How Does Steinbeck Present Lennie's Relationship In Of Mice And Men

In the novel Of Mice & Men, by John Steinbeck, Lennie and George’s relationship is not the most quintessential friendship. Though in the first part of the story it is not said that Lennie has any social disabilities, you can pick up the characteristic. George has a way with words, which affects Lennieーbut only within that moment. Steinbeck portrays both these characters very vividly; although he does not just flat out make a list describing each man, he shows each personality and relationship they hold. Within the first few pages of the novel, Steinbeck reveals the men’s physically appearances, “The first man (George) was small and quick, dark of face, with restless eyes and sharp, strong features. Every part of him was defined: small, strong hands slender arms, a thin bony nose. Behind him walked

George is drawn as the serious one, the one with the plan, who also seems to have random outbursts of hatrage. He is shown as Lennie’s only hope at survival; without George it seems as if life would be too harsh for Lennie on his own. Lennie is represented as the child, although he is a grown man, he acts as if a child. He forgets a lot, and isn’t able to grasp what's morally okay and what's not. He truly does not see the wrongs he does, but he does want George to be happy. He shows that by saying he will leave if that’s what George wanted, “Cause I can just go away, George, an’ live in a cave.”3 Though Lennie may not realize what life in a cave would be like, he was willing to live on his own for his friends happiness; whether that friend considered him a buddy or not. Of Mice & Men’s two main characters have a special bond, and John Steinbeck shows that very clearly within only the first chapter of his novel. Steinbeck conveys the idea of their friendship by showing their evening together, just that one night showed Lennie and George’s personalities, and relationship to the