George and Lennie are always are looking out for each other and do what is best for the other person. They care for each other which is something that makes a relationship very strong. George made a promise to Lennie’s Aunt Clara and intends to keep that promise and never break it. The night before George and Lennie arrive at the ranch, Lennie tells George that he can leave if George does not need him anymore. George knows what would happen if Lennie was to go off by himself, so George tells Lennie that he does not want him to leave. “George said, ‘I want you to stay with me, Lennie. Jesus Christ, somebody’d shoot you for a coyote if you was by yourself. No, you stay with me. Your Aunt Clara wouldn’t like you running off by yourself, even …show more content…
if she is dead.’” (13) Before this quote, George is seen being mean to Lennie and driving him away, telling him that he would be better off without him. This quote now shows how George really feels about Lennie, he wants Lennie to stay with him because he knows that if Lennie were to be out all by himself, he would get himself into trouble or shot for a coyote.
George also knows that he made a promise to Lennie’s Aunt Clara that he would keep Lennie safe and protect him from any harm so letting Lennie run away would be breaking his promise which is something George cannot bring himself to do. George wants for both him and Lennie to have a job that they can keep without Lennie doing something to make them leave. George is willing to do anything that he can to make sure that they can keep their job. When George and Lennie meet Curley for the first time, George protects Lennie from the wrath of Curley. Curley walks into the bunkhouse looking for his wife but ends up introducing himself to George and Lennie. Curley asks Lennie questions but Lennie does not answer them, George does to protect both his job and Lennie …show more content…
(24). George yet again may be seen by readers as being mean to Lennie by not letting him talk to anyone. In this case, George is only putting these rules down for Lennie so that both of them can be protected. George knows how Lennie can be when he talks, he seems sort of dumb, so George does not let Lennie talk so that they do not lose their job again and have to go on another hunt to find a new one, protecting the both of them in the long run. George is always looking out for Lennie and doing what is the best for him and making sure that he is safe. After Lennie accidentally kills Curley's wife, George shoots Lennie to protect him from the suffering that would come along with Curley getting ahold of Lennie. While hiding from Curley and his gang, George protects Lennie the only way he knows how. “[. . .] George raised the gun and steadied it, and he brought the muzzle of it close to the back of Lennie’s head. The hand shook violently, but his face set and his hand steadied. He pulled the trigger. The crash of the shot rolled up the hills and rolled down again. Lennie jarred, and then settled slowly forward to the sand, and he lay without quivering” (106). George knows that if Lennie was to be found by Curley and the other men on the ranch, Curley would have beaten him up badly and also get him sent to a prison or a mental asylum. Back in the 1930’s, the prisons and mental asylums had awful living conditions and instead of helping people to get better, they drive people to the point of insanity and even to the point of death. Lennie is one of those people who needs to have someone or some sort of interaction to help keep him sane but taking him to a place like a prison or mental asylum would have only made him suffer. Although killing Lennie was not what George wanted to do to him, he knew that any other option would have been worse. George did what was best to save Lennie and make sure that he would not suffer. George and Lennie always looking after each other and doing the best for each other is what helps to make their relationship stronger than Romeo and Juliet’s. There are some people who may argue that Romeo and Juliet have a stronger relationship than George and Lennie because of the fact that they love each other, they are married, and they would do anything to for each other.
