Sacrifice In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

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Love Requires Sacrifice

Throughout all of the novel Of Mice and Men, written by John Steinbeck, companions sacrificed their own well being in order to protect their loved ones from difficulty or harm. “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave up him for us all-how he will not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”(Romans 8:32). Apostle Paul beautifully emphasizes what he considers that God has given in order for us to thrive. In this case, God gave up his own son, Jesus Christ, for the goodness of humanity. Much like Apostle’s excerpt, characters in this book, such as Candy or George, abandoned their own desires for their loved ones. Although it was almost impossible to give up necessities such as a job opportunity or friendship itself, much like God, they parted with their own needs in order to make things right. …show more content…

These sacrifices were not easily given up, however, only in times where heartbreak itself could save a companion from pain. For example, Candy agrees to put his hound out of misery, always having been unable to let his only companion go. The swamper finally realizes he has to kill his oldest friend when Carlson mentions that the dog is “All stiff with rheumatism. He ain’t no good to you, Candy. An’ he ain’t no good to himself”(44). Candy gives up all he had, resulting in heartbreak. However, Candy knew he did what was right in order to help the one he loved. Much like Candy, when George shoots Lennie, he gives up his only family. After gunning his best friend in the back of the head, Slim attempts to reassure his distraught pal that “A guy got to sometimes”(107). And, although Lennie is gone forever, George did the right thing, giving up his friendship to the love in his heart. Both of these men finally understand what was necessary for their friends to rest at peace once and for

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