Of Mice and Men essay
Similarities and differences are what make us all unique. The similarities and differences of two men, George and Lennie, are greatly displayed during their journey together. In John Steinbeck’s novella Of Mice and Men, George and Lennie share many similarities and differences; they are both scared to become lonely, they are complete opposites, and they share the same dream for their future.
The fear of becoming lonely is a hardship both George and Lennie went through. Although they did not share many similarities, the need of having a companion was something that was common for these two men. In chapter one of the novella George says, “ With us it ain’t like that. We got a future. We got somebody to talk to that gives a damn about us. We don’t have to sit in a bar room blowin’ in our jack jus’ because we got
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no place else to go”(14). In this quotation George is clearly justifying that he is glad to be nothing like the other men. With Lennie as his companion George does not need to worry about being like the lonely ranch men. This shows how both men need each other despite what they say and do to each other. Towards the beginning of the novella George and Lennie’s differences are clearly shown.
We are given these detailed differences when Steinbeck says, “ The first man was small and quick, dark of face, with restless eyes and sharp, strong features. Every part of him was defined: small, strong hands, slender arms, a thin and bony nose. Behind him walked his opposite, a huge man, shapeless of face, with large, pale eyes,with wide, sloping shoulders; and he walked heavily, dragging his feet a little, the way a bear drags his paws. His arms did not swing at his sides, but hung loosely”(2). This quotation shows the detailed differences between the two men. George and Lennie not only share physical differences but they also share differences in their mental health. As this is demonstrated when George continually reminds Lennie not to speak when they first meet the boss. George says if the boss were to hear Lennie talk before he saw him work then the men wouldn’t get the job. As you can see, George and Lennie’s differences are not just small details of their physical appearance, but also bigger differences, in the way they overall
functions. George and Lennie are different in many ways, but they similar in only a few. Although these two men do not share many similarities an extremely important one they do share is their dream to one day own land. Throughout this novella the men show us countless examples of their dream. One example is when Lennie says, “Now maybe George ain’t gonna let me tend no rabbits, if he fin’s you got killed”(85). The reason why Lennie is so upset the puppy is dead is because he is scared his job of tending the rabbits will be taken away. In George and Lennie’s dream to one day own land, it was Lennie’s job to tend the rabbits, but if he were to misbehave his job could be taken away by George. Therefore, George and Lennie’s dream to was a similarity that was greatly important to these to men. In conclusion, in John Steinbeck’s novella Of Mice and Men George and Lennie’s similarities and differences are clearly distinguished; they are both scared to be alone, they have completely different traits, and they share they same goal in the end. George and Lennie have many differences, some that are more recognizable than others. Our differences are what makes us all unique. That's why George and Lennie are such unique individuals.
Lennie Small, a mentally impaired man, is first introduced to us traveling with George. George, however, is not related to Lennie. Lennie travels with George because no one else understands him like he does. Lennie says, “Because…because I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you…” (Steinbeck 14). Lennie believes if George ever left him that he could live in a cave by himself and not bother anyone again (Steinbeck 12). Lennie realizes he would be alone without George, but he never has known anyone else to depend on but George, and from that, they have a bond, a friendship. This shows Lennie’s need for his relationship with George.
It is very apparent that each of the four characters in the two friendships feed off of each other. In Steinbeck’s novel, Of Mice and Men, George and Lennie are very different, yet they need one other. George is a very independent, loyal, and caring person who takes care of Lennie because Lennie is unable to take care of himself. Although George makes it seem like he would be better off without Lennie, George makes it clear that without him he would be better off. This is evident because of this conversation h regularly had with Lennie” I could go get a job an’
Of Mice and Men - George and Lennie seem to have a very close friendship throughout the story. Of Mice and Men George and Lennie seem to have a very close friendship throughout the story. This is strange because they are completely different from each other mentally, as well as physically. The author tells us that George is a small, quick and defined man. He is the leader of the two men and makes all the plans.
Within the beginning of the story, the dynamic of George and Lennie’s relationship is introduced, one that is uncommon and presents a fatherly vibe. The readers are thrown into the novel at the height of the great depression, an economic catastrophe that shook the world. Within these dark time, an unlikely friendship is in full blossom and we are meet by Lennie and George setting up camp for the night by a riverbed. After the duo’s personalities are expressed, they begin to set up the idea of a commonly shared dream which exists according to Lennie “Because... because I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you” (Steinbeck 14). Lennie is seen as a quite simple minded and extremely dim-witted character from just the first
Lennie's loneliness stems from his constancy of being yelled at by George. Lennie didn't like to be around George when he was yelling at him. Lennie and George were friends, but George yelled at him just to try to keep him out of trouble. Lennie tried to make friends other than George, but it never seemed to work out. He even tried to make friends with Crooks, when no one else would ever talk to him. This shows that Lennie really needs a friend that can understand him (Moore 603).
