The Importance Of Friendship In Of Mice And Men By John Steinbeck

515 Words2 Pages

In the novel Of mice and Men by John Steinbeck, there are many friendship shown, the strongest being between George and Lennie. The two of them stood together throughout the book, except for at the end when George gave in and did what was right. Other friendships are shown between Crooks and Lennie, and Slim and George. Each person benefits slightly from each friendship they have, but Lennie probably is the one who benefits the most. There are people who have friends on the farm, but the most powerful friendship throughout almost the whole book is between Lennie and George. They always looked out for each other, even when they knew the other was doing something wrong. George was a great friend to Lennie because of how much he looked out for Crooks doesn't have many friends at the ranch because he is black, while all of the other men are white. Segregation is still very prominent during this time. But, because Lennie didn't understand the American culture at that time, he went against what everyone else supported, even if it was prominent throughout the whole country. “Culture does not make people, people make culture.” (“We Should All be Feminists” by Chimamanda Adichie) Lennie proved this quote to be true by forming a friendship with a man of the opposite race. He didn't understand why Crooks wasn't allowed to sleep in the bunkhouse, and felt bad because of that. Lennie didn't allow the culture surrounding him to change him too much as a person, he just shaped his interpretation of the culture differently than how others viewed it. Friendship and the absence of friendship in Of Mice and Men is a very significant theme, especially considering that Lennie's death at the end of the book was caused by his friendship with George. I believe that friendship is very important in this book and it helps many characters get through life. I could only hope to have a friend in my life that understand me as well as some of these friends understand each

Show More
Related

  • of mice and men...theme of lonliness in the book

    558 Words  | 2 Pages

    Crooks also feels a great deal of loneliness, as he is an outcast on the ranch. He lives in his own room where hardly anybody ever bothers him. He is never invited to play cards or do anything fun with the other guys. One day a curious Lenny asked, “Why ain’t you wanted?” Crooks replies “Cause I’m black. They play cards in there, but I can’t play because I’m black. They think I stink. Well I tell you, you all stink to me” (pg. ). Crooks’ attitude towards this is shown when he saw Lennie playing with his puppy outside of Crooks’ quarters. Crooks states that “if me, as a black man, is not allowed in the white quarters, then white men are not allowed in mine” (pg. ). However this is merely a front as the more open side of Crooks is shown later on in the book.

    Read More

  • Napoleon Dynamite Friendship

    464 Words  | 1 Pages

    George chooses to stick with Lennie, despite his mental disabilities. They are loyal to each other, even though they are different: “Even in the open one stayed behind the other” (2). Their desire to spend time together in fellowship indicates the theme of true friendship. Later on in the novella, George and Lennie are introduced to Slim, the jerkline skinner on the ranch. Because his job requires him to move around, Slim, like most migrant farmers, is lonely. He observes George and Lennie’s unusual friendship and questions it saying, “You guys travel around together?” (34). George and Lennie’s loyalty to each other protects them from the loneliness of their work, revealing one important benefit of true friendship. Near the end of the novella, Lennie is in the barn with

    Read More

  • Why Is George A Good Friend To Lennie Friendship

    609 Words  | 2 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Desire for Companionship in John Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men"

    1749 Words  | 4 Pages

    Crooks, the black stable buck, is isolated from the community of migrant workers because of his racial status. When Lennie goes into the barn to see his puppy, he and Crooks have a conversation. “'Why ain't you wanted?' Lennie asked. 'Cause I'm black. They play cards in there, but I can't play because I'm black'” (68). Lennie is too kind-hearted and intellectually slow to visualize the apparent racial boundary that sets Crooks aside from Lennie and the rest of the workers. Crooks is so isolated from the rest of the workers that he says he “can't” play cards, not that he isn't allowed to, which means that the racial boundary is like a wall Crooks cannot cross. Because he is black, Crooks believes that he cannot play cards with the white men. He can't get over the racial boundary, and believes he will be forever separated from the white men. In the beginning of chapter 4, Steinbeck describes Crooks' living space. “Crooks, the Negro stable buck, had his bunk in the harness room; a little shed that leaned off the...

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast In Cold Men And Of Mice And Men

    1122 Words  | 3 Pages

    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’

    Read More

  • Of Mice And Men Friendship Quotes

    680 Words  | 2 Pages

    Do you know what the meaning of friendship is? In Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, you learn about George and Lennie taking care of each other. They also support one another in striving after their shared dream. George and Lennie make sacrifices for one another and are responsible for one another. George and Lennie’s relationship shows us the true meaning of friendship.

