Mice and Men

Mice and Men

George and Lennie: a friendship burdened.

Friendship is a powerful bond that connects two or more people together in an unforgettable and special way. The novella titled Of Mice And Men, by George Steinbeck, follows the life of two migrant workers as they travel down the state of California in the 1930’s. George, a smaller and smarter worker, and Lennie, a very large man with special needs. The two flee from Weed to seek a job in Soledad at a ranch, after Lennie gets himself in trouble. The two arrive at the ranch and are accepted as hard workers by their fellow workers, but are not too fond of the boss’ son, Curley. Throughout the whole novel, George is taking care of Lennie, because of the great friendship and love they have for each other. George has taken care of Lennie his entire life and is sometimes dragged down by him, but Lennie thrives under George’s care.

George has always wanted the best for Lennie by telling him what to do most of the time, but the two are friends that would be lost without one another. It appears that throughout the story, George is constantly telling Lennie what to do. This may be true, but George is not doing this because he wants to feel powerful and bossy. Lennie would hurt himself or others without Georges guidance. Lennie listens and tries to remember what George has told or taught him, and most of the time does. When Lennie loses control and gets scared, he does not follow what George tells him to do, but still remembers it. “You gonna get me in trouble jus’ like George says you will. Now don't
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you do that”(91) This line was spoken by Lennie, while he was holding on to Curleys wife, shortly before snapping her neck. Lennie has trouble thinking sometimes, and it is shown throughout the book that he is not a fighter, but when he gets scared, his only defense is to hold on for dear life. In the bunkhouse one night, Curley comes in and assumes that Lennie is smiling because some of Lennies fellow bunkmates are...

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