How Is George Justified In Of Mice And Men

“I ought to of shot that dog myself, George. I shouldn't ought to of let no stranger shoot my dog.” (Steinbeck 61) Of Mice and Men, written by John Steinbeck, is the story of two men, their travels, friendship, and troubles. The two main characters, George and Lennie, travel to California for a new job on a farm after being coerced to leave their old town. They had to leave their old place of work because Lennie, who is mentally unstable, was chased by a mob after being accused of attacking a woman. At their their new job, Lennie got into more trouble when he ended up killing the owner’s daughter-in-law. Men were hunting him to compensate for the wrong he had done. George, knowing that his friend was about to be murdered, decided that he should do it himself instead of letting a meaningless person do it. Even though it is certainly wrong to murder, George was justified in doing so because he wants to protect Lennie and loves him, he knew that he would be punished, and he did not want anyone else to harm him.
Even though he did not have to, George looked after and took care of Lennie. Lennie was an affable man, however, he could also be quite burdensome.

On many accounts, George states that his life would be much easier if Lennie were not around. Not only did he say this, but he also said demeaning comments to and about Lennie. For example George says, “... if I was alone I could live so easy.” (Steinbeck 11) However, there are many instances which show just how much George loves Lennie. One being when he gave an intimation that he did not want Lennie to leave after he offered to go. ‘“George,...I should go away and leave you alone?’...‘I been mean, ain’t I?...I was jus’ foolin’...I want you to stay with me,’ says George.” (Steinbeck 12) Even though he killed the closest person in his life, he would have died in a traumatic way, had George let anyone else get to