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Importance Of Relationships In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

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Of Mice And Men Essay
"The only way to predict the future is to build it" (Alan Kay). This quote from Alan Kay talks about how the future is built by the people themselves and the things they do. The future is like water in the way that it is always changing and by causing one small change it can cause a huge ripple. John Steinbeck's novel, Of Mice and Men, is a compelling story that dives into the lives of a group of workers during the Great Depression. The novel serves as a commentary on the human condition, and Steinbeck uses the characters and their relationships to demonstrate how the people around us shape our future. Throughout Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck illustrates how the relationships people have with those around them shape their …show more content…

One of the key relationships in the novel is between George and Lennie. George, a small, smart man, acts as a caretaker and protector for Lennie, a large, mentally disabled man. Despite the challenges of their relationship, George is deeply loyal to Lennie and always looks out for his well-being. As George explains to Lennie, "Hide till I come for you. Dont let nobody see you. Hide in the brush by the river." (Steinbeck pg 30) Analyzing this quote illustrates how George's relationship with Lennie shapes his future, as he is willing to sacrifice his freedom and safety to protect Lennie as if they are blood. Furthermore, George and Lennie's dream of owning a farm together, which they share and nurture, illustrates how relationships also shape one's aspirations and goals. As George says "We gonna get that little place, and live off the fatta the lan'" (Steinbeck pg 56) This establishes how George and Lennie's relationship sets them up for future successes. This idea of living off "the fatta the lan'" is brought up many times throughout the book and is always used as an end goal for the …show more content…

Another important relationship in the novel is between Curley's wife and the other characters. Curley's wife is lonely and isolated on the ranch, and she longs for companionship and understanding. However, the other characters dismiss and mistreat her, leading to her tragic death. As Curley's wife explains to Lennie, "I get lonely. They left all the weak ones here"(Steinbeck pg 77). This quote illustrates how Curley's wife's relationship with the other characters shapes her future, as she is ultimately alone and unable to find the happiness and companionship she desires. Additionally, Curley's wife's relationship with her husband, Curley, also shapes her future, as her marriage to Curley is a source of her isolation and unhappiness. As she says "I ain't used to livin' like this. I get lonely". (Steinbeck pg 88) Curly's wife saying this shows how her future is impacted because she is showing how her being left alone makes her enraged. Her seeking attention from others like Lennie ends up leading to her

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