Defined as a close relationship between two organisms of different kinds (Dictionary, Collins English.), symbiosis is the perfect concept to construe the brotherly bond between George Milton and Lennie Small in “Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck, as both men aid one another physically and emotionally in the pursuit of their dream. Nevertheless, there remains a negative outlook on the term “symbiosis”. Overlooked often is the fact that it also can be defined as detrimental to one organism, while the other prospers, and this fact can be further used to highlight the men’s symbiotic relationship. Juxtaposing this is the infamous duo featured in Truman Capote’s acclaimed novel, “In Cold Blood, Richard "Dick" Hickock and Perry Smith. Epitomizing …show more content…
This quotation from the author himself is adept at summarizing the emotional symbiosis between Lennie and George. Both prosper, as the two men undoubtedly contribute to a healthy relationship emotionally. Lennie continuously supports George and repeats their wish to “live off the fatta the lan’” (16), maintaining George’s determination, willpower and overall hard work to succeed, so, strictly speaking, George evidently benefits emotionally. Repetition of this dream throughout the novel allows both men a consistent, positive outlook on life, despite the negative, depression-era context of the novel, where the world preys on the weak (such as Lennie). Nevertheless, as displayed in the opening scene at the pool, the readers apprehend as to just how benign Milton is to Small emotionally. Viewed as a paternal figure, George exemplifies the authority and guidance his companion requires; “Lennie!” he said sharply. “Lennie, for God’ sakes don’t drink so much.” (5) Without the leadership and emotional navigation provided, Lennie’s emotional stronghold would be nonexistent, and the damage that could be caused would be furthermore detrimental. Undeniably, this example exhibits the effectiveness of their emotional reliance on each other, as in strenuous times, the men end up with a more tenacious affiliation. With regards to the …show more content…
1973). Unfortunately, the alternative version of symbiosis transpires, and proves beneficial to Lennie but detrimental to George. In spite of the subconscious universal laws that are discernable, such as the strong prey on the weak, Lennie’s physical strength and build prove ineffectual. Being utterly hopeless and accordingly superfluous takes more of a toll on George, and he is aware of the devastation Lennie’s vulnerability will cause him, but cannot suffer abandoning him as he is the sole person that Lennie physically benefits from. Introduced in the opening scene is the notion of a “ripple effect”, a metaphor for whatever Lennie commits, his action will return to him. Steinbeck deemed this ripple effect a Phalanx Theory, which says there is a difference between the individual on his own and as part of a group (Salazar, Marcia). Ultimately, the image of the ripples returning to Lennie portray that actions cause consequences, and unfortunately George suffers as a result. Lennie is physically injurious to his companion, and leaves George no choice but to kill him, as he doesn’t have the luxury of ethics in this cruel world. Steinbeck employs George as the prime carer for
Many characters in, “Of Mice and Men”, show friendship. George and Lennie show the most examples of having a great friendship. George and Lennie both take each care of one another and care about each other. They both support each other in making the dream of living off the fatta’ the land, come true. Doing these things prove that they have a strong friendship.
George helps Lennie out in all situations: with health, and mental stability. Lennie's behavior affects the way George lives because Lennie alway gets into trouble and that causes them to run away and find another place to work. “ Lennie looked timidly over to him. “George?” “ yeah, what ya want?” “where we going , George?” The little man jerked down the brim of his hat, and scowled over at Lennie.” so you forgot that awready did you?” I gotta tell you again, do I? Jesus christ you're a crazy bastard ” (Steinbeck 4). As a result, it describes their friendship because, Lennie isn't very bright, and George helps him and reminds him about where there going and what there about to do. Lennie’s behavior irritates George, yet every time Lennie gets into trouble, that causes George to help Lennie and get him out of the situation, and risks his job for him: “God a’might if I was alone I could live so easy. I could go get a job, an’work an no trouble no mess at all” (Steinbeck 11). Therefore, if Lennie weren't in George’s life then George would have more money, a job, and he’ll probably would successful fulfill his dreams. But he decides to go with Lennie, and guide him through the voyage. George always risks his job, to save Lennie from a harmful
Page 102: Lennie’s issues with abandonment make me sad as I can relate to him just a little. Instead of internalizing all of fears and the disappointment he is scared to receive for his actions, they being to haunt him. When George appears, he is really happy to see him because George makes him feels like he’s better than that, and takes the fear he has away and gives him the idea of a bright future, which is something a friend should
A mutualistic symbiotic relationship is where both partners benefit from each other. An excellent example would be an oxpecker and a rhino. As the rhino grazes in the field, many ticks and other insects fall upon the rhino. The oxpecker comes in and eats the ticks and other insects off the rhino. Both partners benefit in this situation because the rhino gets the ticks and insects off of it, the oxpecker gets its food from the rhino.
Still, George needs Lennie for emotional and physical support. Lennie gives George hope for the fu-ture. With Lennie George has a dream. Lennie always makes george tel a story. In this story they own a small little farm together. On the farm there are all sorts of animals and they live a happy comfortable life. As the story goes on George realizes that this story may come true. Without Lennie i believe that George would just end up depressed with no hope for the future. ”We gotta get a big stake together. I know a little place we can get cheap , but they ain’t giving it away.” (pg. 55) This shows that George is working towards this goal and that he has hope for
Has anyone ever had such a strong friendship with someone that they consider them family? The book Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck illustrates an amazing friendship.The book is mostly about two men named Lennie and George. This story gets very sad and ends up leaving everyone depressed at the end. One of the themes he uses is companionship.
