Friendship In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men
The Importance of Friendship in Of Mice and Men Politician, Hubert Humphrey once said, “The greatest gift of life is friendship, and I have received it”. Friendship is a very important aspect of life. Friendship gives the opportunity to escape from loneliness, to have someone be there in a time of need, to give support when mistakes are made, and allow an escape from reality when you’re feeling blue (Whitbourne). In the novel Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck uses characterization and conflict to help develop the theme that friendship is one of the most important aspects to live life to the fullest extent. John Steinbeck uses many examples of characterization to show how friends care greatly for one another. When Lennie and George are walking
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through the hot land of California, “His huge companion dropped his blankets and flung himself down and drank from the surface of the green pool ... ‘Lennie for God sakes don’t drink so much.’ Lennie continued to snort into the pool. The small man leaned over and shook him by the shoulder. ‘Lennie. You gonna be sick like you was last night” (3). George’s actions reveal that he values Lennie’s friendship and his health. George reminds Lennie numerous times to stop drinking the water or he was going to get sick again. John Steinbeck reveals George’s characterization very quickly through speaking, showing that he is a very caring person. When Lennie and George continued walking along the Salinas River, “His hands went quickly into his side coat pockets. He said gently, ‘George ... I ain’t got mine. I musta lost it!’ He looked down at the ground in despair. ‘You never had none you crazy bastard. I got both of ‘em here. Think I’d let you carry your own work card?” (5). Lennie’s actions reveal that he is very forgetful because of his mental disability and he relies greatly on George. Without George’s friendship, Lennie would not be in the same place that he was. Also, George’s actions reveal that he is the kind of person that is very prepared and plans ahead of time. George took in account in remembering not only his work card, but also Lennie’s. Before Lennie was shot, “George was quiet for a moment. ‘But not us,’ he said. ‘Because I got you an’-’ ‘An’ I got you. We got each other, that’s what, that gives a hoot in hell about us’ Lennie cried in triumph” (104). These actions reveal how the characterization between George and Lennie changed. At the beginning of the novel, George and Lennie cared for one another to a certain extent, but not as much as they did in the end. Over time, their fondness for one another grew stronger and it made them realize that their friendship was what made them unique from all the other men. John Steinbeck uses many examples of conflict to show the importance of friendship and how friends will sacrifice for one another.
When Lennie and George are walking along the Salinas River to get to the ranch, “Lennie’s lip quivered and tears started in his eyes. Aw, Lennie!’ George put his hand on Lennie’s shoulder. ‘I ain’t takin’ it away jus’ for meanness. That mouse ain’t fresh, Lennie; and besides, you’ve broke it pettin’ it. You get another mouse that’s fresh and I’ll let you keep it a little while” (9). Lennie’s actions show how his mental disability really stands out which creates a recurring conflict throughout the novel. When George throws the mouse out of Lennie’s reach, he sacrifices himself towards Lennie. George knows Lennie will be upset with him that he took away the mouse, but George had to because the mouse was not fresh. It also made Lennie look almost the complete opposite of being “normal”. As Lennie and George were introduced to the boss, “The boss turned on George. ‘Then why don't you just let him answer? What are you trying to put over? ... What stake you got in this guy? You takin’ his pay away from him?” (22). The actions of the boss reveal a conflict between him and George. The boss quickly gets suspicious that Lennie and George are so close which poses a conflict between these characters. The boss was suspicious because friendship was quite uncommon during this time, men usually never traveled together. The actions of George reveal how he
sacrificed himself and responded to the boss for Lennie, so the boss didn’t get suspicious that Lennie had a mental disability. When Curley is about to fight Lennie, “Lennie’s eyes were frightened. ‘I don’t want no trouble,’ he said plaintively. ‘Don’t let him sock me, George.’ ... ‘if he tangles with you, Lennie, we’re gonna get the can” (29). The idea that Curley desires to fight Lennie reveals that there is conflict and tension between the two of them, Curley claims he doesn’t “like big guys” like Lennie. George’s actions show that George is willing to sacrifice his job and stake for Lennie’s safety. George doesn’t want Lennie to get hurt nor feel threatened, so he agreed they could leave if it came down to it. Throughout the novel, George sacrificed a lot of things for Lennie’s well being and safety. In the novel Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck uses many examples of literary devices, such as conflict and characterization to reveal the impact friendship has on one’s life and how friendship can influence life in a positive way. In Of Mice and Men, the friendship of George and Lennie is crucial to their survival; they would be lost without each other. Friends are an important part of life, never let them go!
