The Importance Of Friendship In Of Mice And Men By John Steinbeck

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In the novel Of mice and Men by John Steinbeck, there are many friendship shown, the strongest being between George and Lennie. The two of them stood together throughout the book, except for at the end when George gave in and did what was right. Other friendships are shown between Crooks and Lennie, and Slim and George. Each person benefits slightly from each friendship they have, but Lennie probably is the one who benefits the most. There are people who have friends on the farm, but the most powerful friendship throughout almost the whole book is between Lennie and George. They always looked out for each other, even when they knew the other was doing something wrong. George was a great friend to Lennie because of how much he looked out for Crooks doesn't have many friends at the ranch because he is black, while all of the other men are white. Segregation is still very prominent during this time. But, because Lennie didn't understand the American culture at that time, he went against what everyone else supported, even if it was prominent throughout the whole country. “Culture does not make people, people make culture.” (“We Should All be Feminists” by Chimamanda Adichie) Lennie proved this quote to be true by forming a friendship with a man of the opposite race. He didn't understand why Crooks wasn't allowed to sleep in the bunkhouse, and felt bad because of that. Lennie didn't allow the culture surrounding him to change him too much as a person, he just shaped his interpretation of the culture differently than how others viewed it. Friendship and the absence of friendship in Of Mice and Men is a very significant theme, especially considering that Lennie's death at the end of the book was caused by his friendship with George. I believe that friendship is very important in this book and it helps many characters get through life. I could only hope to have a friend in my life that understand me as well as some of these friends understand each

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