Responsibility is defined as the state of being responsible, accountable, or answerable, as for a trust, debt, or obligation. A responsibility can also be something that you are actually accountable for such as a pet or a chore. In the novel Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, a theme of responsibility is evident throughout the story. I found that this theme of responsibility allowed me to better relate to and understand many of the characters. I think the reason for this was because I was able to compare some of the characters' feelings of responsibility to feelings I've had in my own life. Responsibility is something that everyone deals with on a daily basis, no matter who they are, where they live, or how old they are. As a kid you might have had a pet to take care of or maybe you had a list of chores to do. As you grew older you gained more and more responsibility. By the time you were an adult you possessed the ability to completely take care of yourself and possibly even others. In the novel there are many prime examples of the importance of responsibility. These examples can be easily related to incidents that may occur in your own life.
             The theme of responsibility is apparent right at the beginning of the novel. Steinbeck begins to tell his story by showing us the setting as well as introducing us to George and Lennie. He paints a picture in your mind of two men who look completely opposite in physical appearance, sitting together by a green pool hidden away in the brush. The first words spoken in the novel are of George instructing Lennie about how not to drink the water. George warns him: "Lennie. You gonna be sick like you was last night" (Steinbeck, 1937, page 3). This initial conversation goes on to show how George looks after Lennie and how he orders Lennie around. At first it seems like George is directing Lennie around simply because he can. Later you find out that George takes c...