Get tips and ideas in OUTLINE. This website and its content is subject to our Terms and Conditions. George complained about Lennie and his defects, but realizes his importance only after his death. As you write, consider this support question: Why must Lennie die in the end and why must George do it? friendship between George and Lennie in Of Mice and Men is parental. However, that doesn’t stop George from looking after Lennie. The friendship Lennie and George had in Of Mice and Men is incomparable to most friendships today. Worse, not only is the dream an illusion, it is instrumental to the tragedy that unfolds. Although it seems as though Lennie is dependent on George, this is not the case. Word Count: 1697. George who shot him in an act of compassion showed mercy and care. The support George had given Lennie from the time he was in a fight with Curley to when he kills his wife, shows the dynamics and security of the relationship. Of Mice and Men. Through all the hardships that they've been through, they still managed to pull through it all, that is, until it came to the very end. Curley's wife is not even given a first name. They were two very different people brought together by fate. Answered by Roskolnikov 9 years ago 11/29/2011 2:45 PM The friendship between George and Lennie is prevalent throughout the book, but it is shown most explicitly in their plan to live on a farm together in the future. As Lennie and George go over the shape of their dream and plan for the future, they repeatedly define their friendship by saying that they are not like the other traveling workers. George is a responsible man and has travelled with Lennie for many years, despite the troubles that Lennie gets them both in. Nor does the author insist that social reform is a moral necessity, as he declares in The Grapes of Wrath. Despite the fact that George in some cases gets irritated with Lennie, their kinship is the most significant thing in both of their lives and it implies that they ensure one another. ‘With us it ain’t like that. Answered by jill d #170087 5 years ago 3/6/2016 7:50 PM The boss wonders why George is willing to take care of Lennie; George tells the boss that Lennie is his cousin and that he promised his mother to look after him. This book is about George Martin and Lennie Small having completely different personalities but Lennie couldn’t live without George, George would be alone in the world without Lennie. The historical setting of Steinbeck's novel is highly specific. As the story progresses we can acknowledge that George does not deem himself as superior to Lennie, it is simply his duty to control and guide Lennie who is mentally inept and regarded as a ‘crazy bastard’. George is a responsible man and has travelled with Lennie for many years, despite the troubles that Lennie gets them both in. Compare and contrast the characters of George and Lennie to interpret one or more central theme Steinbeck develops through their relationship (friendship, power, loneliness, dreams). George knows, as we do, that Curley's wife is "'gonna make a mess'" (p.57). She enacts the supporting role of an unfaithful tramp, marrying a man for whom she feels no sense of affection because she is trapped in the caged environment of small-town life. The boss is concerned that George is taking advantage of Lennie..... an assumption that is unfounded. Of Mice and Men is the equivalent of a bro hug: all sublimated emotion, gruff affection, and hearty back pats. Evidence. [P4] George shoots Lennie so that he will not be tortured by Curley and his gang. Prior to resting, George advises Lennie to retain the area of the riverbank. George and Lennie’s friendship analysed, by completing the table with quotes and evidence. In which George is the responsible one who looks out for Lennie. “How long’s it gonna be till we get the little place an’ live off the fatta the lan’ … Each is trapped into an identity that is determined by their social lot in life. George takes this to an outrageous length by murdering Lennie toward the finish of the book so as to shield him from Curley. What each characters does, indeed, what each is, depends completely upon his or her role, the specific part that they have in the economy of the barley-growing enterprise. When Lennie sees that the ranch "ain't no good," that some danger is in the offing and that they should leave at once, the smart George responds that they must keep their jobs there until they "'get a stake.'" Asked by Alan #339572 on 10/6/2013 3:47 AM Last updated by davis c #342203 on 10/25/2013 1:44 PM Answers 2 Add Yours. George and Lennie don't text each other eleven times a day, and they don't like every single cat picture the other posts on Facebook—but we still get the sense that they take their friendship more seriously than anything. Brotherhood is implied because both George and Lennie share a relationship of honesty and love, even though they may not show it. But we can still agree this is remarkable for them to be so close, in such a world where men do not do this. Not only does the reader anticipate a tragic end, the means by which it will occur are apparent at an early juncture. Many men were itinerant workers that travelled from ranch to ranch looking for wages that would be sufficient till they moved on. As a black man, Crooks is clearly liable to such false charges, for it is his social identity as a "nigger" that defines his fate. What George does not realize is how potentially dangerous Lennie is. Lennie who seems sweet and innocent does not have the mental capacity or the ability to contribute to his relationship with George. If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. The stable buck Crooks is unsparingly accurate in his assessment that without George's continual guidance, Lennie would wind up chained like a dog in an institution for the feeble-minded. Human life as portrayed in Of Mice and Men is a matter of despair, and to think otherwise simply accelerates an inevitable march toward mindless ruin. 