Sheehy English 11

If I had to choose a favorite writer between Ernest Hemingway and John Steinbeck, I would have to choose Steinbeck, for 2 reasons.  Firstly, just comparing The Old Man and the Sea and Of Mice and Men, I found the latter to be a bit more exciting.  Secondly, I felt that I connected with George and Lennie on a level that seemed impossible for Santiago.  The reason I think I could connect with them is the fact that their friendship was so strong.  They were like 2 halves of a whole person, which made them stand out more, and that is why I believe the theme of the book is friendship.

Now don’t get me wrong.  Friendship isn’t the only theme.  It is coupled with others like sorrow and hardship, but those things only strengthen the presence of the bond that George and Lennie have.  George sticks with Lennie through all the hard times of traveling from ranch to ranch, on the run, with no money.

George is always giving Lennie a hard time and at times seems like he is being downright mean, but deep down, he loves Lennie like a brother.  Whenever Lennie asks George to tell him about the rabbits, he (reluctantly) does it:  “‘You get a kick outta that, don’t you?  Awright, I’ll tell you, and then we’ll eat our supper…’” (13).  He is compelled to make sure Lennie is happy and safe.  That’s how I am with my brothers anyway.

George is worried about Lennie and vice versa.  They need each other whether they know it or not.  To quote a movie that is one of the most over-quoted ever, they “complete” each other, and if one of the halves is broken, well, there really isn’t a point, is there?  When Lennie was looking at Curley’s wife, George knew what could potentially happen.  He gets after Lennie when he told him to “keep away from her, ‘cause she’s a rat trap if I ever seen one” (32). 

Many could argue that if George was a true friend, he would have let Lennie go and run off with him again; that what he did was cold hearted and unnecessary.  However, the book states that “George raised the gun and his hand shook, and he dropped his hand to the ground again” (105).  To me, that suggests, not even suggests, it flat out tells you that George truly didn’t want to kill Lennie and that he didn’t have another choice.  Prison life for Lennie would be no good.  He wouldn’t be able to handle it in a cell by his self.  Not to mention, Curley hated his guts and would surely use this to torture him a great deal.

In killing Lennie, George killed a little bit of himself.  His dream, their dream of the farm and the rabbits, died with Lennie.  I feel that George wouldn’t be able to go on like he normally would with Lennie around.  I mean if one of the halves is broken, well, there really isn’t a point, is there?

Filed under: Of Mice and Men, Students Work and