The novel takes place during the great depression, and there are a lot of men during the time period that have the same dream as Lennie and George. Not only does this quote show the struggles of the historical time period, it also shows the personal struggle that Lennie and George have. It must be very discouraging for George to feel this way. Guys like George and Lennie "are the loneliest guys in the world. They got no family. They don't belong no place"(13). I am sure that moving around so much is not good for Lennie. This is demonstrated throughout the novel, and I believe that it is one of the reasons why Lennie kills Curley's wife. Lennie having trouble adjusting in turn makes things harder for George. Not only is he expected to work, he is also responsible for himself, Lennie, and keeping track of their finances. It must make things a whole lot harder when they are in a position where they feel as if they do not
George and Lennie have a strong friendship and throughout the book, it is easy to tell that their friendship gets stronger day after day. While the Great Depression was taking place, Men would travel to find a job; but it was uncommon for Men to stick by each other's side. “I hardly never seen two guys travel together” (67). Slim is stating that normally guys tend to travel alone to look for a job so that they can earn some money to support themselves. This is an excellent example of friendship because although it is uncommon to travel together, George and Lennie still stick by each other's side. Since Lennie often has a hard time to make the right decisions, George always has to remind him to do the right thing. "Lennie- if you jus' happen to get in trouble like you always done before, I want you to come right here an' hide in the brush." (54). George has told Lennie that if he does something
The greater part of the novel's appeal, George and Lennie's relationship, although far from what one could call a reciprocal friendship, intrigues the reader in the same way many comic duos intrigue. It is easy to identify with the "smart guy" who helplessly tries to cope with and control his irrational, dumb and, yet, spontaneous, child-like partner as they lurch from one self-inflicted crisis to another. Steinbeck uses that classic comic routine so that the reader warmly identifies and recognizes the relationship. Steinbeck's narrator establishes and characterizes George's lording of power and control over Lennie early in the first chapter:
One Positive thing about George and Lennie’s situation is nobody else has anybody to be with during this time period. By them having each other it prevents loneliness and that help tremendously when you are constantly traveling. When things get hard it is nice to have somebody there you can talk to. That’s what Lennie has with George and
Mutualism is illustrated in two relationships throughout Of Mice and Men, the first being through Candy and his dog’s relationship between each other. Mutualism is when both organisms involved benefit. Candy and his dog benefit from one another because they are companions in a setting where companionship and friendship are rare. In chapter 3, when Carlson is trying to convince Candy to let him shoot the dog, Candy says, “No, I couldn’ do that. I had ‘im too long.” (Steinbeck 45) This illustrates the relationship between Candy and the dog because they are companions to one another. This relates to a mutualistic relationship because Candy is benefiting mentally from having a relationship, and the dog is benefiting from Candy by being provided with a place to live, food, water and a loving owner. Additionally, another mutualistic relationship in Of Mice and Men is the relationship between Crooks and Lennie. Crooks and Lennie first meet in Chapter 4, when Lennie ventures into Crook’s room looking for company. At first, Crooks does not want anything to do with Lennie, yet as the chapter progresses, they both begin to benefit from their conversation. Crooks, being a negro stableboy does not normally have that many people to talk to, therefore, he is benefiting by forming almost a friendship with Lennie. Lennie, being as slow and child-like, is benefiting by being able to express his dream with someone that would actually talk to him. When Lennie attempts to explain his story to other characters in the book, they are dismissive for the fact that they believe that he is crazy. However, Crooks actually listens to Lennie, and although he presents an idea of a reality Lennie does not like, Lennie is still benefiting by having someone to talk to about his “American Dream.” This meaning that Crooks and Lennie had a mutualistic relationship. This is how Of Mice and Men and Living in
One internal conflict that George is dealing with is that he has to keep on looking out for Lennie, even though he knows he would be better off without Lennie. For example, George says, God almighty, if I was alone I could live so easy. I could go get a job an’ work, an’ no trouble,” (Steinbeck, page 11). George faces the internal conflict of deciding if it is really worth George to look after Lennie. All Lennie does for George is cause him trouble. George could start a brand new life, way more successful than now, without Lennie. But he decides to stay with Lennie because to Lennie George means everything to him. If Lennie didn't have George, who knows where he would be. This shows George as a complex character because the audience sees the real two sides of George. Outside George may seem as a tough independent person. But really on the inside George is a very caring person that is a father figure for Lennie. The audience sees George’s
George and Lennie are different as they have each other for support, friendship and much more. Lennie is able to give George hope, hope that things will get better by continually talking about the dream of ‘livin’ of the fatta the land’. This in turn brightens George’s spirits and motivates him to keep on working hard and believing that ‘we got a future’. Even though Lennie helps George in many physiological ways, he also helps him physically. Lennie’s pure size and strength is so great that he is often compared to a ‘bear’ by Steinbeck; an animal which has immense power. This strength helps them gain work as ‘man, (Lennie) can work’. Without Lennie, George would have much difficulty finding manual labour jobs due to his small size.
How does friendship give people hope to survive during the Great Depression? Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck is a powerful story about two men traveling together working hard at the ranch hoping they will one day achieve their dream to own a land. George Milton is one of the main characters that works hard to fulfill the dream of owning a land. Lennie Small is George’s best friend and companion that travel with George, who is struggling to control his own strength. Candy is an old swamper who cleans the bunkhouses on the ranch living with his old dog, but they are considered less valuable and worthless because of their age and disability on the ranch. Crooks is a black stable buck who is isolated from the others
The presence and absence of friendship affect different characters throughout the novel. For example, of having a strong friendship, George tells Lennie about all the lonely people walking around and “Lennie broke in. ‘But not us! An' why? Because... because I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you, and that's why’" (Steinbeck 14). This establishes that George and Lennie have a strong friendship. They both need each other to live a pleasant life during