Since Romeo is in love with Juliet, many may say that they have a relationship that has more of a foundation. When first seeing Juliet, Romeo thinks that he is in love with Juliet. “The measure done, I'll watch her place of stand / And, touching hers, make blessèd my rude hand. / Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight, / For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night” (1.5.57-60). After seeing Juliet for the first time, he immediately falls in love even though he earlier on stated that he was in love with a woman named Rosaline. Romeo is so quick to forget about Rosaline which may lead readers to think that the relationship between Romeo and Rosaline was simply infatuation and not the love that Romeo claimed it to be. It also may lead readers to think that the relationship between Juliet and Romeo is infatuation since they are basing their love on looks and because earlier in the day Romeo was head over heels in love with another woman. It took George and Lennie some time to become friends, they have known each other for a while except they were not instantly friends, they had to learn more about each other before they could put their trust in each other’s hands. Because Romeo and Juliet are married, it is reasonably argued that they have a stronger
relationship. After first meeting Romeo, Juliet sends her nurse to go find out Romeo’s name as she did not ask it earlier and she wants to know if she is married. Go ask his name. If he be married, My grave is like to be my wedding bed. His name is Romeo, and a Montague, The only son of your great enemy. My only love sprung from my only hate! Too early seen unknown, and known too late! Prodigious birth of love it is to me That I must love a loathèd enemy. (1.5.148-55) Romeo and Juliet do not even know each other names and do not think to ask them right away as they are just drawn to each other by their looks. They go right into admiring each other’s beauty without even asking the basic questions that people normally ask when first meeting each other, an example being each other’s names. When Juliet does find out Romeo’s name and realizes that he is from the enemy’s family, she is surprised though still is convinced that they are meant for each other. Later on, when Romeo and Juliet get married, they do not even tell anyone about their marriage because they know that there is no way their relationship will work with the feud between their families. If they are not able to even tell their family about their marriage, then the chances of them making as a couple are very low. George and Lennie are not afraid to share that they are friends with anyone, even though it is not common to have friendships during their time. Since Romeo is now married to Juliet, he hopes that the conflict between the two families will not affect their relationship. After Tybalt kills Mercutio, Romeo seeks revenge for his friend, however, he does not want to hurt his new family. Romeo and Tybalt end up fighting in an act of anger which ends up in Romeo killing Tybalt to get the revenge he was looking for (3.1.135-41). Before Romeo acts out and kills Tybalt, he tries not to and attempts to come to peace with Tybalt as he wants to make amends with Juliet’s family so that they do not have to keep their relationship a secret. Instead of continuing to act civil, Romeo and Tybalt fight which results in Tybalt’s death and also causes Romeo to have to flee the city and not be able to be with Juliet. Romeo came to the scene, not wanting to kill Tybalt but to do what is right for both him and his wife, but ends up doing the wrong thing and making a whole mess that he does not know how to clean up. George and Lennie always do what is best for each other, even if it is not always the best for one person. They always keep each other in mind when making decisions and never do something that they know will cause harm to the other. Although arguing that Romeo and Juliet have a stronger relationship is understandable, their relationship has some flaws that weaken it and make it not as strong. Romeo and Juliet do have a strong relationship but George and Lennie have a stronger relationship because they are always there for each other, and they are always looking out for each other. The differences in these two relationships really show how relationships based on love are very different from relationships based on friendship as there are different expectations and different meanings. Just because a relationship is based on love, does not mean that it is a strong relationship.
As George becomes aware of the situation he begins to ponder what will happen if Lennie gets away. George understands that Lennie would not be capable of providing for himself out in the wild. As George contemplates allowing Lennie to be free of all the men, he “[is] a long time in answering” (94). George is one of the few men who understands Lennie’s mental limitations, he knows Lennie would not remember how to survive and “the poor bastard’d starve” (94). He
George wanted to be alone, away from Lennie because he could earn a lot more money without worrying about Lennie. George wants Lennie gone so he could live life without getting into so much trouble like Lennie does. When Lennie gets into trouble then they both get into trouble. George needed Lennie gone in general weather he had to kill him or
is in the air. Animals begin to scatter. Two men have arrived on the scene,
Consistently throughout the story George and Lennie were there for each other; in fact towards the very beginning Lennie and George discussed how they were better off than most guys because they had each other (14). When George killed Lennie a part of him died too, George knew murdering Lennie would hurt him mentally and emotionally. However he did it because he wanted what was best for his friend no matter the cost. His actions were altruistic and that made his decision the more favorable one. Another instance when George was selfless was when he gave up his dream. Throughout the story George and Lennie dreamed of and worked towards owning their own piece of land together. However, after discovering Curley’s wife dead, George returned to reality and informed Candy that they would, “never do her” (94). After losing his friend George understood the impossibility of achieving the American Dream. Beforehand George knew he would not want to live out his dream without Lennie, so by protecting Lennie and giving up on his own dream he put Lennie above himself. Conversely, someone may believe that George's actions were selfish and that he benefits himself by killing Lennie. After George comes after Lennie, the dim-witted man asks if George was going to yell at him. Reluctantly George told him “If I was alone, I could live so easy,” (103). Although George said
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.
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
John Steinbeck wrote the play Of Mice and Men in 1937 (Steinbeck). It is a play about two ranch workers who do not have the best of luck. The two workers were named George and Lennie. George was a more small bodied man. His partner Lennie was a giant among average sized people. They are on the road going place to place working numerous jobs. Lennie has a learning disability. The two work hand and hand. George is there to keep Lennie out of trouble. Lennie in a way helps keep George together. Sometimes it gets difficult for the two but they always get through everything together. They both work hand and hand. George is the brains and Lennie is the muscle. Lennie is a very powerful man so he can do a lot of things normal men cannot do. George is Lennie’s only family or friend he’s all Lennie has in this world. In a way Lennie is all George has also. The two keep one another going throughout their long journey. They work together escape trouble together and keep each other pushing forward. In the end the only thing they have is each other. This story shows that no matter how different two people are they still can relate to each other. It also shows that no matter how independent one thinks he/she is someone can always help them with something (Steinbeck).
