Beyond The Line:

Characters:

Discuss the relationship between George and Lennie.

The relationship between Lennie and George is very difficult and changes various times throughout Of Mice and Men. Throughout the novel George struggles with his feelings for Lennie as they change strongly from event to event as George tries to think of ways to deal with Lennie. Lennie's personality is like that of a child. He is innocent and mentally handicapped with no ability to understand certain concepts like death. George's personality mainly reflects both anger and understanding.

Lennie thinks that George is the most important person in his life. Lennie thinks that George is his guardian and his only friend. He worries what George will do if he does something wrong, he doesn't want his disapproval. Maybe George will give him hell if he does something wrong. Lennie looks up to George to keep him out of trouble.

George tries to keep Lennie from getting in trouble. When George and Lennie first arrive at the bunkhouse George can sense that Curly doesn't like Lennie. George tells Lennie to stay away from Curly and his wife and don't say anything to them. When Curly hits Lennie he doesn't hit him back until George tells him to.

George admits that he once abused Lennie for his own amusement. When George first met Lennie he took advantage of him. George stuck to his word and has always been on Lennie's side. Lennie makes George feel special. They are different from all the other guys, and George realizes only too well that they have a special bond. At the ranch, George often plays solitaire, a game for one. Without Lennie, George would be a loner. George has a strong sense of responsibility.

George and Lennie share a dream of buying their own piece of land, farming it, and Lennie tending keeping rabbits. In the end, he even takes responsibility for Lennie's death. George knew he had to do it for Lennie's own good. He didn't realize what he did and couldn't be punished so George did the best he could and decided it was best not to let Curley get to him, obviously he had to shoot him. These actions really showed how relationships with friends, even the complete opposites, still love and care for each other.