through the hot land of California, “His huge companion dropped his blankets and flung himself down and drank from the surface of the green pool ... ‘Lennie for God sakes don’t drink so much.’ Lennie continued to snort into the pool. The small man leaned over and shook him by the shoulder. ‘Lennie. You gonna be sick like you was last night” (3). George’s actions reveal that he values Lennie’s friendship and his health. George reminds Lennie numerous times to stop drinking the water or he was going to get sick again. John Steinbeck reveals George’s characterization very quickly through speaking, showing that he is a very caring person. When Lennie and George continued walking along the Salinas River, “His hands went quickly into his side coat pockets. He said gently, ‘George ... I ain’t got mine. I musta lost it!’ He looked down at the ground in despair. ‘You never had none you crazy bastard. I got both of ‘em here. Think I’d let you carry your own work card?” (5). Lennie’s actions reveal that he is very forgetful because of his mental disability and he relies greatly on George. Without George’s friendship, Lennie would not be in the same place that he was. Also, George’s actions reveal that he is the kind of person that is very prepared and plans ahead of time. George took in account in remembering not only his work card, but also Lennie’s. Before Lennie was shot, “George was quiet for a moment. ‘But not us,’ he said. ‘Because I got you an’-’ ‘An’ I got you. We got each other, that’s what, that gives a hoot in hell about us’ Lennie cried in triumph” (104). These actions reveal how the characterization between George and Lennie changed. At the beginning of the novel, George and Lennie cared for one another to a certain extent, but not as much as they did in the end. Over time, their fondness for one another grew stronger and it made them realize that their friendship was what made them unique from all the other men. John Steinbeck uses many examples of conflict to show the importance of friendship and how friends will sacrifice for one another.
When Lennie and George are walking along the Salinas River to get to the ranch, “Lennie’s lip quivered and tears started in his eyes. Aw, Lennie!’ George put his hand on Lennie’s shoulder. ‘I ain’t takin’ it away jus’ for meanness. That mouse ain’t fresh, Lennie; and besides, you’ve broke it pettin’ it. You get another mouse that’s fresh and I’ll let you keep it a little while” (9). Lennie’s actions show how his mental disability really stands out which creates a recurring conflict throughout the novel. When George throws the mouse out of Lennie’s reach, he sacrifices himself towards Lennie. George knows Lennie will be upset with him that he took away the mouse, but George had to because the mouse was not fresh. It also made Lennie look almost the complete opposite of being “normal”. As Lennie and George were introduced to the boss, “The boss turned on George. ‘Then why don't you just let him answer? What are you trying to put over? ... What stake you got in this guy? You takin’ his pay away from him?” (22). The actions of the boss reveal a conflict between him and George. The boss quickly gets suspicious that Lennie and George are so close which poses a conflict between these characters. The boss was suspicious because friendship was quite uncommon during this time, men usually never traveled together. The actions of George reveal how he
sacrificed himself and responded to the boss for Lennie, so the boss didn’t get suspicious that Lennie had a mental disability. When Curley is about to fight Lennie, “Lennie’s eyes were frightened. ‘I don’t want no trouble,’ he said plaintively. ‘Don’t let him sock me, George.’ ... ‘if he tangles with you, Lennie, we’re gonna get the can” (29). The idea that Curley desires to fight Lennie reveals that there is conflict and tension between the two of them, Curley claims he doesn’t “like big guys” like Lennie. George’s actions show that George is willing to sacrifice his job and stake for Lennie’s safety. George doesn’t want Lennie to get hurt nor feel threatened, so he agreed they could leave if it came down to it. Throughout the novel, George sacrificed a lot of things for Lennie’s well being and safety. In the novel Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck uses many examples of literary devices, such as conflict and characterization to reveal the impact friendship has on one’s life and how friendship can influence life in a positive way. In Of Mice and Men, the friendship of George and Lennie is crucial to their survival; they would be lost without each other. Friends are an important part of life, never let them go!