Martin Luther King stated that “hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it.” Both love and hatred played a role in John Steinbeck’s novel, but in the end cruelty and hatred brought George and Lennie’s friendship to a tragic ending. Steinbeck wrote Of Mice and Men during the Great Depression of 1930’s. He was a Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winning author. Steinbeck was once a manual laborer. Steinbeck was familiar with the time period and could connect with the feelings of the migrant workers. His writings were about social and economic concepts. This novel illustrates the culture of violence and cruelty of that time. Steinbeck 's characters show different types of inhumanity. Every character feels isolated and lonely, which causes some to attack those who are weaker than they are. Loneliness and the cruelty of others caused George and Lennie to stick together during many hard years, but the violence of their fellow workers overcame George’s good intentions to care for Lennie. …show more content…
Carlson wanted Candy’s dog to be put down because of the stench and how the dog was in no position to be any use. “The way I’d shoot him, he wouldn’t feel nothing. I’d put the gun right there.” He pointed with his toe. “Right back of the head. He wouldn’t even quiver” Carlson stated (Chapter 3 pg. 45). This smaller act of violence will later play a part in the decision that leads to George’s shocking action. Carlson promises Candy that his dog won’t suffer. In the conclusion Of Mice and Men George will hope that the fact that he is killing Lennie himself won’t cause Lennie any pain. George and Lennie fled from violence for awhile until it led them on the same