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Written in 1937, John Steinbeck's novel "Of Mice and Men" depicts the struggles faced by migrant workers during the Great Depression in America. It also sheds light on the challenges ordinary individuals encounter while pursuing the American Dream. The author presents various ways to portray the relationship between George and Lennie, who serve as the main characters. As per the dictionary definition, a "relationship" refers to interactions among groups or individuals.
The friendship between George and Lennie is clearly evident through their spoken communication and body language, particularly observed in Lennie's diverse behaviors towards George.
Throughout the narrative, it becomes increasingly apparent that Lennie faces mental challenges and relies on George's care and support for his survival.
Their interdependence cannot be denied as each one depends on the other for their very existence.
George takes on the role of leader and parental figure towards Lennie, as shown when he scolds him for drinking excessively, stating "Lennie for God's sakes don't drink so much" (page 20).
Additionally, George asserts his authority by instructing Lennie to hand over the dead mouse, saying "Come on, give it here" (page 22).
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Along with being authoritative and independent, George easily makes friends and is sociable. Described as "small and quick," with a "dark face" and "restless sharp eyes," George also possesses distinctive physical attributes such as strong hands, slender arms, and a thin bony nose (page 19).
Lennie's disposition and mindset are straightforward. He is a physically large individual, described as a "huge man, shapeless of face, with large, pale eyes, with wide, sloping shoulders, walking heavily and dragging his feet." (page 19) His strength is his primary asset in seeking employment.
However, Lennie lacks the comprehension of adult perspectives and cannot understand appropriate behavior in such situations.
This shows that Lennie displays childlike behavior. Additionally, the novel reveals that Lennie takes pleasure in touching and caressing soft objects due to his love for textures and the sense of touch. This tactile nature is evident from the beginning when he accidentally kills a mouse while petting it. Therefore, it can be inferred that Lennie has a strong inclination towards tactile experiences. He is unable to care for himself and always brings misfortune upon anyone he meets. Thus, it can be concluded that Lennie is also extremely unlucky. HOWEVER, despite all this, Lennie's loyalty shines through as he remains unwaveringly faithful and trusting towards George throughout the entire novel.
The friendship between George and Lennie in the novel is portrayed through their body language. This is demonstrated by Lennie's constantly changing behavior towards George. As the story progresses, we realize that Lennie is mentally impaired and has a childlike nature. The quote, “his face grew tight with thought," (page 24), emphasizes that Lennie is unable to survive on his own and always seeks approval from George. In the opening chapter, we learn that Lennie looks up to George, which is evident when Steinbeck writes, “Lennie, who had been watching, imitated George exactly." (page 21).
From this we also learn that Lennie lacks self-control and moral judgement. In their friendship, George assumes responsibility for making valid decisions and looking after Lennie. Lennie's experiences are deemed good or bad solely based on George's opinion. Lennie and George serve as contrasting characters who rely on each other for survival. While Lennie poses numerous challenges for George, he ultimately benefits him. Without Lennie, George would have fewer job prospects and feel much lonelier.
The bond between the two characters is centered around their shared dream and its advantages. George and Lennie aspire to possess a plot of land with a cozy house and harvest their own crops, as well as care for rabbits. This dream serves as a strong connection between them, fulfilling their desire to avoid loneliness. In fact, George tells Lennie that individuals like them, who work on ranches, are the loneliest in the world since they lack a family and a sense of belonging. Through their dream, George brings a sense of openness to their social situation, stating that their situation differs from the typical loneliness experienced by ranch workers.
On page 32, Lennie interrupts George and expresses, "An’ why? Because I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you, and that’s why." Their relationship revolves around their mutual dependency, fulfilled dreams, and shared fear of loneliness. George recognizes the value of Lennie's companionship compared to complete solitude. He dreads the possibility of being abandoned once he becomes useless, which drives him to cling onto his dream as tightly as possible. Dreams are cherished by everyone on the ranch. Candy dreams of joining George and Lennie's aspirations, not for security but to alleviate his longing for companionship. George understands that when people collaborate, dreams are realized much quicker.
When Candy offered his partnership, George and Lennie were astonished and filled with awe. In the novel, we witness George's growing sense of hope in their dream. He realized that the key to making their dream a reality was unity. Despite enduring the challenges of their relationship, George valued Lennie's unparalleled strength, which enabled them to accomplish more work than others. He harbored a fear of being abandoned and left alone, which is why he held onto Lennie's friendship.
The way George speaks to Lennie reveals their relationship, with George acting as a leader or parent figure. He instructs Lennie not to drink from the water and not to touch the mouse, and he urges him to stay quiet and let George handle all the talking. This dynamic portrays George as a parental figure to Lennie. Furthermore, George frequently shouts at Lennie, giving him explicit directions and using strong language. This is the only way for George to express his worry and frustration to Lennie. It is clear that George easily loses his temper with Lennie because he wants to prevent him from getting into any more trouble. George's impatience and short temper are evident in his commanding and demanding manner towards Lennie.
