When Wrong is Right At the end of “Of Mice and Men” George is faced with grim decision of shooting his best friend and family member Lennie to ease both of their future pains. George has known Lennie for mostly all of his life and he knew that when Lennie was dead their dream of having a house would be over. George then makes up his mind and shoots Lennie making him think if it was the right decision or it was wrong. In this case the decision was right because of many reasons with one being that Lennie would never be able to survive in the world that they live in.
The way that George killed Lennie was a quick and unpainful way. If he had not shot Lennie in the back of the head, things for Lennie would have been much worse. Even Curley says, “When you see ‘um, don’t give ‘im no chance. Shoot for his guts. That’ll double ‘im over” (Steinbeck 97).
While in the book, Lennie was described with animal traits, which makes him look innocent on the outside. On the other hand, something inside of him might awaken and turn Lennie into a dangerous beast. According to George’s decision expressed as “He looked steadily at his right hand that had held the gun” (Steinbeck 107). He predicted the only outcome for Lennie was death, but it was not decided on which person to kill Lennie. Eventually, George had to do what is right for Lennie, his one and only irreplaceable
It would be easy for readers to argue that George shot Lennie in order to reclaim his own life, have a girlfriend / wife, and simply rid the burden of caring for someone who isn’t really there due to his internal
“Sure, right now. I gotta. We gotta.” And George raised the gun and steadied it, and he brought the muzzle of it close to the back of Lennie’s head. The hand shook violently, but his face set and his hand steadied.
George went ahead of them and talked to Lennie about their dream ranch and killed him by shooting him in the back of the head so his last few moments would be peaceful and happy. I think he made the right decision because Lennie otherwise would’ve been afraid in his last moments, George didn’t have to deal with the fact that someone else killed Lennie, and Lennie was dangerous to himself and to others. I don’t think I could kill my friend but, I think it was good that George did because he gave Lennie those last few moments in color. He was happy thinking about tending the rabbits on their dream ranch.
George protects Lennie in many ways within the book. At the end of the book, Lennie committed a serious act which could jeopardize him and George's’ dream of a farm. George had told Lennie to go to and hide in the brush if he’s in trouble. George met him there alone and shot him. George shot Lennie
“She struggled violently under his hands. Her feet battered on the hay and she withered to be free; and from under Lennie’s hand came a muffled screaming” (Steinbeck 91). After the death of Curley’s wife it became clear to George that no matter what, Lennie was going to cause trouble whether he meant it or not, anywhere they were to go. George didn’t have any choice but to kill Lennie.
Sometimes in life you have to get rid of the people who bring you down in order to succeed and go further in life. For instance, I use to have this friend and she would always talk me into doing bad things. So, one day I just stopped hanging with her. In the book George had to do something about Lennie because Lennie was getting into trouble and was going to far.
George shouldn’t be so mean to Lennie because he doesn’t understand things like George. In chapter one George says “‘come on, give it here” (Steinbeck5). when Lennie was petting the dead mouse. It shows how George doesn’t let Lennie have anything that isn’t bothering George. In chapter one also George says “Blubbernin’ like a baby!”
Attempts to elude fate did not succeed for both mice and men die in the end. Although George exhibits selfless demeanor by teaching, showing the value, and protecting Lennie, this friendship ended with the Lennie’s death. In Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck describes Lennie’s naivete and irrationality which makes him extremely vulnerable to harm. He falls prey to impulsive farm owners and manipulative women who consider Lennie’s inabilities as malignant actions. Regardless of all the challenges Lennie initiates, George chooses to stand by him.
Steinbeck further presents the idea of Lennie being "put down" when Candys dog is shot by Carlson. This foreshadows Lennies fate as the dog is shot just as Lennie is at the end of the novella. This could of influenced George's decision to kill Lennie, as he see's Candys dog being shot and he see's the aftermath of the effect that it has on candy. I think this will of made George's decision easier as he knows that it's the best thing for Lennie. Candy says " I ought to have shot that dog myself
In 1937, John Steinbeck published a book that would retain prominence for decades in American literature. It is titled “Of Mice and Men.” The story revolve around two lifelong best friends named George and Lennie in 1930s America. The two have nothing in common, excluding their brotherly love and loyalty for one another. Unbeknownst to characters in the book, Lennie most likely deals with autism, which affects his social behavior.
Rabbits- Rabbits are used commonly throughout the story to symbolize Lennie’s innocence. Lennie is very fond of rabbits. He even had a dream where George and he were at the farm they wish to own tending the rabbits. Lennie loves rabbits because of how soft they are. Since he is obsessed with petting soft things it eventually leads him to kill them.
George’s decision to kill Lennie was ultimately for his benefit. “The hand shook violently, but his (George) face set and his hand steadied. He pulled the trigger” (Steinbeck 106). The quote which states how Lennie dies also shows that George was nervous and hesitant in killing Lennie. Scarseth explains in the article, “Friendship.