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. Of Mice and Men The relationship Lennie and George have a great relationship, they’re like best friends. George and lennie in chapter 1 1. [Curley] “Oh, so it’s that way. For instance, George promised earlier that he would give Lennie a puppy. It's just in their heads'" (p.81), we know that this eminently American dream is merely an illusion. “Of Mice and Men” is an excellent short novel by John Steinbeck which reflects the extraordinary bond of friendship that exists between George and Lennie, two migrant workers and physically contrasting personalities. George chooses to kill Lennie at the novel's end, realizing that Lennie could not stand the loneliness of being locked up … While reading John Steinbeck’s classic, Of Mice and Men, George and Lennie maintain a true friendship despite all the ups and downs they encounter. The world is a deadly, unforgiving and often ironic place where people become all consumed by their surroundings. They are reliant upon each other, as even though George conducts the ‘dream’ speech, Lennie has also memorised this dream, maybe in hope it will bring them closer to it. In this, however, he is not alone. . Overall the reader would sympathize for both of them, because we can understand that George only did this for Lennie’s benefit, and despite their disputes; they cared about each other very much. The tension Steinbeck builds in the last chapter, shows how distraught and vulnerable George become and relieving Lennie of torture and pain to come. As in the cases of the old swamper Candy and of Crooks, such injury yields only a further slide down the ladder toward eventual disposal. Steinbeck’s novel Of Mice and Men tells the story of two friends, George Milton and Lennie Small and their struggle as migrant workers in California during the great depression and dustbowl era. George and Lennie are friends to help each other so they can live the American dream and as they do so through their friendship they are providing good for each other and anyone in their lives or are going to be part of their lives in the future. Lennie furnishes George with an object for his own lower-case ennoblement. By living in the town of ‘Soledad’ […], Steinbeck reveals methods in which the relationship in between George and lennie work utilizing various techniques. The main source of change, if it can be called that, is the physical disability that occurs in working within the hard-edged domain of bucking barley. “I don't know why. Their relationship is pivotal and underlines the main theme of friendship in the novel, which led to Steinbeck focusing so much on the friendship of the two men. Start your 48-hour free trial and unlock all the summaries, Q&A, and analyses you need to get better grades now. “We travel together,” said George coldly. Lennie is set on ‘tending rabbits’ while George could have more freedom in general. Of Mice and Men is the equivalent of a bro hug: all sublimated emotion, gruff affection, and hearty back pats. George would always look out for Lennie, as Lennie would always be protective over George. Why are so many people apparently suspicious of George and Lennie's friendship? Lennie, who had been watching, imitated George exactly. John Steinbeck uses description as a method to emphasise the unusual nature of the friendship between George and Lennie, “Behind him walked hi opposite, a huge man, shapeless of face, with large, pale eye…” This suggests that these two men completely contrast each other in looks, as well as state of mind. A profound, primordial isolation runs through the lives of all of the characters in Of Mice and Men, and it is this separateness that constitutes the novel's predominate theme. (p.103). When he kills Lennie, he is trying to protect him from Curley and the other men. The friendship between Georgie and Lennie can be interpreted as brotherhood and the relationship between father and son. (p.43). Use evidence from throughout the text … I believe that George, a stoic man enjoys the company of Lennie; however a burden he may seem. Not only does Slim's skill as a mule driver afford him a superior job status, it confers upon him an authority in all domains of the ranch life, including issues of life and death. (p.15). We got a future.’ Steinbeck reveals a timeless definition of friendship. By the same token, just as Lennie needs mice and pups and rabbits to take care of, George needs Lennie to tend. Therefore the people who have read the story Of […], The Great Depression was a time of hardship for everybody especially ranch workers. [P2] George looks out for Lennie and helps guide him through life. The readers are aware from the beginning that this relationship is powerful and meaningful although this is not always depicted. In a story that spans a short period of time, we would not expect much in the way of character development to occur. With or without Lennie in tow, George would still be compelled to eke out a meager, inane existence as a lowly ranch hand. Maybe … though George has to make a lot of sacrifices in exchange for their friendship, he is always ready to vouch for Lennie and protect his dream of a better life until the end. Once Lennie is dead, George loses the weight of responsibility Lennie ... 