George and Lennie’s Loyalty
Of Mice and Men, is based during the Great Depression, the novella teaches a harsh lesson about the nature of human existence. The novellas main recurring theme is how lonely and isolated each of the characters feel which is why the friendship between George and Lennie is met with suspicion and jealously as it was hard and rare for a lasting sense of loyalty to form and stay strong among men. In this essay I intend to show all the main points of loyalty George and Lennie exhibit to each other and how its seen from others perspective.
After the great depression when money was scarce and jobs where hard to get, society lived in a dog eat dog world which is why this relationship is such a special one to all those
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who see it whether they are the character of the novella or the reader experiencing it. Steinbeck shows us from the point of view of Slim that the loyalty and friendship that George and Lennie demonstrate is not all that common for the time period they live in. Even Slim himself seem jealous of the loyalty the two men have to each other, “Ain’t many guy’s travel around together…” Slim’s dialogue in this clearly tells us that their relationship is a rare one and that their stand point on loyalty is shared only by few as in Slims opinion “ever’body in the whole damn world is scared of each other.” This informs the reader that not even Slim is used to seeing loyalty between two men which helps emphasise how unique of a relationship it is. Many people who encounter George and Lennie have very different views on their relationship. Whereas slim viewed it with a slight essence of jealous as shown in the point above, Curley on the other hand immediately viewed it with suspicion this is shown in is conversation with George. “we travel together… oh so its that way… yea, it’s that way…” with this two-way conversation Curley makes suggestions that George and Lennie are gay. George who fully understands what Curley means with the innuendo defends that his and Lennie’s relationship and loyalty no matter how special it is, it’s just that, a friendship. This shows the reader On the first look at their relationship show a clear comparison of a father son relationship between the two men.
George seems to have a unique understanding that Lennie need him and takes up a paternal role in the other mans life, going as far as to take the dead mouse off him and scolding him when he doesn’t listen as shown in the quote, “you gonna give me that mouse or do I have to sock you?” Lennie, on the other hand seems to idolise George and constantly asks to be told about the farm, which in itself, can be considered a bed time story of sorts, and mimics Georges movements and actions as show buy the writer “Lennie, who had been watching, imitated George exactly.” Dialogue and what the writer tells us show us the loyalty in these quotes, this shows the reader both Georges no nonsense parental side and Lennie’s innocent and childish traits. These things help the reader understand how close the two men really are, their closeness is also attested to how long they have known each other it which also helps get an idea of their personalities, as people let their guard down around the people they trust or know very …show more content…
well. An important part of George and Lennie’s relationship is their shared past together, this includes the fact that George used to bully Lennie. During a conversation with Slim George tells him that in the past he used to bully and abuse Lennie’s trust in him, he informs Slim that the bullying only stopped when Lennie nearly died. “… I was feelin’ pretty smart. I turns to Lennie and say ‘jump in.’ An’ he jumps. Couldn’t swim a stroke. He damn near drowned before we could get him…’ the short sentences help show the seriousness of what George did, were some readers may argue that this shows no loyalty at all and is only George being mean and nasty to Lennie, it was what George said next and how Lennie reacted that shows that true loyalty between them, “… he was so damn nice to me for pullin’ him out. Clean forgot I told him to jump in. Well I ain’t done nothing like that no more.” This shows that even though George told Lennie to jump he still forgave him and was still his friend because George pulled him from the water.
Lennie shows loyalty to George when Crooks starts talking about how George isn’t going to come back at that he is going to leave Lennie, this makes Lennie upset at first at the thought of George leaving him but when Crooks goes on to say that maybe George got hurt Lennie immediately jumps to his defence demanding “Who hurt George.” this short sentence shows that Lennie is willing to harm someone if he thought that they had hurt George, and it helps paint a more even side relationship between the two as even though George is the leader Lennie is still willing to get his hands dirty if he thought it could help his best friend. Georges biggest show of loyalty to Lennie was when he killed him to protect him from being killed by Curley and the other farm hands or possibly being caged like a wild animal, this is shown when Steinbeck told us that “his hand shook violently” this shows that it was in no means easy for George to kill Lennie, this quote also shows us that he found it had to deal with the thought of killing Lennie. Slim understands that it had to be done as shown in the quote “you hadda, George I swear you hadda…” this shows that there was no possible positive alterative for Lennie because if George hadn’t killed him he would have been locked up with no one to help him or take care of him, by killing him George can be considered showing Lennie a small mercy. Although to some people this could be seen as the ultimate betrayal as Lennie trusted that George would protect him if he got into trouble and if he did as he was told and hide in the bush but instead all he got was a bullet to the back of the head, which to some could be seen a major act of disloyalty to Lennie from George. This is why that part of the book always causes major conflicting emotions in the reader as they do not know if they should view It as a show of loyalty and an attempt to set Lennie free from this harsh world or a show of disloyalty as he was betrayed by the one of the people he loved and cared for most in this world. For this essay I conclude that George and Lennie have a complex relationship based of mutual need and understanding I believe that there is plenty of loyalty between the two men and that their friendship is a special and unique one that should be cherished by all those who get to witness it whether they be a reader of the book or a character who gets to witness it first hand. Aimee hegarty D16
George and Lennie were lifelong friends and had varying personalities even from the start. Lennie thought about how his Aunt Clara said he should have been more like George. At the time when the story took place, the two men were travelling together, and had been for some time, working and then moving on to search for the next job they could find. They were like many other men in search for work, except it was rare for men to travel together. George felt a need to take care of Lennie because he was somewhat slow. George was an average man of the time. He was a good size, nice, but firm, and he had aspirations to be more than just a nomadic laborer. Lennie, on the other hand, had always been a little different. He was big, goofy, clumsy, but sweet. They were also both good workers. George was concerned with working and getting his money before they got into trouble and had to leave camp. Lennie was the one who normally started the trouble. He was a hard worker and lived to appease George, but he got distracted easily which angered George. George told about how they would own a house and a farm together and work for themselves. Lennie loved to hear the story and think about the possibilities, even though nobody knew if any of it was a possibility. George and Lennie's differences in part led to George's inclination to kill Lennie. Despite their dissimilarity, the two men needed each other probably more than they realized.
