Despite their differences, people often form an unbreakable bond that may fulfill one another’s needs. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck reveals how two distinct characters use their stark contrast to complement each other in their journey. George and Lennie’s relationship is based on their needs for survival, companionship, and compassion.
Lennie’s mental handicap places a burden on George to ensure his survival. Confused on the way to their next job, George is aggravated when Lennie remarks, "Where we goin', George?" The little man jerked down the brim of his hat and scowled over at Lennie. "So you forgot that already?” Through a simple question Lennie demonstrates he is mentally slow. Through their journey Lennie will not only need George …show more content…
After Lennie is rejected George admits, “No—look! I was jus' foolin', Lennie. 'Cause I want you to stay with me." George does appreciate Lennie, but it is his nature to act as if he is an extra nuisance. George reveals his loneliness and true feelings towards Lennie when there is a risk of losing him. Confused by George’s genuine care for Lennie his boss asks, “what stake you got in this guy? You takin' his pay away from him?" "No, 'course I ain't. Why you think I'm sellin' him out?" "Well, I never seen one guy take so much trouble for another guy. I just like to know what your interest is." George’s boss cannot comprehend why an ambitious intelligent man would dedicate so much effort into someone weighing him down. In George’s eye’s the temptation of taking Lennie’s pay and disregarding him altogether is overshadowed by his concrete morals and deep appreciation for Lennie as a partner. "Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world. They got no family. They don't belong no place. They come to a ranch an' work up a stake and then they go inta town and blow their stake, and the first thing you know they're poundin' their tail on some other ranch. They ain't got nothing to look ahead to." George accepts that he is a lonely job hopping ranch hand that has nothing to look forward to in his life. The depressing reality of George further reveals …show more content…
George hears crying after he took away the mouse Lennie killed and says, "Blubberin’ like a baby! Jesus Christ! A big guy like you!" Lennie’s lip quivered and tears started in his eyes. "Aw, Lennie!" George put his hand on Lennie’s shoulder. "I ain’t takin’ it away jus’ for meanness.” George understands Lennie killed the mouse because of his disability which keeps him from understanding his own strength. He shows compassion in taking it away from Lennie while trying to keep him under control. After he instructs Lennie no to not talk while being introduced to their new boss George says, "He's sure a hell of a good worker. Strong as a bull." Lennie smiled to himself. "Strong as a bull," he repeated. George scowled at him, and Lennie dropped his head in shame at having forgotten. Again, George must show compassion to Lennie when he forgets to not talk during the interview. In the heat of the moment, George must remember to consider his partner’s disability and not to lose his temper while giving Lennie forgiveness. George heard the mob searching for Lennie approaching and had to make a hard decision: “And George raised the gun and steadied it, and he brought the muzzle of it close to the back of Lennie's head. The hand shook violently, but his face set and his hand steadied. He pulled the trigger. The crash of the shot rolled up the hills and
Lennie’s mental handicap places a burden on George to ensure his survival. Confused on the way to their next job, George is aggravated when Lennie remarks, "Where we goin', George?" The little man jerked down the brim of his hat and scowled over at Lennie. "So you forgot that already?” Through a simple question Lennie demonstrates he is mentally slow. Through their journey Lennie will not only need George …show more content…
After Lennie is rejected George admits, “No—look! I was jus' foolin', Lennie. 'Cause I want you to stay with me." George does appreciate Lennie, but it is his nature to act as if he is an extra nuisance. George reveals his loneliness and true feelings towards Lennie when there is a risk of losing him. Confused by George’s genuine care for Lennie his boss asks, “what stake you got in this guy? You takin' his pay away from him?" "No, 'course I ain't. Why you think I'm sellin' him out?" "Well, I never seen one guy take so much trouble for another guy. I just like to know what your interest is." George’s boss cannot comprehend why an ambitious intelligent man would dedicate so much effort into someone weighing him down. In George’s eye’s the temptation of taking Lennie’s pay and disregarding him altogether is overshadowed by his concrete morals and deep appreciation for Lennie as a partner. "Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world. They got no family. They don't belong no place. They come to a ranch an' work up a stake and then they go inta town and blow their stake, and the first thing you know they're poundin' their tail on some other ranch. They ain't got nothing to look ahead to." George accepts that he is a lonely job hopping ranch hand that has nothing to look forward to in his life. The depressing reality of George further reveals …show more content…
George hears crying after he took away the mouse Lennie killed and says, "Blubberin’ like a baby! Jesus Christ! A big guy like you!" Lennie’s lip quivered and tears started in his eyes. "Aw, Lennie!" George put his hand on Lennie’s shoulder. "I ain’t takin’ it away jus’ for meanness.” George understands Lennie killed the mouse because of his disability which keeps him from understanding his own strength. He shows compassion in taking it away from Lennie while trying to keep him under control. After he instructs Lennie no to not talk while being introduced to their new boss George says, "He's sure a hell of a good worker. Strong as a bull." Lennie smiled to himself. "Strong as a bull," he repeated. George scowled at him, and Lennie dropped his head in shame at having forgotten. Again, George must show compassion to Lennie when he forgets to not talk during the interview. In the heat of the moment, George must remember to consider his partner’s disability and not to lose his temper while giving Lennie forgiveness. George heard the mob searching for Lennie approaching and had to make a hard decision: “And George raised the gun and steadied it, and he brought the muzzle of it close to the back of Lennie's head. The hand shook violently, but his face set and his hand steadied. He pulled the trigger. The crash of the shot rolled up the hills and