Mercy Killing or Murder: Where Is The Line Drawn?
In various situations, committing a crime can be seen as a necessary action to save a person’s life in the long run. In John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men, Lennie Smalls and George Milton are two migrant workers who have been together since they can last remember. George took Lennie under his wing because of the mental problems Lennie has. While working on a ranch together, Lennie and George run into a very unique situation that neither of them have ever seen before. Lennie ends up running away from the ranch and George goes to find him. Once they meet up, George decides to kill Lennie because of this situation to save him from what will happen. Many situations like this one occur in families …show more content…
George Milton’s decision to take Lennie Smalls’ life was the correct one if it means saving him from what he cannot change.
Throughout the book, Lennie and George find themselves in situations that are difficult to navigate. These instances are dispersed throughout the book leaving Lennie in a very confused state. Specifically, “Lennie was in a panic. His face was contorted. She screamed then, and Lennie’s other hand closed over her mouth and nose. “Please don’t,” be bedded. “Oh! Please don’t do that. George’ll be mad,” (Qtd. In Steinbeck, 91). Lennie can not handle stressful positions because of his mental issues; nobody he knows is able to recognize why this is. Lennie is unable to get himself out of this problem causing him to murder the woman. George had no choice to kill Lennie because he is always there to get him out of these issues. This time, he helped in …show more content…
Murder is an action that cannot be taken back so, making that decision for the right reason is difficult. In many cases it is called a mercy killing based on the situation. Like George, Gigi Jordan killed her autistic son, Jude. He was abused by his biological father which is why she ended his life. This circumstance was considered a mercy killing. Specifically, “In December 2008, Jordan said Tzekov, reentered their lives and subjected the tormented youngsters to fresh horrors,” (Rosenberg). Gigi made the hardest parenting decision to end his life because of the awful abuse he was faced with. With Jude being autistic, the abuse was not expressed until Jude was able to articulate 3 words; dad, butt and finger. Gigi Jordan put together what happened and then killed her son. Being in this situation, what parent would not want to end it once and for all? George is like a parent to Lennie, making the decision even harder than
In various situations, committing a crime can be seen as a necessary action to save a person’s life in the long run. In John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men, Lennie Smalls and George Milton are two migrant workers who have been together since they can last remember. George took Lennie under his wing because of the mental problems Lennie has. While working on a ranch together, Lennie and George run into a very unique situation that neither of them have ever seen before. Lennie ends up running away from the ranch and George goes to find him. Once they meet up, George decides to kill Lennie because of this situation to save him from what will happen. Many situations like this one occur in families …show more content…
George Milton’s decision to take Lennie Smalls’ life was the correct one if it means saving him from what he cannot change.
Throughout the book, Lennie and George find themselves in situations that are difficult to navigate. These instances are dispersed throughout the book leaving Lennie in a very confused state. Specifically, “Lennie was in a panic. His face was contorted. She screamed then, and Lennie’s other hand closed over her mouth and nose. “Please don’t,” be bedded. “Oh! Please don’t do that. George’ll be mad,” (Qtd. In Steinbeck, 91). Lennie can not handle stressful positions because of his mental issues; nobody he knows is able to recognize why this is. Lennie is unable to get himself out of this problem causing him to murder the woman. George had no choice to kill Lennie because he is always there to get him out of these issues. This time, he helped in …show more content…
Murder is an action that cannot be taken back so, making that decision for the right reason is difficult. In many cases it is called a mercy killing based on the situation. Like George, Gigi Jordan killed her autistic son, Jude. He was abused by his biological father which is why she ended his life. This circumstance was considered a mercy killing. Specifically, “In December 2008, Jordan said Tzekov, reentered their lives and subjected the tormented youngsters to fresh horrors,” (Rosenberg). Gigi made the hardest parenting decision to end his life because of the awful abuse he was faced with. With Jude being autistic, the abuse was not expressed until Jude was able to articulate 3 words; dad, butt and finger. Gigi Jordan put together what happened and then killed her son. Being in this situation, what parent would not want to end it once and for all? George is like a parent to Lennie, making the decision even harder than