Of Mice And Men Lennie's Trouble

George, the Everyman, is pierced by companionship’s double-edged sword because of Lennie’s infamous actions that have led to the pair’s constant look for work and vulnerability to plights that wouldn’t affect the average man. Steinbeck illustrates the trouble Lennie has caused numerous times throughout the novel, but George’s true feelings about the situation are most accurately portrayed in the beginning of the novel. George tells Lennie, “ ‘God a’mighty, if I was alone I could live so easy… You can’t keep a job and you lose me ever’ job I get’ ” (Steinbeck 11). While George fixes up beans for dinner, he explodes and grieves about all the trouble Lennie has caused when Lennie asks for ketchup. This outburst reveals that Lennie is mentally
handicapped, and that he is vulnerable when faced with a stressful situation This conversation also reveals the heavy tension between the pair, and the amount of trouble Lennie has caused is something an Everyman should not have to manage. While George’s choice as a companion is shoddy, it reveals humanity’s vulnerability to loneliness; even though Lennie is subpar, George would rather have him around than roam around the country looking for work by his lonesome.