Of Mice and Men

Of Mice and Men In the book, Of Mice and Men, taken place in the late 1930’s, a worker was asked to take care of his boss’ mentally challenged nephew before she died. They both then become migrant workers and both have the dream of owning land and raising animals; but what happens when their chances get ruined by the nephew’s actions? John Steinbeck, the author of the book, illustrates that the worker, George and the mentally challenged nephew, Lennie’s relationship is both an obligation and a friendship. “God a ’mighty, if I was alone I could live so easy. I could get a job an’ work an’ no trouble… an’ whatta I got,’ George went on furiously. ‘I got you! You can’t keep a job an’ you lose me ever’ job I get. Just keep me shovin’ all over the country all the time. An’ that aint the worst. You get in trouble. You do bad things and I got to get you out.” (11) This presents that George has grown sick and tired of always having to take care of Lennie. George is being bothered about how Lennie is always ruining the jobs they both receive, and having to travel to another country to find a new one. George is also ranting about how life would be so easy without Lennie. Although George had his moments where he wanted nothing to do with Lennie, he also loves Lennie as best friend. “With us it aint like that. We got a future. We got somebody to talk to that gives a damn about us. We don’t have to sit in no bar room blowin’ jus’ because we got no place to go. If them other guys gets in Jail they can rot for all anybody gives a damn. But not us.’ Lennie broke in. ‘But not us! An’ why? Because… Because I got you to look after me and you got me to look after you, that’s why.’ He laughed delightedly. ‘Go on now George” (18) This quote is talking about how George and Lennie both have a future together and they don’t need to worry about one or the other being alone because they both have each other. This quote personifies that George and Lennie both care about each other