    Read More

  • John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men

    678 Words  | 2 Pages

    They are a textbook example of loyal friends. They, together, are like peanut butter and jelly in a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Lennie gives George someone to talk to and someone to keep him on track. George gives Lennie insight into the world and someone that will respect him even though he isn’t intelligent. They, more importantly, give each other something to live for.

    Read More

  • Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

    1044 Words  | 3 Pages

    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...

    Read More

  • Short Story 'What, Of This Goldfish, Would You Wish?'

    731 Words  | 2 Pages

    George and Lennie seemingly contrast each other throughout most of the story, constantly arguing about Lennie’s actions. After the two fight about Lennie needing ketchup for his beans, the author writes, "But I wouldn't eat none, George. I'd leave it all for you. You could cover your beans with it and I wouldn't touch none of it" (12). Lennie’s innocent offer to give up ketchup for his friend, resolving their argument, also establishes that extending acts of friendship is an astounding way to overcome differences. Certainly one must not only be kind in order to gain acceptance, but persistent in attempts to establish friendship. Lennie is another perfect example of this when he befriends Crooks: “Lennie’s disarming smile defeated him. ‘Come on in and set a while,’ Crooks said. ‘ ‘Long as you won’t get out and leave me alone, you might as well set down.’ His tone was a little more friendly” (69). Analogous to Lennie’s tenacious attempts to win Crooks’ trust, one must be resolute in order to accept those with differences. Constant acts of friendship show compassion and clear purpose in actions, ridding any stereotypes or misunderstandings in a

    Read More

  • Examples Of Friendship In Of Mice And Men

    1193 Words  | 3 Pages

    In life, there are circumstances when being a good friend is difficult. All in all, it is essential to recognize that in Of Mice and Men, the characters become good friends, though both come out from different situations but share a common perspective; however, sometimes friendship must come to an end for the better. At this point, the reader should learn that different people from different environments can become friends no matter what color, religion, size, etc. they are as long as both share a similar common belief or point of view. George became good friends with Lennie while the dog was Candy’s longtime companion, although each pair were different from one another in terms of personalities.

    Read More

  • Essay Of Mice And Men Friendship

    879 Words  | 2 Pages

    Friendship in the novel Of Mice and Men change the characters actions, their relationships, and their mood throughout the book. The friendships in this are vital to the development of each character. The strong relationships seem to build a better life for the men. George and Lennie had the strongest relationship in the novel, which caused George’s decision to kill Lennie be a very difficult one to

    Read More

  • Examples Of Jealousy In Of Mice And Men

    532 Words  | 2 Pages

    In addition Crooks is the only black worker on the ranch and because of that he is segregated from everyone else. Over time Crooks grows resentful of the unfortunate treatment and when Lennie wanders into his stable he finds it difficult to cope with. As they talk he grows more and more jealous of Lennie's companionship with George. He grows angry because of his misfortune eventually asking Lennie what would he do if George never came back for him. All of Crooks actions in this scene is because of his longing for companionship just like Lennie and

    Read More

  • Theme Of Friendship In Of Mice And Men

    838 Words  | 2 Pages

    The article states, “We may not define it as Aristotle did- friendship among the already virtuous.” (May,1). In the excerpt it states, “‘No,-look! I was just fooling Lennie. ‘Cause I want you to stay with me. Trouble with mice is you always kill ‘em.’ He paused, ‘Tell you what I’ll do, Lennie. First chance I get I’ll give you a pup.’...‘If you don’t want me, you only jus’ got to say so, and I’ll go off in those hills right there.’” (Stenbeck, 1). This shows true friendship, because the reader can pick out how they are both being virtuous towards each other. Lennie is upset, and wants to leave, so George wants to show how much he cares to keep him around since he enjoys him. They truly care, and do not expect anything from each other, just the careness within the bond they have. True friendships are rare, and showing that they have this in the novella, Of Mice and Men, completes it. Therefore, this friendship not only carries the weight of the excerpt, but the novella’s conflict as a whole.

    Read More

  • The Importance of Lennie and George’s Friendship in Of Mice and Men by Steinbeck

    658 Words  | 2 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • True Friendship In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

    948 Words  | 2 Pages

    Although it seemed like George and Lennie’s relationship was not very equitable, thorough examination of their interactions, conversations and time spent together reveal 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 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

    Read More

More about The Importance Of Friendship In Of Mice And Men By John Steinbeck

Open Document