First of all, George and Lennie have grown up together and “go everywhere together” (70). They live together and they work together as a team similar to if they were a family. George and Lennie have been together as long as Lennie can remember and they have stuck together their whole lives which shows it is long lasting. Furthermore, no matter how difficult living with Lennie is for George he “wants [Lennie] to stay with [him]” (103-104). George expresses multiple times how easy life would be without Lennie, but the truth is that George needs Lennie and would not want to live without him. Finally, George and Lennie have been together for so many years that “[they] got a future” (115) that they have planned, and work to achieve every day. Someday they plan to make enough money to buy land of their own and have animals, grow crops, and spend the rest of their life together. It is true that Romeo and Juliet were planning on running away and spending the rest of their life together as well, but on the contrary, Romeo and Juliet do not have a long lasting relationship. They believed they were in love because they “ne’er saw true beauty till this night” (1.5.59-60) of the party at the Capulet’s. This is purely infatuation because they only went off of each other’s looks and they both did not know anything about each other. Unlike George and Lennie, they did not take time to build their relationship which proves that Romeo and Juliet do not have a long lasting relationship, and yet again proves that George and Lennie’s relationship is
“‘…That was your own Aunt Clara. An’ she stopped givin’ ‘em to ya. You always killed ‘em.’” (Page 9, Paragraph 7) George also knows that there is nothing he can do for Lennie’s mental and physical state. After they learn about Curley’s wife and meet her, George warns Lennie to stay away from her: “‘Well, you keep away from her, ‘cause she’s a rattrap if I ever seen one. Glove fulla Vaseline,’ George said disgustedly.” (Page 32, Paragraph 11) George is probably worried that Lennie might want to touch her and be accused of rape again. However, George is aghast when he sees Curley’s wife dead on the ground. He knows that Lennie did not mean to kill her, but he also knows that accidentally killing a human is still an unforgivable crime. George probably thinks of Lennie as a danger to him, to his future ranch, and to other humans as
“I want you to stay with me, Lennie. Jesus Christ, somebody’d shoot you for a coyote if you was by yourself. No, you stay with me. Your Aunt Clara wouldn’t like you running off by yourself, even if she was dead.” (page 13). After Lennie and George fight over the dead mouse, Lennie tells him that George would be better off if Lennie went to the mountains to live in a cave. George doesn’t let him. He tells him that he wants him to stay because not only did George somewhat promise Lennie’s dead Aunt Clara that he would take care of him, but he also learned how to live and adjust with the fact that Lennie has kind of a childish mind.
“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
After Lennie’s Aunt Clara died George started taking care of Lennie because Lennie has mental issues, and Lennie had no one else to take care of him instead of George. The relationship is “But not us! An’ why? Because… because I got you to look after me, and I got me to look after you, and that’s why. ”(pg.14). This quote indicates friendship means sticking together, Lennie isn’t that clever but he still understands the meaning of friendship. George promises
George may seem like the type of person who is harsh and rude, and in some cases he is. However, George's loyal trait usually triumphs his “bad traits” because he sticks with Lennie. By the end of the novella when Lennie is hallucinating and having a conversation with his dead Aunt Clara, his aunt “supposedly” says, . “All the time he coulda had such a good time if it wasn’t for you.” (Steinbeck 101) Although the reader knows Aunt Clara is dead, it is clear that Lennie knew George was sacrificing for him and staying loyal to him. Lennie further says in his hallucinatory state, “But he gotta take care of you.”(101). Although Lennie consistently got into trouble and asked a lot of George, George never betrayed or left. He stayed with Lennie. George staying with Lennie symbolize how much he cares, and how he is willing to sacrifice his life to tend to Lennie and keep him safe. In the beginning of the novella George and Lennie are talking, because of Lennie’s disability he forgets a lot. Which makes George frustrated. Even if Lennie pushes George to his breaking point, he stays calm because George knows and understands Lennie. Almost like a child with a parent, George cares for Lennie like Lennie is his child. “ ‘Yeah,what ya want?’ ‘Where we goin, George?’ “ (4) Even if Lennie is clueless he know that George will be there to protect him and keep him
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.