Of Mice And Men George And Lennie's Relationship

One important factor in any healthy relationship is support. It is intrinsic that all healthy relationships must have two people that are willing to support, encourage, and look after one another; in Steinbeck’s, Of Mice and Men, that is just what George and Lennie do. An unseemly pair, George and Lennie are the best of friends. Lennie is a large guy while George is small guy, but their bond is unbreakable. George has a lot of care towards Lennie, and it is showed early on. As they were walking along, Lennie says to George,
“If you don’t want me, you only jus’ got to say so, and I’ll go off in those hills right there— right up in those hills and live by myself. An’ I won’t get no mice stole from me.” George said, “I want you to stay with me,

No, you stay with me. Your Aunt Clara wouldn’t like you running off by yourself, even if she is dead.” (Steinbeck 13)
Lennie understands that he must be a lot of work for George to deal with and he offers to leave him because he feels bad. However, George cares for Lennie so much that he refuses Lennie’s offer. George is committed to looking after Lennie because he appreciates him and their friendship, even if Lennie is quite a bit of work. In the way that George thinks of Aunt Clara’s opinion, despite the fact that she is dead, also highlights how he is looking out for him. He is committed to his position to protect and look out for Lennie and will not give that commitment up, no matter what Lennie proposes to him. Since George and Lennie’s relationship is so good, obviously Lennie looks after George, too. While Crooks is talking to Lennie, he tries taking advantage of Lennie. Crooks tries convincing Lennie that George is not coming back to him and that he is hurt and just did not tell him, suggesting that George might

Instead of buying into what Crooks is saying, Lennie becomes defensive and says, “Ain’t nobody goin’ to talk no hurt to George,” he grumbled” (Steinbeck 72). In this situation, Lennie looks after George and defends him. Crooks is doubting George; proposing to Lennie that George may not be as good of a person as he may believe. This angers Lennie because he knows just how great George is, so he decides to step in and stand up for George by using intimidation. Lennie is a pretty big guy, so this strategy of his works well and shows Crooks to not mess with him. In doing this, Lennie is showing how he cares for and looks after George. He does not want people to be saying untrue things about George because he cares about him and knows that he is an outstanding person. A final way that George and Lennie show how they are always looking after each other is because they constantly remind each other of it. While George was talking to Lennie about how their partnership is