Analysis Of Sacrifice In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

As the 14th Dalai Lama wrote in his book Beyond Religion: Ethics for a Whole World, ¨Recognizing our shared humanity and our biological nature as beings whose happiness is dependent on others, we learn to open our hearts, and in doing so we gain a sense of purpose and connection with those around us¨ (H.H. Dalai Lama 73). Thus, when one performs an act that opens his heart and connects him to the world around him, he is sharing his humanity. People must understand the necessity of shared humanity in their lives because the aspects it encompasses are what distinguish them as human beings. In Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck demonstrates the validity of humans being able to share their humanity through love and sacrifice.

Steinbeck demonstrates how humans can share their love
In the story, George makes an effort to find Lennie before the rest of the farmhands because he wants Lennie to die peacefully. Readers can see this when George says to Lennie, ¨Ever’body gonna be nice to you. Ain’t gonna be no more trouble. Nobody gonna hurt nobody nor steal from ’em …. No, Lennie. I ain't mad. I never been mad, an’ I ain’t now. That’s a thing I want ya to know” (Steinbeck 106). George understands that a confrontation between the farmhands and Lennie would only result in a painful ending to Lennie’s life. Thus, George ends Lennie’s life out of sacrifice, because he sacrifices his friendship with Lennie to ensure Lennie’s well-being. In doing so, George shares his humanity with Lennie because he places Lennie’s well-being over his own desire for friendship. Therefore, Steinbeck shows how sacrifice is important when sharing humanity because he demonstrates how humans can deem someone else’s needs more worthy than their