3 pages 72 2 May/2004 4.0 This is evidence of a friendship of utility. “Of Mice and Men” is an excellent short novel by John Steinbeck which reflects the extraordinary bond of friendship that exists between George and Lennie, two migrant workers and physically contrasting personalities. The boss makes only a brief appearance at the novel's outset because there is no need for active supervision in a realm in which characters are all too keenly aware of what is expected of them. The support George had given Lennie from the time he was in a fight with Curley to when he kills his wife, shows the dynamics and security of the … He usta like to hear about it so much I got to thinking maybe we would.'" George, fully understanding this innuendo, stands firm in his description of his close friendship and bond to Lennie. It is this simple statement that proves the relationship to a natural course. George treats lennie like his son all the way through the book quote “OK. George and Lennie’s dream is to be … You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings. I think I knowed we'd never do her. Loneliness and isolation … [P3] Lennie looks up to George. Steinbeck uses the thoughts and curiosity of other characters such as Slim and the bitter, avenging side of Curley to portray the relationship between Lennie and George. They share much of a special bond because of everything that they have been through together and continued to go through. George kills Lennie to spare him from a worse death. George is really a father figure to Lennie, but George loves Lennie for the type of companionship he expresses to him. Steinbeck uses the subtlety of George who only confides in Slim to depict the pride he has of Lennie ‘he’s dumb as hell, but he ain’t crazy.’ George at times creates a softer tone of voice when talking about Lennie. George puts his happiness in their friendship above everything else. (2. The parallels between Lennie and George’s relationship and the relationship that their workmate, Candy had with his dog reaffirm the power dynamic between George … (p.80). George and Lennie are close friends. While reading John Steinbeck’s classic, Of Mice and Men, George and Lennie maintain a true friendship despite all the ups and downs they encounter. George would always look out for Lennie, as Lennie would always be protective over George. They share much of a special bond because of everything that they have been through together and continued to go through. Lennie, of course, depends entirely upon his long-time comrade, and the very thought of George abandoning him sends the childlike giant into a state of panic. Get an answer for 'In Of Mice and Men, is the relationship between George and Lennie one of friendship, or obligation on George's part? Tes Global Ltd is registered in England (Company No 02017289) with its registered office at 26 Red Lion Square London WC1R 4HQ. Keywords: Steinbeck, Of Mice and Men, loneliness, friendship, 1930s, Great Depression, Dust Bowl, racism, sexism, ageism, disability, migrant workers, ranch, George, Lennie. The way in which this dream is articulated represents the idealized friendship they share. Lennie, having complete faith in his good friend George, denied all this, saying that George would never do such a thing. Lennie, because of the colour of his skin and his friendship with George, cannot possibly understand Crooks' plight. The story of mice and men is a great story about a couple guys named George and Lennie. The reliance that George and Lennie have on one another is able to stress on how it is only the friendship in between the 2 of them which permits them to make it through. eNotes.com will help you with any book or any question. “Yea, it’s that way. Of Mice and Men is a novella centred on the disincentives of America during the depression in the 1930’s. Curley's wife is there to remind Crooks that his subordinate status is all too real when she responds to a felt insult: "'Nigger, I could bet you strung up on a tree so easy it ain't even funny'" (p.89). Lennie causes George many hardships, but George still loves him regardless. What evidence can you find to support either conclusion? He is always […], Solitude is the feeling of seclusion – Steinbeck accomplishes this theme by portraying efficiently through essential fictional characters in ‘Of Mice and Men’. George is protective of Lennie and tries to look after him. Somehow putting the two opposites together, they always make it work. George and Lennie: a friendship burdened. Both Lennie and George rely on their friendship to survive. ©2020 eNotes.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved. As in many of his earlier works, Of Mice and Men embodies a sharp critique of capitalist America. But what really counts is that none of the figures in this story appears to be capable of growing beyond what they already are. This short novel gives a vivid account of the dangers that are in store for an innocent man like Lennie. George Steinbeck implies from the innocent actions by Lennie, that he genuinely admires George. Nobody ever gets to heaven and nobody gets no land. Readers first hear of George and Lennie’s farm when George and Lennie arrive in Salinas and spend the night in the woods by the river before starting work at the new ranch. But most of all, George needs Lennie to concur with and to prop up his "dream" of owning a little farm and thereby preserve it from dissolving under the brutal force of reality. Dreams in Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck is a touching story of an unusual friendship between two men, George and Lennie. Still loves him regardless not alone like that” Lennie “Not us owning a evidence of george and lennie's friendship... Download. ) relationship of honesty and love, even though they not! George advises Lennie to tend … Why are so many people apparently suspicious George... Novel gives a vivid account of the book powerful bond that connects two or more people in... After his death lie to the tragedy of Lennie are an unusual package deal within the.! Are apparent at an early juncture innocent actions by Lennie, as he declares in the text from... But not even George could deny that Lennie gets them both in that of a hug. 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