“Power is always dangerous. Power attracts the worst and corrupts the best.” This quotation, by author Edward Abbey, defines power as an incredibly controlling tool, which is a major theme in the novella, Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. This story takes place on a small ranch in California in the 1930s during the Great Depression. Lennie and George, the two protagonists, are migrant workers who have left their old job and are now working at a ranch.
George has many strengths, however probably his greatest strength is his brain. He always knows what to say and what not to say, however Lennie doesn’t so George always finds himself having to help Lennie out of a situation. George tries to stay on everybody's good side as to keep Lennie and him out of trouble. ” In a panic, Lennie looked at George for help. “He can do anything you tell him,” said George.”
In the novel Of Mice & Men, by John Steinbeck, Lennie and George’s relationship is not the most quintessential friendship. Though in the first part of the story it is not said that Lennie has any social disabilities, you can pick up the characteristic. George has a way with words, which affects Lennieーbut only within that moment. Steinbeck portrays both these characters very vividly; although he does not just flat out make a list describing each man, he shows each personality and relationship they hold.
George and Lennie’s Complex Relationship Since Lennie has a mental disability, it is hard for George to keep Lennie out of trouble in a various number of situations. George gets frustrated with Lennie several times in the novel, and it is hard for George to stay by Lennie’s side at some points. Lennie and George face several issues, and it continues in the book Of Mice and Men. Even though Lennie and George’s friendship has its problems, there are still benefits of having a friend. Lennie’s mental disability isn’t as dangerous when George is around.
Tapanga Borkosky Mrs. Tardibuono Lit 10, 5b/c Sept. 20, 2016 Of Mice and Men In 1937, John Steinbeck wrote a book called Of Mice and Men. The book was about two friends, Lennie Small and George Milton. George and Lennie traveled with each other to different places in California. Lennie relies on George for almost everything, and George slowly get sick of it.
While you read the back cover of the book Of Mice and Men and reading the descriptions of the characters you are probably thinking, why in the world would a tough and tall man like Lennie stick with such a little man like George? Well while you read the book, Steinbeck shows us through Lennie’s actions that he isn’t the brightest man alive, he is almost like a ginormous teddy bear, he loves to pet animals and he never does anything mean on purpose. But those characteristics get him into serious trouble. But George on the other hand, he is more of the tough one. He helps Lennie not get into trouble and when Lennie does he helps him get out of it
The Friendship of George George is a hard working man who relies on mental acuity to get the job. He has a natural leader feel to him because he commands all of the people around him. George is described as small man with dark undertones and strong and slender physical features. Despite his dark facial features, George is a man with a caring attitude and helps whoever needs him. George’s best friend is Lennie depends on him to know what to do and tell him what to do.
The people who succeed most in life are the ones who have realistic dreams and goals. In Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, Lennie and George have a dream to own a farm and live of the fat of the land. To fulfill this dream, Lennie and George need to work to get the money they need to purchase the farm. However, Lennie struggles with touching soft things, killing anything that gives him tactile pleasure. Every time he makes a mistakes, he counts on George to get him out of it.
George’s character does not really change during the book. However, the reader’s opinion of him starts to view him as a loving, caring figure. This change of opinion is the result of more of his character being revealed. At the start of the book he just seems like an everyday person looking for work. However, his relationship with Lennie shows a warm, brother-like character.
Lennie cannot change his mental disability nor can Crooks change his race, but due to these inalterable characteristics, Lennie hurts others unintentionally, and Crooks is hurt by others. “Naturalism does not deal primarily with individuals in themselves, but rather with social groups, settings, or movements…”( ), which relates to the story, because Lennie’s actions not only affect him and his future, but the other characters in the book. In Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck, the concept of naturalism is portrayed through the experiences of Lennie, Curley’s wife, and Crooks. Lennie’s mental disability and physical strength often lead to trouble, because he can never fully comprehend his actions. When Lennie is the barn, he ends up