Of Mice And Men: Lennie Character Analysis

What is right and what must be done are two different concepts. Often times, life requires people to do what must be done in order to save themselves, or others, from negative consequences. The characters in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men illustrate how people implement remorseful decisions with astute intentions to help ease the consequences for those they care about. Lennie is a sizable, amicable guy. Although Lennie loves mice, he is inept at handling feeble creatures. George notices the mouse and addresses it by saying that: “‘That mouse ain’t fresh, Lennie...you’ve broke it pettin’ it’” (Steinbeck 9). The euphemism that George uses for death suggests that the mouse’ death was not intentional, nor sadistic. Lennie roots his intentions in kindness, but his strength overpowers this emotion. George prohibits Lennie from petting mice, making Lennie sad.
While Lennie killing mice is a bad thing, Carlson killing Candy’s dog is actually isn’t. Carlson shoots Candy’s beloved dog to stop it from enduring any more suffering. Carlson recognizes the love that Candy feels for his dog, and lets Candy know that the way he would shoot him: “‘...He wouldn’t feel nothing...He wouldn’t even quiver’” (Steinbeck 45). Candy’s acquiescence to this act is not one of cruelty

This conclusion cannot be drawn directly, but George’s words during Lennie’s final moments imply that George did not kill his best friend for malicious reasons. George lets Lennie know that he’s “‘... never been mad, an’ I ain’t now. That’s a thing I want ya to know’” (Steinbeck 106). After all the anger that George has shown towards Lennie, he utters these words now so Lennie can die with a sense of peace. George does not want to pull the trigger, but he knows that the further consequences of Lennie’s actions will only worsen. To save Lennie from Curley’s wrath, possible imprisonment, and perhaps years of suffering, George takes Lennie’s