Friendship In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

529 Words2 Pages

The central idea of Of Mice And Men by John Steinbeck is friendship for a myriad of reasons and it is evident in the experiences that the two main characters, Lennie and George comes across. Lenny is huge, strong and mentally challenged, while George is the brains. In the story, it is obvious in the beginning that George is unwilling to take Lennie under his care, but over time their friendship is shaped through good and difficult experiences and this includes when George first tells Lennie that without him life would be easy. George says this for the reason being that he sees friendship as problematic and an inconvenience because of the trouble that Lennie gets in. For instance, Lennie has a tendency to pet soft objects, which did lead to Lennie getting in trouble several times and the two having to run or in this case, going to a new ranch. After an incident with Lennie getting them into trouble, it is revealed that George is not pleased with Lennie when he tells him, “Whatever we ain’t got, that's what you want. God a’mighty, if I was alone I could live so easy. I could go get a job an’ work, an’ no trouble.” This shows that George and Lennie start off to a very complex …show more content…

Their relationship is different in comparison to other ranchers because they have each other to depend on. Usually, other ranchers are isolated and have no family, therefore no future. Despite their fears constant problems they face, Lennie has a more positive attitude when he states, “But not us! An’ why? Because . . .because I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you, and that's why.” Even though building a friendship is not always easy, it ameliorates the hardships of life because friends are there to help you and that is what George and Lennie are doing for each other as they spend time in ranches

