Of Mice And Men Euthanasia Analysis
Euthanasia is a serious issue, but is what George did to Lennie considered as euthanasia? The character Lennie from John Steinbeck book “Of Mice and Men” had been suffering from a developmental delay for all of his life and this eventually led to him murdering a woman and several animals.When Lennie tried to run he found himself cornered on a mountain top over a river. Another one of Steinbeck's characters, Lennie's best friend George, had to choose between killing Lennie himself or letting the others get to him and torture him to a much more painful death. George had decided to shoot Lennie in the back of the head so he can die more peaceful, painless death while imagining what his dream had been for most of his life. Both Lennie and George had dreamed of owning their own farm and getting rabbits so
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“And then from out of Lennie’s head there came a little fat woman.” (Steinbeck Chapter 6). This quote shows that Lennie had begun to hallucinate about his past which is a sign of a mental struggle. Even before the hallucination had started Lennie had killed one woman and many animals, which no mentally sane person would have done.”I tried Aunt Clara, Ma’am. I tried and tried. I couldn’t help it.” (Steinbeck Chapter 6). Lennie doesn't even consider the fact that he’s talking to his deceased aunt who came from nowhere. This is mostly because of Lennie’s developmental delay which does not let him think like an adult but instead like a young child.
Most people do not believe that what George did was not considered euthanasia. The reason they say this is because Lennie was not physically sick or hurt when he was shot on top of that hill. In my opinion I believe that since Lennie was technically suffering mentally it still counts as him suffering physically. Also since Lennie had physically hurt others in the past, so it is most likely he will do it again in the
“And then from out of Lennie’s head there came a little fat woman.” (Steinbeck Chapter 6). This quote shows that Lennie had begun to hallucinate about his past which is a sign of a mental struggle. Even before the hallucination had started Lennie had killed one woman and many animals, which no mentally sane person would have done.”I tried Aunt Clara, Ma’am. I tried and tried. I couldn’t help it.” (Steinbeck Chapter 6). Lennie doesn't even consider the fact that he’s talking to his deceased aunt who came from nowhere. This is mostly because of Lennie’s developmental delay which does not let him think like an adult but instead like a young child.
Most people do not believe that what George did was not considered euthanasia. The reason they say this is because Lennie was not physically sick or hurt when he was shot on top of that hill. In my opinion I believe that since Lennie was technically suffering mentally it still counts as him suffering physically. Also since Lennie had physically hurt others in the past, so it is most likely he will do it again in the