The book “Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck has been praised countless times, and is considered one of the classics of American literature. Set in the 1930s, the time of the Great Depression, it tells the story of the unfortunate ones during this time, unlike many other books of that time that showed the luxury of rich people. Two main characters, George and Lennie, travel together from one ranch to another, accepting every job they get. George is a small and sinewy man who always has his eye on the prize. Lennie on the other hand, is childlike and clumsy. Due to his mild mental disability, Lennie completely depends upon George. There are other minor characters in this book, such as Candy, - an old man who works on the ranch, owns an old
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George is forced to make more and more sacrifices for Lennie, because he values their friendship. At the beginning of the book when George and Lennie are at the Salinas River on their way to a new job, George is infuriated because Lennie always gets them into trouble. “You can’t keep a job and you lose me ever’ job I get. Jus’ keep me shovin’ all over the country all the time. An’ that ain’t the worst. You get in trouble. You do bad things and I got to get you out.” (p.11). But a few moments later, when Lennie asks George if he wants him to leave, George quickly answers “I want you to stay with me, Lennie. Jesus Christ, somebody’d shoot you for a coyote if you was by yourself. No, you stay with me. Your Aunt Clara wouldn’t like you running off by yourself, even if she is dead” (p.13). Readers can see from the beginning that George already makes sacrifices for Lennie’s well being. He could have easily abandoned him, but chose to take care of Lennie, instead. This was very rare during this time, since every man was independent; most workers traveled separately and spent their money for themselves. However, there’s still some confusion about what’s George’s …show more content…
Candy, the old man working on the ranch, keeps an old raggedy dog, until their friendship comes to an obstacle Candy cannot prevent. When the old man Candy is introduced, he’s already followed by his old raggedy dog. When George tells him that his dog is very old, Candy shares that he “had him ever since he was a pup”, trying to justify why he keeps the dog with him. Candy is attached to the dog and is willing to keep it, even if it is an encumbrance for him. But by the middle of the book it becomes clear how old is the dog is when the workers repeatedly tell Candy that the it has no teeth and it’s “no good to himself” (p.44). Ultimately, Candy lets one of the workers shoot his dog, because he sees how much it is suffering (p.47). Candy decides to do what he believes is best for his dog, rather than making a decision based on his feelings. Later in the same chapter Candy tells George that he “ought to of shot that dog [him]self…” and that he “shouldn’t ought to of let no stranger shoot [his] dog” (p.61). Candy understands that the dog was too old, but regrets the fact that he didn’t shoot it himself. The fate of Candy’s ancient dog is somewhat a foreshadowing of Lennie’s death, as George shoots Lennie himself, rather than letting a stranger do it. Candy’s devotion to his dog certainly shows that many times friendship is about understanding what is best for your friend, even if
George is forced to make more and more sacrifices for Lennie, because he values their friendship. At the beginning of the book when George and Lennie are at the Salinas River on their way to a new job, George is infuriated because Lennie always gets them into trouble. “You can’t keep a job and you lose me ever’ job I get. Jus’ keep me shovin’ all over the country all the time. An’ that ain’t the worst. You get in trouble. You do bad things and I got to get you out.” (p.11). But a few moments later, when Lennie asks George if he wants him to leave, George quickly answers “I want you to stay with me, Lennie. Jesus Christ, somebody’d shoot you for a coyote if you was by yourself. No, you stay with me. Your Aunt Clara wouldn’t like you running off by yourself, even if she is dead” (p.13). Readers can see from the beginning that George already makes sacrifices for Lennie’s well being. He could have easily abandoned him, but chose to take care of Lennie, instead. This was very rare during this time, since every man was independent; most workers traveled separately and spent their money for themselves. However, there’s still some confusion about what’s George’s …show more content…
Candy, the old man working on the ranch, keeps an old raggedy dog, until their friendship comes to an obstacle Candy cannot prevent. When the old man Candy is introduced, he’s already followed by his old raggedy dog. When George tells him that his dog is very old, Candy shares that he “had him ever since he was a pup”, trying to justify why he keeps the dog with him. Candy is attached to the dog and is willing to keep it, even if it is an encumbrance for him. But by the middle of the book it becomes clear how old is the dog is when the workers repeatedly tell Candy that the it has no teeth and it’s “no good to himself” (p.44). Ultimately, Candy lets one of the workers shoot his dog, because he sees how much it is suffering (p.47). Candy decides to do what he believes is best for his dog, rather than making a decision based on his feelings. Later in the same chapter Candy tells George that he “ought to of shot that dog [him]self…” and that he “shouldn’t ought to of let no stranger shoot [his] dog” (p.61). Candy understands that the dog was too old, but regrets the fact that he didn’t shoot it himself. The fate of Candy’s ancient dog is somewhat a foreshadowing of Lennie’s death, as George shoots Lennie himself, rather than letting a stranger do it. Candy’s devotion to his dog certainly shows that many times friendship is about understanding what is best for your friend, even if