George and Lennie are both main characters in Of Mice and Men. They both have journeys that they go on throughout the book. George was a quick-witted man who cared for Lennie. George took on the job of caring for Lennie when his aunt died. He frequently spoke about how his life would be better if he did not have to care for Lennie. Although he spoke of this often he was devoted to Lennie and to delivering them the farm
Whilst Steinbeck describes the two main characters in the novel, we see that there is a significant difference in their physical appearances. For example, there is evidence in the text which suggests that Lennie is a colossal physical specimen: ?a huge man, shapeless of face, with large, pale eyes and he walked heavily...........the way a bear drags his paws.? The very fact that Len...
The first description of George and Lennie in the novel gives the reader an idea how very different the characters are physically. Through their physicality, one can see the vast difference in their mentalities as well. Steinbeck begins with an image of George, saying, "the first man was small and quick, dark of face, with restless eyes and sharp, strong features" (2). This description conveys the idea that George is smart, with the use of the words sharp and quick, which both describe his physical likeness and his mental acuity. George's restless eyes and dark face give indication that he is wary as well as work worn. Especially during the Great Depression, a tanned face would be a sign of hard work. The fact that George is small does not immediately seem to matter until the reader gets an im...
In life, friendship is something that everybody needs. It allows people to function better and be more successful. Some people think that all friendships are the same and do not differ from the next. However, I believe that each friendship has its own quality that makes it different from all of the other friendships while still retaining all of the characteristics that make the relationship a friendship. Today, this essay will highlight the qualities that are the same in the friendship of Maurice and Laura from An Invisible Thread and the friendship of Lennie and George from Of Mice and Men while also identifying the differences between them as well as illustrating the very attributes that define a friendship.
The writer has builds a strong relationship between George and Lennie. Their relationship is based on a dream that bonds them together and gives them something to look forward to. Throughout the story this dream is mentioned repeatedly which emphasizes their relationship.
In the story, there are two oddly paired men, who travel side by side and support each other with the goal of living the ideal life. In a world of loneliness and trouble, these characters, George and Lennie, find comfort within the presence of each other. Another friendship within the story is between Candy and his dog. In John Steinbeck’s novella, Of Mice and Men, the author suggests that the friendships between the two sets of individuals have parallel connections. By observing the characters’ position in society, the meaning of their relationship with one another, and the killing of their companion, we can conclude that there are similarities between the two partnerships.
Therefore, George is special. He has someone to love and to be loved by, something other people simply don’t have. His possession of a friend is rare for someone of his lifestyle. He recognizes this. Without Lennie, though, he loses what differentiate him from every other lonely ranch hand. He becomes a lost soul. He no longer has anything to live for, or any hope that things will change. Loneliness is his new companion.
A dream is precious and delicate but can be dangerous when we see the lengths people would go to achieving them. Readers see an example of this in Of Mice and Men, a novella written by John Steinbeck, that follows two migrant workers, Lennie and George, who travel from farm to farm looking for work. Lennie is cognitively impaired and mainly focuses on achieving his dream, and that dream is to tend soft-haired rabbits on the farm that he and George will live on in freedom. Similarly in A Raisin in the Sun, a play written by Lorraine Hansberry, Walter Lee, one of the main characters, struggles with being a man, providing for his family, being a black, and most of all following his dreams. Lennie, from Of Mice and Men, and Walter, from A Raisin in the Sun, both go to extreme lengths to achieve their dreams and bring
The relationship between George and Lennie shows the limitless reaches one would go for his fellow man on a microcosmis level Steinbeck uses these two characters to represent strong one-on-one relationshiips that one experiences throughout their own personal life. Although George and Lennie are two individual men, the qualities that one lacked, the other possessed: "Behind him[George] walked his opposite" (mice, pg.2). Consequently, over the years George and Lennie created such a bond that they completed each other. Through George, Steinbeck represents the sacrifices that are made in the best interest of a loved one. These sacrifices presented George with many hardships and frustrations throughout his life. "If I was alone I could live so easy." (mice, pg. 11) Because Lennie was unable to think in a logical manner for himself, George gave up his own dreams and created a single dream for both himself and Lennie: "OK, someday we're gonna get the jack together and we'...
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.