George and Lennie Relationship in Of Mice and Men
George and Lennie Relationship in Of Mice and Men
Academic level: Master’s
Essay type: Memoir
Size: 2 pages ~ (954 words)
One of the central themes of John Steinbeck’s novella Of Mice and Men is the importance of friendship and its unique power to enrich human lives in the face of hardship. The protagonists of the novella, George Milton and Lennie Small, could not be more different. However, the friendship between them and their shared dream of one day having their own farm are the strongest and most heartwarming parts of the story. George and Lennie’s relationship is different from most friendships in that it is somewhat unequal, yet it is the only truly loyal and caring relationship in the otherwise ruthless universe of Of Mice and Men.
The relationship between Lennie and George is built on mutual devotion and loyalty; they are the only characters in Of Mice and Men who are not really lonely. No one else in the novella has anyone to lean on. Candy, whom the reader first meets accompanied by an old dog, is forced to get rid of the dog, despite clearly not wanting to do so. Losing his pet is one of the reasons why he is so inspired by Lennie and George’s idea to have a ranch. Curley’s wife complains about being disappointed in her marriage to Curley and feels lonelier with him than she was without him. The same applies to every other character, except Lennie and George, who have each other.
Given the era depicted in Of Mice and Men, the lack of close bonds, save the relationship between George and Lennie, is symbolic. The characters are so focused on surviving the Great Depression that things like unconditional love and friendship are luxuries most of them cannot afford. The reader perceives the bond between George and Lennie as special because it is so different from other relationships in the novella, which are mostly transactional. It says a lot that George felt like he and Lennie had to lie about being cousins when they first arrived at the ranch. Friendships that close were not common, so claiming that the two were family meant avoiding extra attention and protecting Lennie.
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The relationship between the protagonists is far from being easy, largely due to Lennie’s disability paired with unbelievable physical strength, which causes multiple incidents throughout the novel. George repeatedly has to justify Lennie to others and explain that he does not mean to be violent; he simply cannot control his strength. Ultimately, at the end of Of Mice and Men, it is the reason behind the tragic finale. Moreover, Lennie’s love for petting “soft things” does not make things easier. It is the reason why George and Lennie have to leave the previous place they worked at: Lennie is falsely accused of rape for touching a woman’s dress without her consent. If it had not been for George, Lennie would likely have been prosecuted or lynched before the story depicted in Of Mice and Men even began.
In fact, George himself acknowledges that Lennie complicates his life. One of the very first scenes of the novella features Lennie petting a dead mouse, which he killed accidentally simply because he “liked touching soft things.” To an extent, this scene foreshadows the tragic end of the story. At the same time, this scene reveals the nature of the relationship between George and Lennie. Sometimes, George probably wishes that he did not have Lennie to take care of, and yet he also cherishes their relationship and would not trade it for anything.
Although the relationship between George and Lennie is often referred to as “friendship,” this is not the most accurate definition of their dynamic. Friendships tend to be mutual and balanced, built on shared understanding and equality. This is not the case between the protagonists of Of Mice and Men. George and Lennie are equally devoted to one another, but they are not equal. Due to Lennie’s disability, George often has to act as Lennie’s guardian and protector, the “adult one” in their relationship. If Lennie were to go (which is what happens at the end of the novella), George would be devastated, but he would manage to survive and build a life for himself. The opposite would not be possible. Lennie depends on George for guidance and safety; while George loves Lennie and needs him, he does not depend on him.
This imbalance of power between the two men complicates their relationship. George holds authority over Lennie, both intellectually and socially. He makes decisions, tells Lennie what to do, and sometimes speaks on his behalf. While this can seem domineering to the reader and makes George appear “tough” at times, it is also necessary for their survival. Intellectually, Lennie is a child: despite his nearly superhuman physical strength, he is too naive and vulnerable to be able to make it on his own. This adds to the complex dynamic between George and Lennie. George does genuinely love Lennie, and George’s life is fuller and more meaningful with Lennie in it. And yet, part of the reason why the two stay together for as long as they do is that George’s role is somewhat paternal; he is as much Lennie’s friend as he is his guardian.
Ultimately, the relationship between the protagonists of Of Mice and Men is the heart of the novella. It reminds the reader that even in the most vicious and hopeless environments, people can find meaning in each other. George and Lennie’s friendship is imperfect, unequal, and almost doomed from the start - but it is also real, and it is what gives the story its emotional power. Through George and Lennie, Steinbeck shows that to love and to lose is what it means to be human.
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