Why Is George Important In Of Mice And Men

“We got somebody to talk to that gives a damn about us. We don’t have to sit in no bar room blowin’ in our jack jus’ because we go no place else to go. If them other guys gets in jail they can rot for all anybody gives a damn. But not us.”(14) Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck is a novel about two men, George and Lennie, who are looking for work so they can make a stake and build their dream home and live out their lives in happiness. Lennie might not be the smartest man alive but he is the main reason for the success of both him and George. Not because of his physical ability alone, but because he helps George achieve his full potential. Lennie and George have traveled together for many years taking care of each other and watch each others
backs. When they were younger, Lennie’s Aunt Clara asked George to take care of Lennie because Lennie couldn’t take care of himself. George was a smart man before he took Lennie in, but with Lennie around, George began to feel smarter. Lennie is so incoherent that George turns from being a smart man to a very smart man, mainly due to the fact that George just feels smarter around Lennie. “Oh! I ain’t saying he’s bright. He ain’t. But I say he’s a God damn good worker. He can put up a four hundred pound bale.”(22) This is just one of the many times George bashes Lennie for not being smart. He doesn’t let Lennie talk because he is afraid that Lennie will mess up and get them fired like he usually does. Even though Lennie screws up some times, he still is the reason for George’s success. If George didn’t have Lennie, he would be a loner and he wouldn’t have the comfort of having a partner to talk to. “He’s my…cousin. I told his old lady I’d take care of him. He got kicked in the head by a horse when he was a kid. He’s awright. Just ain’t bright. But he can do anything you tell him.”(22) This is another example of how George looks after Lennie. To make sure they got the job, George lied about their relationship so Lennie wouldn’t have to talk. Lennie and George work incredibly well together because Lennie helps George realize his strengths and weaknesses. “Sure,” said George.
“I seen plenty tough little guys. But this Curley better not make no mistakes about Lennie. Lennie ain’t handy, but this Curley punk is gonna get hurt if he messes around with Lennie.”(26) George explains that Lennie and himself are not to be trifled with. George isn’t the strongest guy so he can’t fight the physical battles himself so he needs Lennie to help him. George needs Lennie for his physical prowess, also just so George can feel like someone depends on him. Although George might seem like he hates Lennie, he enjoys being around him and he would be devastated if anything bad happened to Lennie. “…He Damn near drowned before we could get him. An’ he was so damn nice to me for pullin’ him out. Clean forgot I told him to jump in. Well, I ain’t done nothing like that no more.” (40) George could persuade Lennie to do anything he wanted and Lennie would do it without a second thought. But George wouldn’t let Lennie die because he actually enjoys having Lennie around. He keeps him company and helps him feel superior and
smart. Lennie helps George more than with just his physical strength.
George needs Lennie to keep his dream alive and to stay away from the lone rancher group. He confesses to Slim, “I seen the guys that go around on the ranches alone. That ain’t no good They don’t have no fun. After a long time they get mean. They get wantin’ to fight all the time.”(41) George doesn’t want to be that kind of rancher, he wants to have a good time while working toward his dream. Lennie is there to help George succeed at his dream, which has now become Lennie’s dream. Lennie is George’s stress reliever, whenever George gets upset about something, which is usually Lennie, he uses Lennie as a punching bag. Lennie doesn’t fight back because he is too dumb and he doesn’t want George to leave him alone. “I’ve beat the hell outa him, and he coulda bust every bone in my body jus’ with his han’s, but he never lifted a finger against me.”(40) Although George is angry at Lennie a majority of the time, George can’t stay mad at him because Lennie is his only friend and he needs him. Without Lennie, George’s dream can’t come true and he will wind up being a lonely ranch hand that has no
purpose. In conclusion, although though Lennie has many flaws, he is the reason for the success that both he and George have. By being an idiot, he helps George feel smarter and by doing so, George creates a dream to live with Lennie and be happy for the rest of his life. Lennie helps point out George’s flaws and George than corrects them and makes up for them with his intelligence. Even though someone might not seem like the most helpful or intelligent, they can still be a great help.