Lennie In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

Attempts to elude fate did not succeed for both mice and men die in the end. Although George exhibits selfless demeanor by teaching, showing the value, and protecting Lennie, this friendship ended with the Lennie’s death. In Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck describes Lennie’s naivete and irrationality which makes him extremely vulnerable to harm. He falls prey to impulsive farm owners and manipulative women who consider Lennie’s inabilities as malignant actions. Regardless of all the challenges Lennie initiates, George chooses to stand by him. George articulates and physically shows his protective nature towards his faithful companion throughout the book. Before George and Lennie’s arrival at Weed, trouble that Lennie causes keeps them in a harm’s way. After he allegedly raped a girl on the farm in Maine where they had been working, the fellow laborers search to kill Lennie and George hid in a gutter with him for Lennie’s safety.

When Curley heard about the murder, he was going to cage Lennie in jail and lynch him. George realizes this and does not want his friend to undergo the disgrace; he takes Lennie out of pain like Candy’s old dog to avoid future suffering. George carries through with his plan to kill his friend so Lennie does not face Curley’s wrath. The option of negotiating the consequences for the murder is not possible due to Curley’s aversion towards Lennie’s strength and towering size. Curly would certainly get dishonorable revenge for their previous fight. Finally, Lennie avoids various emotions by an earlier end to his life. George helps distract Lennie from the harsh consequences of reality by describing their ideal sanctuary in his last minutes. Lennie is eager about the future rather than repenting his actions. George takes a mental toll by killing his companion, but believes it is the correct