Essay On Romeo And Juliet And Lennie's Relationship

When comparing Romeo and Juliet to George and Lennie, many people believe that Romeo and Juliet have a much stronger relationship, regardless of the many great qualities that George and Lennie possess. Proponents of that idea believe it because George kills Lennie in the end of the novel, Of Mice and Men. Sure, it makes sense to think that way initially, but when one understands the reasoning why George did so, it actually shows just one more reason why their relationship is so strong. First of all, George killed Lennie because he did not want to see him suffer a painful death. George and Candy found out that Lennie had killed Curley’s wife before Curley found out. Instead of panicking, George remained calm and reassured to Candy that he was not going to let anyone else hurt Lennie. “I ain’t gonna let ‘em hurt Lennie” (Steinbeck 95). George does not want anyone else to kill Lennie because he knows

That big son-of-a-b**** done it. I know he done it. Why everybody else was outside out there playin’ horseshoes. I’m gonna get him. I’m going for my shotgun. I’ll shoot ‘im in the guts, come on guys” (Steinbeck 96). Curley’s tone of voice and word choice in this quote highlights his anger. He is vexed by Lennie’s actions and wants him to pay for what he did to his wife. George understands that Curley is going to make Lennie experience a painful and slow death, and he does not want that to happen to Lennie. Being the good friend he is, he comes up with his own plan to kill Lennie to avoid the harsh killing. George leaves before the other men set off and finds Lennie near a creek. They talk for a while and then George tells Lennie to sit on a rock. While sitting there, George tells Lennie to retell him the story of their future farm together. This occupies Lennie and keeps him thinking of happy thoughts. As Lennie is reciting the plan to George, George follows through with his plan to kill