Of Mice and Men: Reflects the Bond of Friendship Between George and Lennie
"Of Mice and Men" is an excellent short novel by John Steinbeck whichreflects the extraordinary bond of friendship that exists between Georgeand Lennie, two migrant workers and physically contrasting personalities.This short novel gives a vivid account of the dangers that are in store foran innocent man like Lennie. Lennie has mild mental derangement which makeshim vulnerable in the society and he depends on the constant guidance andprotection of George. As a truly committed friend, George takes care ofLennie even though he feels life would have been much easier without thisburden. He lies to his boss that Lennie is his cousin and tries to shieldhim as much as possible from the dangers of the world. Together they sharethe dream of owning a farm in the near future and being relived from thetrouble of having to work for someone. Throughout the novel Steinbeck portrays Lennie as an innocentcharacter who is fond of soft things and one who does not anticipatedanger. As a hint of his mental disability, we find at the very beginningof the novel an instance where Lennie is caressing a dead mo
George assumes a caring, advising, protecting and dominating rolein the friendship which is evident when he warns Lennie of drinking toomuch and spoiling his health. George confidesin Slim about his true relationship with Lennie (a childhood friend) andthe troubles that Lennie lands them into so often. As Steinbeck portrays through thecharacter of George the commitment and love that define friendship, he alsoprojects the horrid nature of the world which is merciless to the weak andthe disabled. He grips her neck in an effort to silence her but ends up breakingher neck. Certain that the angry group would bemerciless to Lennie and with the pure intention of avoiding trouble for hisfriend whom he protected with all earnestness, sincerity and love for thislong, George takes it upon himself to deliver a peaceful death for hisfriend and shoots him in the head. Lennie isclearly vulnerable to many dangerous circumstances as he lacks thediscriminating capacity of a normal human being. The next day George meets Slim, a mule driver and an influentialperson in the ranch and they get to understand each other. His naive and unsuspectingnature leads him to a lot of troubles. Curley's wife comesat that time and as a consoling act lets him caress her soft hair as he hasa predilection for soft things. He treats us early in the novel that is better to kill asuffering dog than to let it live and suffer. As already agreed upon, Lennie rushes to the pool of the SalinasRiver to meet George and recounts what happened to Mrs. Curley, the farmowner's son, is a jealous character who suspects his flirtatious wife. Only Slim, whoknows the true nature of George and his affection towards Lennieunderstands the circumstance in the true light of things and consoles himand walks him away from the scene. Georgetells Lennie of his dream ranch and while they are still talking about ithe hears the approaching lynch mob.
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