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

Decent Essays

Friendship and happiness were both difficult to find during the Great Depression, but a lucky few had both. Of Mice and Men tells the story of two friends, George and Lennie, who find themselves on a ranch in pursuit of their dreams. Unfortunately for them, circumstances beyond their control cost Lennie and George their dream and much more. John Steinbeck wrote about how the main characters all demonstrate happiness when they have friendship.
For instance, the happiest characters throughout the book include George and Lennie because they have each others friendship. In George and Lennie’s years of friendship, they have developed a “dream”. This “dream” brings smilies to both of their faces, especially Lennie’s. They also have both keep each other in line, for the most part at least. The friendship has allowed them to help each other achieve the dream. “But not us! An’ why? Because . . . because I got you to look after me, and you got me to looks after you, and that’s why.’ He laughed delightedly”(14). They talk about how they have each other multiple times in the book. They both help each …show more content…

Crooks displayed a mean and scornful person because he had been mistreated for so long that when Lennie starts talking to him peacefully, and ignoring he is African American, he started to become friendly. Crooks exhibited happiness when he made friends with Candy and Lennie. He also exhibited happiness because he became apart of the dream. He lost his loneliness for one scene and he became a totally different person. Lastly, when Crooks friendship got seized, he snapped back to his selfish and protective normal self. That shows how without friendship, he turns into his grumpy, unhappy normal self. “Crooks avoided the whole subject now. ‘Maybe you guys better go,’ he said. ‘ i ain’t sure I want you in here no more. A colored man got to have some rights even if he don’t like

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