Lennie needs George more than George needs Lennie.
Both Lennie and George would be nothing without each other. Steinbeck clearly shows how important friends are and how they can support and help you in a number of different ways. Lennie needs George for basic survival and without him, Lennie’s life would not be very long. George on the other hand, needs Lennie for a purpose in life. The conclusion of the novel Of Mice and Men illustrates what life would be like for George and Lennie without the other.
Lennie is mentally disabled and so always ‘does bad things’, because of this, he constantly depends on George to protect him and get him out of trouble. For example, in Weed, Lennie constantly ‘wants to touch ever’thing he sees’ and this causes him to rip a girl’s dress. Soon, Lennie is accused of rape and only with the help of George is he able to escape imprisonment or maybe even death. Lennie also requires George for simple day to day needs. George helps to keep Lennie in good health, making sure that what he eats and drinks are safe and clean, ‘Lennie for God’ sakes don’t drink so much, I ain’t sure tha’s clean water’. In their relationship, George does almost all the talking to other people as Lennie never really understands what is going on and is not very smart. This is shown when George and Lennie are talking to the boss and George tells Lennie to ‘not say a word’. Without George, Lennie would never have any employment and would not live long. Lastly, George is there for Lennie as a friend and companion. George begins to spend time with him because of a promise to Aunt Clara but a friendship soon grows from that. We know that George really does care for Lennie as in the conclusion of the novel, George confesses that ‘I ain’t angry, I never been angry’ which tells the readers that George didn’t look after him out of guilt or a promise, but that he actually did like him.
As George gives Lennie company, Lennie also gives George company.