The first chapter of the novel reveals that Lennie greatly admires George. This is shown through Lennie mimicking George's actions, like sitting with his knees up and hugging them (page 21), and adjusting his hat to look like George's (page 21). These actions demonstrate Lennie's idolization of George and his desire to make him happy. Lennie even suggests going to the hills to get ketchup for George if it were possible (page 30). Despite George frequently getting angry with Lennie, Lennie has learned how to approach him during these moments of anger. It is clear that Lennie would struggle to survive alone in the tough world. Through Lennie's child-like way of speaking and pleading, we understand that he has a simple nature and takes on a "child" role in their relationship. As George shares their dream story, a different attitude comes over Lennie.
George's role as a parent figure is evident as he tells a bedtime story in a deepened voice. This displays a more compassionate side of him, as he speaks softly and seems to want to believe in the fictional dream he created. Lennie is uplifted by the story and George praises him for remembering not to speak. In the second chapter, we observe a less demanding George who is more protective. When the ranch boss interrogates Lennie, George comes to his aid and fabricates a lie to shield him. He commends Lennie and once the boss departs, George reassumes the role of leader by admonishing Lennie again. When Curley's wife makes her initial appearance, George firmly expresses his desire for Lennie to steer clear of her, as she would cause trouble. Thus, he assumes the role of a protective parent by warning and safeguarding Lennie.
The novel uses speech and dialogue to represent the way all the working class ranch people would speak during the Depression era in America. The vocabulary used is mostly everyday language, except for terms related to equipment and jobs. Steinbeck incorporates slang, non-standard terms, and vulgarities in the dialogue. These speech patterns help recreate a specific time, place, and social strata, making the book feel authentic. All characters in the book use similar language and speech styles, including the boss of the ranch who does not speak differently from the ranch workers. The language employed in the novel serves as an equalizing force, ensuring that each person's story is equally important as long as they can express themselves.
According to my perspective, George and Lennie's relationship can be characterized as a form of loneliness despite having each other to trust and rely on. They solely depend on each other and trust no one else, which amplifies their sense of isolation. This is a manifestation of loneliness since losing that one person means having no one else. George clings onto his friendship with Lennie out of fear of being alone. In my view, he remains solitary despite having Lennie due to his overwhelming fear. George's fear of solitude drives him to desperately seek companionship, yet he fails to appreciate the company he already has. His reputation as a good friend mainly stems from his trouble-solving abilities and his assistance in finding work for Lennie.
The following text exemplifies the genuine friendship between Lennie and George, despite their involvement in a criminal act. Lennie depends on George for support rather than making demands, desiring only someone to care for him. George fulfills this role and Lennie consistently shows gratitude by striving to keep him happy. This is evident when Lennie offers to flee upon hearing George's complaints about ketchup and his desire for a life without Lennie. Ultimately, we learn that George has had to kill Lennie as a preventive measure against Curley's cruel intentions. Although legally considered murder, this action is morally justified as George was fulfilling his duty as a loyal friend to spare Lennie from a horrific fate.
George stayed with Lennie because he couldn't survive on his own and feared loneliness. Without Lennie, George knew he lacked employment opportunities. Despite having each other, they still feel lonely as they only have each other to rely on. They chose to be alone together for safety reasons. Due to Lennie's mental disability, he frequently got into trouble and George knew that someday he would face consequences for Lennie's mistakes. This is because George is aware of Lennie's capabilities.
BIBLIOGRAPHY: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relationship, http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071226131945AA34YlL, http://www.markedbyteachers.com/gcse/english/relationship-between-george-and-lennie-in-of-mice-of-men.html, http://www.studymode.com/essays/Of-Mice-And-Men-The-Relationship-1367770.html, http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_relationship_between_George_and_Lennie_in_Of_Mice_of_Men, http://www.ask.com/question/relationship-between-george-and-lennie, and http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/micemen/section1.rhtml.
In his novel Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck explores the bond between George and Lennie, portraying it as a connection rooted in reliance and friendship. The author highlights George's responsibility for caring for Lennie, who grapples with a cognitive impairment, while also emphasizing Lennie's need for guidance and protection from George. Throughout the story, various events illustrate this dynamic by showcasing how far George is willing to go to shield Lennie from trouble. Ultimately, Steinbeck presents their relationship as one characterized by loyalty, companionship, and a shared aspiration of owning their own land.
The Complex Relationship in "Of Mice and Men". (2016, Mar 19). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/of-mice-and-men-2-essay
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