Of Mice And Men Relationship Between George And Lennie Friendship

“Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but you want someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down.” Oprah Winfrey, an American talk show host, elucidates the importance of having friends who will continue to support an individual through all situations and not only during the desirable times. John Steinbeck, the author of Of Mice and Men, reveals the significance of having a friend to guide a person throughout life until the end. George Milton travels with his companion Lennie Small during the Great Depression in California on a constant run from self-caused problems. Lennie’s cognitive impairments cause him to innocently induce problems; however, George continues to guide him to safety and still supports Lennie.

After they escape from Weed, their previous job, George and Lennie camp out before heading to their new ranch. Lennie expresses his hunger to George and he allows him to grab some beans to share. Preferably Lennie asks for ketchup with his beans and George explodes on Lennie that they do not have ketchup and how easy his life would be without Lennie. He takes this information and explains how he will leave to not be a burden on him. George knows Lennie would be unable to live alone and shoots the offer down by talking about how angry Lennie’s Aunt Clara would be if he left him alone. To try and force understanding in his brain George says, ‘“Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world. They got no family. They don't belong no place… [and t]hey ain’t got nothing to look ahead to”’ (Steinbeck 13). George and Lennie form a rare bond like no other migrant worker has. When times get hard they can rely on each other for companionship. George knows he will not survive so he reassures Lennie to stay with him instead. They talk about how migrant workers like them do not form relationships with each other. When Lennie asks about them in the situation he says ‘“With us it ain’t like that… [w]e got somebody to talk to that gives a damn about us… them other guys gets in jail they can rot for anyone gives a damn”’ (Steinbeck 14) and Lennie adds “But not us!... because I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you”’ (Steinbeck 14). The two of them have each other no matter the situation. The other workers at the ranch do not have families near to care about them nor do they have friendships; however, George and Lennie have a strong friendship. He willingly escapes with Lennie when he finds himself in trouble. Therefore, the two share an unbreakable bond that comes in handy when they undergo a