Relationships in Of Mice And Men Essay

Everyone knows the story of Romeo and Juliet. Romeos family, the Montagues and Juliets family, the Capulets have been in a blood feud that had been going on for hundreds of years. However, this pair of star-crossed lovers fell in love instead of hating each other, and in a sequence of events, Romeo and Juliet end up taking their own life. This story ends up as a depressing tragedy. Similar to this, the novel Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck is a tragedy. However, it shows many other positive aspects. George and Lennie, two friends and migrant workers look for job at a ranch in California. They get jobs, and their dream of one day owning their own farm is lost when the mentally ill Lennie, kills a woman at the ranch. In the end, George, Lennies best friend, kills him. Although this is very depressing, Of Mice and Men is a story about devotion and courage.

First, the friendship between George and Lennie shows devotion and courage in the story. For example, when we see George telling Lennie about how workers like themselves are the loneliest guys on earth, Lennie says, But not us! An why? Because because I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you, and thats why (14). This shows that they have each other to look after one another and to help each other achieve their dreams, which is to own their own farm. In addition, after Crooks tells Lennie that there is a possibility that George might not come back, Lennie says, He wont do it, George wouldnt do nothing like that. I been with George a long time. Hell come back tonight (71). The bond of friendship between George and Lennie is so strong that even though Lennie is mentally retarded, he is completely sure that George would come back for him, and never abandon him. Friendship is one major key that shows devotion and courage in the novel.

Next, the loyalty that George shows towards Lennie exhibits devotion and courage in the story. For example, when Slim and George are talking with each other while playing cards, he tells George, Hardly none of the guys ever travel together. I hardly never seen two guys travel together It jus seems kinda funny a cuckoo like him and a smart little guy like you travelin together (39.) A smart man like George could have made a better life for himself and become successful without Lennie. But, his loyalty to Lennie is so great that he would sacrifice his hope for success by staying with Lennie and caring for him so that they can both dream of owning their own farm one day. In addition, when Lennie threatens George of leaving him, and finding a cave to live in so no one can bother him, George tells Lennie that he wants him to stay with George. Lennies threatening is pointless because George could have left Lennie whenever he wanted and would have nothing to lose. However, George continues to stay with Lennie to care for him. Loyalty is another major key that shows courage and devotion in the story.

Finally, the brotherly love between George and Lennie shows devotion and courage in this story.. For example, the final act George does to Lennie is killing him. Although murder is contradictory to the theme of love, there is a reason for this. After Lennie kills Curleys wife, he runs away and Candy finds her dead. Previous to this, Curley was trying to pick a fight with Lennie, but Lennie crushed Curleys hand and humiliated him in front of the other workers. So, Curley undoubtedly would have wanted revenge. When the opportunity came, Curley gets his gun, and tries to go and hunt Lennie down. However, George, out of love, killed Lennie while he was looking out towards the river, rather than die by the cruel, and hateful hand of Curley. In addition, when George told Slim what happened in Weed, he said that Lennie was accused of rape and they both ran away together. Lennie was accused of a crime, and there were probably many policemen who were looking for Lennie. Because he loved Lennie, he stayed with him and helped him escape, even though his life was also in danger for helping a fugitive. Love is the most important key point that shows devotion and courage in the story.

Although the novel Of Mice and Men may seem like tragedy, this story is one that tells of devotion and courage. George and Lennie were the best of friends, and the only thing that could separate them was death. One can assume from Of Mice and Men that in a time of misfortune and misery, good can come out of it.