Lennie. After Lennie gets into the debacle with Curley’s wife, he runs to the oasis described at the beginning of the book. George fears the men will tear Lennie apart and murder him. He also knew he would be institutionalized, or “caged” if he survived the attacks. He had the moral clarity that lets him see that killing Lennie is the what is best for him. When George kills Lennie, it’s a kind of mercy killing. It’s clear that killing Lennie is the right thing to do, and George is manning up by pulling the trigger. We know this because Steinbeck gives a contrasting example of Candy, who says that he "shouldn 't ought to of let no stranger shoot [his] dog" (39). Second, Slim says, "You hadda, George. I swear you hadda" (107), and Slim is the novel 's ideal man. His Struggles against society carry on even after Lennie’s death. He now faces living alone without friendship or hope. It is also the death of his dream; owning a shack on an acre of land that they can call their own.
In Of Mice and Men, George shows the weight of responsibility on taking care of Lennie. George knows he could be better off without Lennie. “When I think of the swell time I could have without you, I go nuts,” George finally expresses. He even tells the other farm hands, “If I was alone, I could live so easy.” George often keeps his “single like” in the back of his mind. Even so, George stands up for Lennie many times. His advice is always in Lennie’s best interest. He watches out for Lennie when he keeps hold of Lennie’s work card and bus pass. George also knows that he and Lennie wouldn’t have jobs if he didn’t make Lennie keep quiet. Lennie cannot take care of himself without George. With George watching out for Lennie like he does, Lennie’s mishaps can also have detrimental effects on George’s life. George loses his job and his best friend because of his connection with George.
The famed nurses study from Harvard found “Not having a close friend is as detrimental to your health as smoking.” Lennie and George’s friendship is necessary to keep the better for each other. Throughout the story, Lennie and George need each other and look out for one another no matter what. Lennie and George’s friendship and journey throughout the story symbolizes the struggles to achieve the American dream. Steinbeck, in the story Of Mice and Men, combines characterization and symbolism to prove friends do whats best for eachother.
Although it seemed like George and Lennie’s relationship was not very equitable, a thorough examination of their interactions, conversations and time spent together revealed that they indeed had a true friendship. Thus, the men were always there to back each other up; they accepted one another; and George always knew the right decisions for Lennie. In conclusion, Steinbeck shows us that a true friendship can be a bit difficult at times, but in the end, the two can come together to make the perfect team that will always have each other for support. When the time comes for you, and you find “the perfect friend”, you should think to yourself: Would this person ever be as close to me as George and Lennie were in the book, Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck?