Why Is Lennie Important In Of Mice And Men

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In John Steinbeck's classic novella Of Mice and Men George acts as a father figure towards Lennie in multiple ways. When George and Lennie get booted out of Weed they must relocate to a new ranch where they will work in order for them to get their 600$ dream home and the happy life they have always desired. Unfortunately many things attempt to inflict with their hopes of a new home including Lennie's strong body and young kid like mind . On their way towards their dream place George must nurture, protect, and show many valuable lessons to Lennie and without a doubt George nurturing for Lennie is the biggest factor of the three. George nurtures Lennie in multiple ways. First, George makes sure that his best friend never goes hungry. For example, …show more content…

George then encourages Lennie to go find some willows and start a fire so that they can heat the beans and sit down to their bean fiesta. Lennie then remarks that he likes ketchup with his beans. George gets paranoid after the seemingly needy statement and just sends Lennie on his way telling him not to mess around and that it will be dark shortly.(Steinbeck 8) Second, George equips Lennie with thoughts of a home and dreams to look forward to. For instance, George and Lennie are having their bean fiesta and Lennie asks George to tell him how it is going to be. At first George is mad because Lennie won't give him a break but Lennie coaxes George into telling him the delightful story. George explains that guys like himself and Lennie have to work on a farm and get their fifty bucks then they just go blow it in town at the whore house and on drinks. George then says not us though. George then explains that one day they are going to have enough money and go buy a place of their own. George then mentions that they will have a vegetable garden, maybe a few chickens, and rabbits. Out in the garden George says they will have an alfalfa patch and when the rabbits are hungry Lennie will …show more content…

First, George makes sure that his fellow traveler does not get caught by the law. For example, George must keep Lennie and himself from getting caught after Lennie was accused of rape. When Lennie spots a girl in a red velvet dress he wants to touch it because he loves to touch soft things. When he touches the soft dress the girl screams and screams which makes Lennie become petrified. Since Lennie isn't the brightest bulb he can only think to hold on. When George comes over he smacks Lennie over the head with a fence picket. Then that girl goes blabbin to the law about how she has been raped so the law comes after George and Lennie. George then runs away with lennie and they hide in an irrigation ditch all day to keep away from the authorities.(Steinbeck 41-42) Second, George tries to stand up for Lennie the best he can against people who could mess with Lennie. For instance, Curley comes strolling into the bunkhouse on the very first day Lennie and George arrive. Curley asks if anyone had seen his father. Candy responds saying that Curleys dad was here just a minute ago. Before Curley goes he scans George and Lennie and stops on Lennie. Curley clenches his fists and lowers his stance, Curley asks if Lennie and George were the new guys. Obviously George answers, but Curley wants Lennie to speak. George won't let that happen and steps up and says “what if he doesn't want to talk”. Curley whirls around and exclaims that Lennie has

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