True Friendship In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

Of Mice and Men Analytical Essay
Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck and Pooh Bear and Piglet are all pairs of true friends. They are together, helping and caring for each other in both fun and easy times, along with hard and painful times. A true friend is one’s supporter, sidekick, and other half. A true friend is someone who brings the other back up when they’re down and is always there for them to count on. John Steinbeck’s novel, Of Mice and Men, tells the story of two true friends. George and Lennie have traveled together for quite some time. George is a small, lean, quick-witted man who travels with, and cares for Lennie. Lennie is a large, clumsy, childlike migrant worker. George is a true friend to Lennie because he constantly has Lennie’s
For example, George helps Lennie secure and keep a job. George allows Lennie to travel with him and work by his side. The two arrive at a ranch for employment, and George speaks on Lennie’s behalf to earn Lennie and himself a job. When talking to the boss about Lennie, George states, “…He’s sure a hell of a good worker. Strong as a bull” (Steinbeck 22). George speaks for Lennie in this instance and provides an image of a strong, well-suited worker for the ranch. As a true friend, George helps earn Lennie opportunities for work and assists him in keeping them. Moreover, no matter how complex a situation is, George has Lennie’s best interest in mind and this is exactly what George is thinking of when he shoots Lennie at the end of the novel. The situation is a difficult one. Devotion to the overall well-being of Lennie is revealed here because George and Lennie have traveled together as far back as anyone knows and they are each other’s other half. “‘Never you mind,’ said Slim. ‘A guy got to sometimes’” (107). Slim explains that a man has to make tough decisions for the overall wellbeing of oneself and loved ones. Lennie and George are continuously on the run.