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

Decent Essays

Most people have that one friend that they have a special connection with. That they protect. They make each other laugh. They would do almost anything for each other. In the book, of Mice and Men, written by John Steinbeck, George and Lennie have this type of friendship. George looks out for Lennie and Lennie stands up for George. In this book, George and Lennie’s relationship shows positive and negative traits of a friendship. Along with friendship come a lot of hardships and complications. George and Lennie do not see eye to eye on everything that goes on in the story. For example, “’Give it here!’ said George. ‘aw, leave me have it, George.’” This is showing how Lennie just wants to keep the mouse because he enjoys it but George won’t let him because he thinks it disgusting. George doesn’t care what Lennie thinks its all up to George. Also in the story, George verbally abuses Lennie. If Lennie doesn’t do what George says, George gets extremely rabid at Lennie. He frequently calls Lennie unintelligent and foolish. “’Oh! I ain’t saying he’s bright. He ain’t. But I say he’s a god damn good worker’”(Steinbeck 22). …show more content…

Especially in George and Lennie’s situation. “Maybe ever’body in the whole damn world is scared of each other” (Steinbeck 74). This shows that even in a world for of untrusting people Lennie and George can push through that and still manage to be best friends and trust each other no matter the circumstance. The author explains how Lennie got in some trouble in the old town of Weed. Lennie was accused of “raping” a woman. Lennie told George about this and they both fled the city. George hasn’t mentioned it to anyone since it happened. This is a good example of trust, even though Lennie was in a significant amount of trouble, George still kept his secret and even helped him get out of the town, away from all the people that were accusing

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