Through his novel Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck explores what actions or thoughts leads someone to inflict cruelty on another individual. This story takes place in a rural area known as Salines during the time of the Great Depression. The two main characters in the book, Lennie Small and George milton are trying to find some work at a ranch and to work towards their goal of owning a ranch. When they finally are granted a job at a ranch at Soledad they find a character that is very cruel to Lennie. Steinbeck’s novel teaches us that being cruel can affect the victim in many different ways.
One of the incentives for one person to be cruel to another is when one person is insecure and they cannot cope with their feelings. This is evident in …show more content…
In the beginning of the book Lennie is seen as a big man who is not quick to think. On their way to the ranch Lennie gets thirsty and decides to drink some water from a nearby lake. Upon seeing this George immediately get angry and he says, “Lennie, for God’ sakes don’t drink so much… You gonna be sick like you was last night” (3). George is being cruel to Lennie because he is fearing that he might get sick if the water is contaminated. He is being cruel to him because he cares about his safety and his well-being. When he says to not drink so much he is warning him about the water being contaminated and when he tells him that he might get sick he is showing what the result may be of drinking the water. George is caring for the well being of Lennie and he knows that Lennie will not listen unless he is cruel to him. Later on in the book George is again able to show cruelty to Lennie. While on their way to the ranch, George keeps on reminding Lennie that when they are talking to the boss he should show himself as a mute. He does this fearing that if Lennie talks, he could mess things up like he did on their old ranch. While talking to the boss Lennie seems to enjoy the talk as George keeps on complimenting him, saying things like he is as strong as a mule. Lennie, of course can not keep the excitement away and he repeats this exact same line. The boss notices this and he starts to question George, believing he is using Lennie for some reason. After they all get things settled out and leaves, George starts to let his anger out on Lennie. He says, “So you wasn’t gonna say a word. You was gonna keep you big flapper shut and leave me to do the talkin’. Damn near lost us the job. Lennie stared hopelessly as his hand, I forgot George. Yeah you forgot. You always forgot, an’ I got to talk you out of it….”(23). George is
One of the incentives for one person to be cruel to another is when one person is insecure and they cannot cope with their feelings. This is evident in …show more content…
In the beginning of the book Lennie is seen as a big man who is not quick to think. On their way to the ranch Lennie gets thirsty and decides to drink some water from a nearby lake. Upon seeing this George immediately get angry and he says, “Lennie, for God’ sakes don’t drink so much… You gonna be sick like you was last night” (3). George is being cruel to Lennie because he is fearing that he might get sick if the water is contaminated. He is being cruel to him because he cares about his safety and his well-being. When he says to not drink so much he is warning him about the water being contaminated and when he tells him that he might get sick he is showing what the result may be of drinking the water. George is caring for the well being of Lennie and he knows that Lennie will not listen unless he is cruel to him. Later on in the book George is again able to show cruelty to Lennie. While on their way to the ranch, George keeps on reminding Lennie that when they are talking to the boss he should show himself as a mute. He does this fearing that if Lennie talks, he could mess things up like he did on their old ranch. While talking to the boss Lennie seems to enjoy the talk as George keeps on complimenting him, saying things like he is as strong as a mule. Lennie, of course can not keep the excitement away and he repeats this exact same line. The boss notices this and he starts to question George, believing he is using Lennie for some reason. After they all get things settled out and leaves, George starts to let his anger out on Lennie. He says, “So you wasn’t gonna say a word. You was gonna keep you big flapper shut and leave me to do the talkin’. Damn near lost us the job. Lennie stared hopelessly as his hand, I forgot George. Yeah you forgot. You always forgot, an’ I got to talk you out of it….”(23). George is