The Importance of Family in of Mice and Men

The Importance of Family in, Of Mice and Men “In each family a story is playing itself out, and each family's story embodies its hope and despair.” - Auguste Napier. This quote shows great meaning throughout the story Of Mice and Men By John Steinbeck. The story is about two “bindlestiffs” that travel together in search of work, their names are George Milton and Lennie Small from the Salinas Mountain region of California. Lennie is a “slow” person and couldn’t possibly function correctly with George. George became Lennies caretaker when Lennies Aunt Clara passed away when he was younger, although they had always “been friends” (George would pick on Lennie for being mentally challenged). Because of Lennies disabilities, he is always getting himself and George in a lot of trouble, which is once again why they are on the move to Soledad for work on the ranch. This is because on their previous ranch (Weed), Lennie was accused of raping a girl, when really his soft spot for soft things caused him to grasp to a girls red dress. Also due to Lennies misfortunes, George feels obligated to stick by him by any means, thus the major family of the story. And as defined as “a group of people who are generally not blood relations but who share common attitudes, interests, or goals and, frequently, live together.”, which Of Mice and Men portrays immensely. As mentioned before George is Lennies caretaker because one, his mental status; and two, the death of his Aunt Clara. But they do have a dream, like most men of the time, to own their own little bit of land and their own ranch where they can choose to work or not and for Lennie to mend the rabbits. And although George repeatedly stated that he would be better off without Lennie, his morals and connection with him have kept him from leaving Lennie behind. He cares and loves Lennie just like any family should. This is the complete opposite of what their new landowners relationship to one another is. Lennies and Georges new