The Importance Of Names In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

Names are typically viewed an important trait and help to discern individuality; they are considered such a basic right that names are given to animals. For someone to not have a name must truly make them subhuman. Curley’s wife is never called by name, not for lack of importance, but for lack of humanity. In fact, she is referred to as if she belongs to Curley; she is his possession, his property, not human. In addition, Steinbeck has never been fond of women, constantly relating them to Eve and sin in an otherwise perfect world. Another humanity-defining trait is aspiration, “I tell you I ain't used to livin' like this. I coulda made somethin' of myself… Maybe I will yet. And then her words tumbled out in a passion of communication, as though
Scrupulously, murder is wrong, however when George kills Lennie it is the lesser of many evils. George can not help the giant run away again and risk him killing again, yet he refuses to subject Lennie to the torture that Curley would impose or the horrors jail time, which Lennie would not be capable of comprehending. There is no malice or hidden motive in the killing: “I thought you was mad at me, George” said Lennie. “No, said George. No Lennie I ain’t never been mad at you, an’ I ain’t now. That’s a thing I want ya to know. The voices came close now. George raised the gun and listened to the voices. Lennie begged, Le’s do it now. Le’s get that place now” “Sure, right now. I gotta. We gotta” (106). George knows that there is no other option for Lennie; he kills out of necessity and kindness, unwilling to let his best friend suffer. If George were subhuman he would be relieved that he has much less responsibility now, he can spend his money how he wants, he does not have to worry as much, and he can get a better job. However, George straddles the moral line as it was his obligation to make sure Lennie was not hurt. The only character that is human, or possibly greater, is Slim. His wisdom and positive attributes contribute greatly to his godlike nature. Slim is the only one in the group of men who does not congratulate George for killing his best friend. Furthermore he is the only one who sees through George’s lie and knows what George did for Lennie: “You hadda, George. I swear you hadda” (107). Slim empathizes and sympathizes with George because he knows what George had to go