Examples Of A True Friendship In Of Mice And Men

Caitlin Fauske

Mr. Pease

English 9

May 1, 2023

A True Friend What would life feel like without a friend? Throughout one’s life, friends come and go. But, only a certain few would be considered a true friend. Characteristics of this special person may be compassion, trust, and loyalty. There are multiple examples of this rare event in John Steinbeck’s writing. Throughout the novella Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck wants his readers to understand the lesson of how having a true friend is something that everyone needs in their life. This is shown through the relationship between George and Lennie as well as George and Slim. The first example of a true friendship shown in the book is between Lennie and George. At the

During the middle of the story, Slim shows a great act of friendship towards George. Candy, Lennie, and George are in the bunkhouse one afternoon daydreaming about their farm. Suddenly, a loud ruckus appears just outside the door. Curley has, once again, lost track of his wife. He blames Slim, apologizes for it, but is still in a furious mood. On the bed, Lennie giggles to himself about taking care of the rabbits and Curley’s rage explodes. He punches Lennie in the face multiple times. As blood begins to spill, Curley makes one final strike to his stomach. George screams at Lennie to fight back. Lennie, face covered in blood, grabs Curley’s fist. When Curley lays on the ground, seizing in pain, George tells Lennie to let go. He doesn’t. It is not until a few moments later when his grasp finally loosens. As Curley lays on the ground barely able to move, Slim walks over. He says, “‘I think you got your han’ caught in a machine. If you don’t tell nobody what happened, we ain’t going to. But you jus’ tell an’ try to get this guy canned and we’ll tell ever’body, an’ then will you get the laugh’” (Steinbeck 64). The reader sees a great act of bravery from Slim in this scene. Slim is risking his whole job and life to keep George and Lennie on the farm. But, he still chances it. Steinbeck uses Slim to teach his readers about what a loyal friend looks like. He wants the readers to use Slim and the rest of his characters as role models, hoping that they’ll carry out those same deeds in real life. At the very end of the book, Slim shows the greatest act of friendship and kindness in the whole story. Lennie is getting chased down by Curley and the rest of the farm workers because he killed Curley’s wife. George and Lennie are at the same camp that they started at. In order to save Lennie's happiness, George shoots him in the head, leaving him with the memory of the rabbits. As the