Why Is Lennie Important In Of Mice And Men

In John Steinbeck's classic novella Of Mice and Men George acts as a father figure towards Lennie in multiple ways. When George and Lennie get booted out of Weed they must relocate to a new ranch where they will work in order for them to get their 600$ dream home and the happy life they have always desired. Unfortunately many things attempt to inflict with their hopes of a new home including Lennie's strong body and young kid like mind . On their way towards their dream place George must nurture, protect, and show many valuable lessons to Lennie and without a doubt George nurturing for Lennie is the biggest factor of the three.
George nurtures Lennie in multiple ways. First, George makes sure that his best friend never goes hungry. For example,

when Lennie gets eager for dinner. George says that he has got three cans of beans that they may share.

George then encourages Lennie to go find some willows and start a fire so that they can heat the beans and sit down to their bean fiesta. Lennie then remarks that he likes ketchup with his beans. George gets paranoid after the seemingly needy statement and just sends Lennie on his way telling him not to mess around and that it will be dark shortly.(Steinbeck 8) Second, George equips Lennie with thoughts of a home and dreams to look forward to. For instance, George and Lennie are having their bean fiesta and Lennie asks George to tell him how it is going to be. At first George is mad because Lennie won't give him a break but Lennie coaxes George into telling him the delightful story. George explains that guys like himself and Lennie have to work on a farm and get their fifty bucks then they just go blow it in town at the whore house and on drinks. George then says not us though. George then explains that one day they are going to have enough money and go buy a place of their own. George then mentions that they will have a vegetable garden, maybe a few chickens, and rabbits. Out in the garden George says they will have an alfalfa patch and when the rabbits are hungry Lennie will

go and feed the rabbits. Lennie giggles with delight and smiles at the pleasing thought. (Steinbeck 13-15) Third, George provides Lennie with a job. For example, George gives Lennie a work card. After Lennie slips up and loses their future for them in Weed the selfless George generously buys Lennie a work ticket along with his own. Lennie could never get the ticket on his own without Georges help. George also holds on to Lennies ticket to make sure that he doesn't lose it so Lennie can still work with George. (Steinbeck 4-5) George demonstrates many neutering and fatherly attributes towards Lennie consistently throughout the book.
George also protects Lennie in numerous ways.

First, George makes sure that his fellow traveler does not get caught by the law. For example, George must keep Lennie and himself from getting caught after Lennie was accused of rape. When Lennie spots a girl in a red velvet dress he wants to touch it because he loves to touch soft things. When he touches the soft dress the girl screams and screams which makes Lennie become petrified. Since Lennie isn't the brightest bulb he can only think to hold on. When George comes over he smacks Lennie over the head with a fence picket. Then that girl goes blabbin to the law about how she has been raped so the law comes after George and Lennie. George then runs away with lennie and they hide in an irrigation ditch all day to keep away from the authorities.(Steinbeck 41-42) Second, George tries to stand up for Lennie the best he can against people who could mess with Lennie. For instance, Curley comes strolling into the bunkhouse on the very first day Lennie and George arrive. Curley asks if anyone had seen his father. Candy responds saying that Curleys dad was here just a minute ago. Before Curley goes he scans George and Lennie and stops on Lennie. Curley clenches his fists and lowers his stance, Curley asks if Lennie and George were the new guys. Obviously George answers, but Curley wants Lennie to speak. George won't let that happen and steps up and says “what if he doesn't want to talk”. Curley whirls around and exclaims that Lennie has

got to speak when spoken to. Although George does not necessarily win he still tries to protect Lennie. (Steinbeck 25) Third, George does his best to protect Lennie against the wrath of Curley. For example, after Lennie mistakenly murders Curley’s wife, everyone is out for revenge exclusively Curley. When all the guys are about to head out George pleads if Curley would please not shoot Lennie and maybe lock him up instead. Curley almost laughs at the thought of not shooting him especially since they think Lennie has Carlsons Luger. In one last weak attempt George throws out that Carlson might have lost his Luger, but the attempt was quickly rejected. Now knowing that there was no reason to argue George sets out with Carlson’s Luger to find Lennie. (Steinbeck 98)
Last George teaches Lennie many life helping lessons. First, Georges warns Lennie to stay away from people who could fool with his head. For example, on the two friends first day in the bunkhouse Curley’s wife enters searching for curley. When she finally leaves Lennie is in awe of her beauty. Lennie repeats that she is pretty multiple times until George lashes out. George exclaims that Curley's wife is a trap at its fullest and not to let her get to you. Lennie defends himself and says he wasn't doing nothing, but George angrily tells Lennie that he wasn't looking away when she was flashing her legs around. (Steinbeck 31) Second, George teaches Lennie how to get a job. For instance, when Lennie and George arrive at the bosses office George takes charge and answers the questions that are presented to them. That does not get by the boss so easy though soon the boss becomes suspicious of George because George wont let Lennie answer. The boss interrogates George on whether George is taking Lennie pay because George had told the boss that Lennie was not bright. George then lies and tells the boss that they are cousins and that George promised Lennie’s lady he would take care of Lennie. (Steinbeck 21-22) Third, George teaches Lennie to have a plan. For example, George told Lennie what to do if Lennie ever got in trouble. George asks Lennie while they are sitting the night before they head over to the ranch if Lennie could remember this place and that it was a quarter mile up river. Lennie responds saying that he could remember, and that its just like how he remembered he was not gonna say a word to the boss. George then explains to Lennie if Lennie was to ever get in trouble he should come hide in the bushes here and wait for George to come and get him. Lennie repeats George and George makes sure Lennie understands before ending the conversation. (Steinbeck 17-16)
In John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men, George must nurture, protect, and show Lennie many valuable lessons. What would have happened if George did not have to kill Lennie? Would everything have worked out if Lennie didn't kill Curley’s wife? Who else might join George, Lennie, and Candy in the dream home? The theme or moral of this book could be friendship and the hardships of getting the dream home that most ranchers strive for. This book taught me to have a dream and