A friendship is a special relationship between peoples , It occurs between friend that care about each other. In talking about friendship , the novella from John Steinbeck “Of Mice and Men”. Two friends George and Lennie ,they are trying to find a job together to complete their dream of having a farm. But Lennie is an adult size with a child's mind, he gets in trouble a lot and as his friend, George helping him solve the problem and taking care of Lennie. Later George and Lennie finds a new job , but George lies to the boss about the problem that Lennie has.
is in the air. Animals begin to scatter. Two men have arrived on the scene,
In this book George is constantly taking care of Lennie and is always reassuring him that they will have their own land and be able to tend the rabbits. George doesn’t actually believe in this dream which shows how he is willing to say anything to make Lennie happy. Also, George is constantly bringing up how easy his life would be without Lennie, he said "God almighty, if I was alone I could live so easy. I could get a job a work, an no trouble (12). This quote shows how George is aware that Lennie is holding him back from making more money but how he choices to stay with him because they have a genuine friendship. George takes his parental figure role seriously and would never leave him.
Of Mice and Men - George and Lennie seem to have a very close friendship
The emotional symbiosis between George and Lennie helps each man. Lennie’s attachment to George is most strongly visible when Crooks suggests George is not coming back. Lennie is almost moved to hysterics and his fear does not quickly abate. George prefers to feign dislike for Lennie to Lennie’s face: “I could get along so easy and so nice if I didn’t have you on my tail” (7). When pressed, George reveals his true feelings for Lennie. “I want you to stay with me Lennie” (13). They stay together because “It’s a lot easier to go around with a guy you know” (35). Both men need and value their strong emotional relationship.
chance I get I’ll give you a pup” (p14) then he gets George to re tell
George cares a lot about Lennie and makes sure that he doesn't have to worry about anything. Even though Lennie is mentally ill George doesn't abandon him, but takes him everywhere. Though Lennie can't really do anything to help them with money wise George still lets Lennie tend the rabbits at there dream ranch. Lennie likes touching soft things and goes too far whenever he pets something soft and George knows that so he doesn't let him touch any of the animals on the ranch or on the way to the ranch but it is all out of care for Lennie. George also doesn't want Lennie to kill any more animals too. George also sometimes uses Lennie to his advantage. He uses him like a shield since Lennie is strong, enormous, and masculine and George is small and the brains of the duo. George doesn't have what it takes to defend himself so he uses Lennie to do so like the time when Curley picked on Lennie he told Lennie to get him even though he knew Lennie could kill him. All the things George does is like any father towards his son, Lennie, so their relationship not any ordinary best friend relationship. It is actually more than
when he got in trouble at Weed. If George were not a good friend, he
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 did a real bad thing. I shouldn’t have done that. George’ll be mad at me.
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.
“Of Mice and Men”, by John Steinbeck is a novel about the hardships of life and the importance of having other people around. The story is of two men trying to survive with one another in a world full of loneliness; their relationship is quite rare and strange. Lennie, a large bear, has a mental disability which causes him to be in a childlike state. George, a much smaller and more competent man takes care of both of them. Although they work for others on ranches, their dream is to get by on their own and live off the land. However, Lennie’s state causes conflict as they travel from job to job. Steinbeck uses clever ways in his novel to develop his theme and characters as the story progresses; both of these elements also help create a large
First of all, George has given off a sense of friendship to a lot of other characters. First of all, George will always be supportive of Lennie in the long run. Lennie has gotten in trouble in weed and now they are on their way to Soledad. It is nighttime and George is a little bothered with Lennie, but he does not want Lennie to feel bad about anything. George says to Lennie “I want you to stay with me, Lennie.” (13). George needs the companionship from Lennie no matter what situation they are in. He does not ever want to upset Lennie. Even though Lennie gets them in trouble every job, George still needs him just to be with him because he loves friendship. George will always stick with Lennie. In addition, George tries to cheer Lennie up if he is confused or just did something wrong.George and Lennie are still on their way to Soledad after what happened in Weed. Lennie wants to be cheered up after having issues in Weed. George says to Lennie, “ Ok someday-we’re gonna get the jack together and we’re gonna have a little house and a couple of acres an’ a cow and some pigs.” George is telling Lennie no matter what happens to us at this moment later in life they are going to have a whole house together. Lennie loves when George tells him a story because Lennie knows that there is hope in their dreams. No matter what George will try to cheer Lennie up. George knows how much Lennie loves animals, and telling him this will keep their friendship very strong. George and Lennie will always have a friendship because they have been with each other for such a long period of time.
In the novella Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, there are three important characters that George and Lennie meet from the new ranch they're working at: Slim, Crooks, and Curley. Without them and their roles in the story, it wouldn't be the same.
The connection between George and Lennie illustrates the adversity during their course towards achieving the American dream. Things Lennie did, either on accident or purpose, foreshadowed what was going to happen in the book and the way people acted impacted this. Like millions of other people, George and Lennie were affected during the great depression heavily, and dreamt of owning land of their own. They worked from place to place making barely any money, and didn’t have a real home. To add to this, Lennie got in trouble a lot and in the end George had to make the crucial decision to shoot Lennie so he wouldn’t have to deal with any more difficulty. George knew he had to do what was best for Lennie and himself.