Character Analysis: O & M Modified Ending '

After Lennie has inadvertently murdered Curley’s wife, Curley’s lynch mob go out in search of Lennie. George’s decision is almost inevitable to spare Lennie’s life, rather than let Curley and his gang destroy the bit of life Lennie has.

"No," said George. "No, Lennie, I ain't mad. I never been mad, and I ain' now.

Curley refuses to let her talk to anyone on the ranch, isolating her from everyone and setting the stage for trouble. This trouble happens in Section 3, where he accuses Slim of being with his wife and is completely wrong. He is ganged up on by the ranch workers, and picks on Lennie in order to vent his anger at being picked on. This turns out to be a mistake. Lennie quickly crushes his hand, and Curley has to be taken to the hospital. Luckily for George and Lennie, Slim comes to there aid, telling Curley “your hand got caught in a machine”.

George’s tone is accusatory which shows that he is astute. He then continues to bombard Lennie with questions, which gives Lennie the chance to demonstrate another type of power – his cunning. He attempts to deceive George.

George saved Lennie by shooting him with a gun in the back of the head. It was fast and painless, but Curley had other plans for Lennie, “We oughtta let ‘im get away. You don’t know that Curley. Curley gont’ta wanta get him lynched. Curley’ll get ‘im killed”( Steinbeck 94). Candy knows that Curely will lynch Lennie if he finds him. George knew he had to find Lennie before Curley. George decided to shoot Lennie because he knew Lennie would have either been locked up in jail his entire life, or have been beaten up and lynched by Curley. After George shoots Lennie, Slim reassures George that he did the right thing, “You hadda, George. I swear you hadda”(Steinbeck 107). George needed Slim to let him know that it was the right thing to do. Slim gave George closure, because George was in awe. George realized he did the right thing after he followed Slim out of the

“Lennie was in a panic. His face was contorted. She screamed then, and Lennie's other hand closed over her mouth and nose. "Please don't," he begged. "Oh! Please don't do that. George'll be mad." … "I don't want you to yell. You gonna get me in trouble jus' like George says you will. Now don't you do that." And she

“And George raised the gun and steadied it, and he brought the muzzle of it close to the back of Lennie's head. The hand shook violently, but his face set and his hand steadied. He pulled the trigger. The

This picture he described was of a farm which was a common dream they shared. Lennie always looked forward to tending the rabbits because he had an obsession for petting small fury things. Upon hearing this, Lennie must have had pleasant thoughts in his last moments. Moreover, the place that George shot Lennie was at the back of his head to avoid him for fearing his death and to make sure the process was

get Curley but his eyes slipped on past and saw Lennie, Curley got into a fight with

Lennie is unaware of his own strength, and accidentally kills Curley’s wife, which causes George to weigh Lennie’s options. He decides that killing Lennie would be the best option, and, after delivering the killing bullet, Carlson asks George how he does it. George stiffly sits on the bank, and his “voice was almost a whisper. He looked steadily at this right hand that had held the gun” (107). The fact that George acts very calm and quiet indicates that he is in deep shock. The trauma from killing Lennie really deals a blow to George’s energy. George himself would be happy if his friend did not have to die, but he is completely aware of how it is the option that is best for Lennie. Shooting Lennie causes George to experience deep sorrow, anxiety, and anguish. He feels emotionally drained and tired, which he could avoid by just leaving Lennie alive, but he sacrifices his own emotional health to benefit Lennie. If Lennie was not George’s good friend, George would not invest so much of his own happiness. Friends not only have to deal with their own problems, but also have to sacrifice more energy by managing their friends’ as

I found Lennie playin’ with his pup in the last stall in the barn. It was dead when I got there. He probably crushed it just like he did with Curley’s hand. They must think I’m stupid or somethin’-obviously it was Lennie who crushed ‘is hand. Lennie’s too strong for his own good. For some reason, George doesn’t want me to talk to Lennie. Well, I don’t think I’m any harm

I know Lennie ain’t a bad guy, just different.” They both go back into the house to talk to Lennie. Lennie and Candy sit on the bed talking about the dream place with the rabbits. George and Slim come walking in. Lennie said, “Is everything alright George?”

would then have to try to get Lennie out of the current predicament. This sort

"No," said George. "No, Lennie, I ain't mad. I never been mad, and I ain' now.

When Lennie is left unattended, he accidentally takes the life of a friend and the plans of the men go awry. George is forced to kill his best friend in order to protect him from the road that lies ahead. George’s action was for the better because Lennie would have been tortured, he is a danger to society, and he is a burden to George. To begin with, George’s reaction is best for Lennie because Curley and his crew would torture him or he will be locked up forever. After finding out about the murder of his wife, Curley