Of Mice And Men George And Lennie's Relationship
892 Words | 2 Pages
I could get along so easy and so nice if I didn't have you on my tail. I could live so easy and maybe have a girl. " If George wanted to leave Lennie and change his lifestyle completely, he easily could. But he stays with Lennie throughout the whole book so they must have a special friendship.
Read More
Desire for Companionship in John Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men"
1749 Words | 4 Pages
...cause they have each other, and aren't alone like other workers, they are capable of doing to much more, such as their dream of “'[living] off the fatta the lan''” (14). They do not feel like their lives are headed nowhere, because they will always have each other to talk to and be with and rely on. By valuing their companionship, Lennie and George can do anything they set their mind to.
Read More
Compare And Contrast In Cold Men And Of Mice And Men
1122 Words | 3 Pages
It is very apparent that each of the four characters in the two friendships feed off of each other. In Steinbeck’s novel, Of Mice and Men, George and Lennie are very different, yet they need one other. George is a very independent, loyal, and caring person who takes care of Lennie because Lennie is unable to take care of himself. Although George makes it seem like he would be better off without Lennie, George makes it clear that without him he would be better off. This is evident because of this conversation h regularly had with Lennie” I could go get a job an’
Read More
Essay On Friendships In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men
482 Words | 1 Pages
One thing George does that good friends do is that no matter what George always defended Lennie. While Lennie and George were in Weed Lennie was touching a girl's dress and was accused of raping her. George took Lennie and ran away far enough ,so Lennie wouldn’t be beaten or killed. George also tells Lennie to defend himself against Curley while Curley was beating Lennie. If George wouldn’t of said anything Lennie would have never defended himself. George is always on Lennie’s side, like when George told Lennie he didn’t do anything wrong when he beat up Curley. George is constantly saying that Lennie is a hella of a worker ,so Lennie can get a job as well in the ranch. George is always trying to make Lennie feel better.
Read More
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
1044 Words | 3 Pages
Relationships are an important essence of life. Humans need relationships because we are dependent on each other to survive. Babies need their mothers to feed and nurse them, and friends need each other to support, comfort, sympathize, and understand them. The friendship between George and Lennie outlined the core of Of Mice and Men, and although it’s sometimes idealized and exaggerated throughout the novel, there is no question of its sincerity. Lennie thinks of George as his only friend, his guardian, someone who he can trust and depend on, someone who had accepted him for who he is despite his childlike tendencies. Every time he did something wrong, his only thoughts would be of George’s disapproval. “I done a real bad thing. I shouldn’t have did that. George’ll be mad. An’… he said…. An’ hide in the brush till he come. He’s gonna be mad.” (pg. 92) On the other hand, George thinks of Lennie as a constant source of frustration, and as he frequently mention in the novel, “God, you’re a lot of trouble. I could get along so easy and nice if I didn’t have you on my t...
Read More
Friendship In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men
891 Words | 2 Pages
True friends are difficult to find in life, especially as an adult. Lennie, a main character in Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, was lucky enough to have George, despite all the odds he faced with mental illness. Lennie, having a tall, stocky frame, was intimidating to many people at first glance (Steinbeck 2). However, after they discovered his childlike nature, he quickly became an easy target for ridicule and violence. George sacrifices a normal life to protect Lennie and those he encounters. This relationship is crucial to their survival. The importance of friendship is a major theme found in the book. This is shown through the character’s strong bond between one another, how they face society in the 1930s, and how they influence each other’s actions.
Read More
Theme Of Mercy In Of Mice And Men
1147 Words | 3 Pages
He never understood things the way “normal” people do. He is like a giant baby, not able to make any decisions himself and pure at heart. George is wise and witty is fully capable himself, yet he sticks around Lennie regardless. “… if I was alone I could live so easy. I could go get a job an’work, an’no trouble.” George expresses his frustration of how much trouble Lennie cause him. And how if wasn’t with Lennie he would have a simple live and wouldn’t have any trouble. However, when Lennie ask George if he should leave George says no. This is because he cares for Lennie despite how much work he is. The means that there is now way George would have even though of killing Lennie if he thought I wouldn’t be the best and only possibility for him. He always cared for him and knew that if Lennie did go live alone he wouldn’t be able to
Read More
Essay On How George And Lennie Make Each Other
777 Words | 2 Pages
Just as looking after each other is important, another component of a healthy relationship is being able to make each other better people. With no surprise, George and Lennie are able to do this for each other constantly. The first way that George and Lennie make each other better people is because they have common goals between each other. George and Lennie explain to readers how their goal is to own a farm with each other. Their farm will take up an acre of land, and it will have a shack on that land that they can live in. They will own chickens, pigs, cows, and rabbits that Lennie will be able to tend. (Steinbeck 105-106)
Read More
Theme Of Friendship In Of Mice And Men
838 Words | 2 Pages
‘If you don’t want me, you just’ got to say so, and I’ll go off in those hills right there.’” (Stenbeck, 1). This shows true friendship, because the reader can pick out how they are both being virtuous towards each other. Lennie is upset, and wants to leave, so George wants to show how much he cares to keep him around since he enjoys him. They truly care, and do not expect anything from each other, just the care within the bond they have.
Read More
Of Mice And Men Friendship Quotes
680 Words | 2 Pages
Do you know what the meaning of friendship is? In Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, you learn about George and Lennie taking care of each other. They also support one another in striving after their shared dream. George and Lennie make sacrifices for one another and are responsible for one another. George and Lennie’s relationship shows us the true meaning of friendship.
Read More
Self-Discovery Through Relationship in John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men
708 Words | 2 Pages
George says that none of his other friends are quite like Lennie. They did not have a true relationship with him. George also says that Lennie is an annoyance most of the time, but he got used to it and eventually could not get rid of him. This shows that George is lonely, due to the loss of Lennie. It is proven that Lennie causes George to realize his need for others in his life.
Read More
Friendship in Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men"
774 Words | 2 Pages
"Were born alone we live alone die alone. Only through love and friendship can we create the illusion for the moment that were not alone” Orson Welles. In this novel, Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck focuses on the loneliness of California ranch life in the 1930’s. One of the most important things in the life is to have a friend, without friends people will suffer from loneliness like in this novel, not everyone in the novel has the same connection and special friendship like George and Lennie’s. Of Mice and Men is the story about lonely men who travel from ranch to ranch not really communicating with other ranch hands. Candy, Crooks and Curley’s wife all were lonely and dealt with their loneliness in different ways.
Read More
The Importance of Lennie and George’s Friendship in Of Mice and Men by Steinbeck
658 Words | 2 Pages
The famed nurses study from Harvard found “Not having a close friend is as detrimental to your health as smoking.” Lennie and George’s friendship is necessary to keep the better for each other. Throughout the story, Lennie and George need each other and look out for one another no matter what. Lennie and George’s friendship and journey throughout the story symbolizes the struggles to achieve the American dream. Steinbeck, in the story Of Mice and Men, combines characterization and symbolism to prove friends do whats best for eachother.
Read More
Of Mice And Men - The Importance Of George
1823 Words | 4 Pages
George’s relationship with Lennie has made him selfless; his conversations, with and with out Lennie, are generally revolving around Lennie, although in the case of their dream-ranch George seems to find fulfilment for himself as well. Due to these altruistic tendencies that he shows throughout the novel, a danger is bestowed upon George; he tends to care for Lennie far too much, and too little for himself. In occasional moments, he escapes his sympathy and compassion for Lennie, and realises the burden that he causes. This usually results in George taking his frustration out on Lennie, which can often harm his simple mind, leaving Lennie upset and forced to confess to his own uselessness, and George feeling guilty for what he has caused. We can learn very little about George through his actual conversations, which made it necessary for Steinbeck to focus the novel on him in particular, and let the reader gain an closer insight on him through his actions. Generally, he seems to be caring, intelligent and sensible, but is greatly worn by the constant attention Lennie requires. This illustrates a major theme in Of Mice and Men, the dangers that arise when one becomes involved in a dedicated relationship.
Read More
True Friendship In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men
948 Words | 2 Pages
What is your definition of a true friend? Well, to me, a true friend is someone who understands you, accepts you for who you are, and is willing to do anything for you. 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. After Lennie Small, a man as gigantic as a mammoth with a pea-sized brain is caught touching a girl’s dress in the town of Weed, he and his best friend, an average migrant worker, George Milton, travel a strenuous journey to the town of Soledad and start working on a ranch. The young men come to realize that they have a true, brotherly bond and nothing can separate them. Even though the book has its rough spots, Steinbeck portrays the true bond of friendship that even people as close as siblings have. Throughout the story, George
Read More

Open Document

Wait a second!

Friendship In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

Of Mice And Men George And Lennie's Relationship

Desire for Companionship in John Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men"

Compare And Contrast In Cold Men And Of Mice And Men

Essay On Friendships In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck