Of Mice and Men Paper

In John Steinbeck’s novel, “Of Mice and Men”, this ambiguous question arises on George’s decision. Did George make the right choice to kill Lenny at the end of the story? There are many reasons why George decided to kill Lennie in the end; however, if George does not take the responsibility to kill Lennie, he would die anyway. Since Lennie was young, he always struggled fitting in and socializing with others because of his disability. Consequently George kills Lennie because Lennie is George’s responsibility, Lennie is a danger to society, and George kills Lennie for selfish reasons. Therefore the decision that George made was the right thing to do.
First, it is George responsibility to take care of Lennie. When Lennie’s aunt dies, George makes a promise to Aunt Clara to take care of Lennie. “I told his old lady I’d take care of him.” (Steinbeck 22) George feel that he should take care of Lennie’s mess, therefore When Lennie makes bad decision, George protect him. Next, George didn’t want anyone else to kill Lennie, just like how Candy said he wished he could have shot his dog instead of someone else. George probably wouldn’t have been able to live with himself if he allowed someone to kill Lennie out of hate or maybe torture. George put Lennie in his “happy place before he dies unlike Curley who would’ve tortured Lennie. George just couldn't turn Lennie over to the police. For example what happen in weed and when Lennie break Curley’s hand but George didn’t. Also George kill because he knew that Lennie would not be able to handle being separated from him. As portrayed George Kills Lennie to protect him.
Second, George did kill Lennie for selfish Reasons, because Lennie always got in trouble. He got in trouble in weed.” ‘course he ain’t mean but he gets in trouble alla time because he’s so God damn dumb.” (Steinbeck 41)George kills Lennie for job security. He wants to be in no trouble and just work and get his pay” if I was alone I could live so easy. I could go get a job an’ work, an’ no trouble. No mess at all, and when the end of the month comes I could take my fifty bucks and go into town and get whatever I want.” (Steinbeck 11) And other selfish reason that pushes George to kill Lennie is that he wants freedom to do his own things to live by his own. George think life would be easy for him to live without Lennie. He said “if I was alone I could live so easy.” “I could get a job an’ not have no mess” (Steinbeck 103) with Lennie dead George can work now in peace without getting in trouble by Lennie and get that little place he was dreaming about.
Lastly, Lennie’s disability is dangerous for the society. Lennie is so strong “…But I say he’s God damn good worker. He can put up a four hundred pound bale.” (Steinbeck 22) Lennie is so strong and he kill thing accidently. He kills Curley’s wife by mistake and he break Culrey’s hand. Lennie is childlike he like to pet soft thing just like a child. He did not understand what a terrible thing that he did, he would have to answer for her death it isn't like the mice or the puppy that could just be replaced. Lennie forget things so quickly and George is the one is going to remind him everything every time. He forgot that he did not have the word He forgot things that George tells him. And George got to remind him all the time. “o you fort hat awready, did you? I gotta tell you again do I?” (Steinbeck 4) “I forgot… I tried not got forget honest to God I did, George.” (Steinbeck 4)
Overall there are many reasons why George decided to kill Lennie. It is George responsibility to take care of Lennie, Lennie’s disability is dangerous for the society, and George did kill Lennie for selfish Reasons. George knew what the future held for Lennie. He also knew that Lennie would never be able to understand what that entailed. Whatever the consequences of Lennie’s actions, George new his actions were the lesser of two evils. And the other would not understand that and there are going to kill him no matter what. So he had no choice. Therefore the decision that George made at the end of the novel was well made.