How Does George Kill Lennie Friendship

Sometimes everything is not what it seems. In the novel, Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, the author shows us this when two characters, George and Lennie, are put into a difficult situation. Throughout the book, Steinbeck shows that George’s decision to kill Lennie is an act of friendship because of George’s understanding of Lennie’s condition, their loyalty and friendship to one another, and the fact that George knows he will get killed regardless. After being together for so many years, George knows Lennie like the back of his hand. He is the only one who understands Lennie’s strengths and weaknesses which is why he defends him many times in this novel. When George talks to the boss at a job interview he says “‘No he ain’t but he’s

One of the last things Lennie heard George say is ‘“Sure, right now. We gotta.”’ (106) Although Lennie thinks that George is talking to him about the future and what they will be doing, he is actually talking about how he has “gotta” kill him. Based on Curley’s reaction to his wife’s death, George knows that Lennie is bound to be punished heavily. He realizes that it would be best if he died quickly as opposed to dying painfully. (105) “George raised the gun and his hand shook, and he dropped his hand to the ground again.” He drops his hand because he is hesitant on killing his best friend even though it is out of empathy for him. As he gets enough courage, his hands shake as he fires the shot.

George’s understanding of Lennie’s condition, their loyalty and friendship to one another, and the fact that George knows he will get killed regardless clearly demonstrates why Lennie's death was an act of friendship. Sometimes things do not turn out the way you expect them to. People might seem like they want to hurt you when in reality, they are helping you for your own good. Finally, the story of George and Lennie demonstrates that friendship does not come easily and needs hard work in order to achieve