Many people argue that Lennie’s murder could have been nevaded. George is often criticized for his harsh treatment towards Lennie. However, George had to do what was necessary to protect his lifelong companion and to let him go in a way that would be peaceful for him. That meant in whatever means necessary. All throughout the story, George is thought to be cruel and harsh to Lennie. For example, George had thrown him in a river, called him mean names, and told him that life would be better without him. Some believe that George’s behavior towards Lennie are unfair. However, George acts like this because he only knows life with Lennie. He doesn’t know anything other than that and he believes that life without Lennie would be significantly better. George calls him these mean names because …show more content…
To begin, George knew that if Curley or any of the other ranchers got to Lennie first, they would have killed him in a way to make him suffer. Lennie’s last moments would be of pain, confusion, and fear. As it states in the text, “ I’ll kill the big son-of-a-bitch myself. I’ll shoot ‘im in the guts.” (Steinbeck, 96). George knew they were either going to kill him or keep him locked up in a cage until he dies. Either way, George couldn’t let that be the ending for Lennie after all they had been through. Therefore, George wanted to be the one who kills him. George had learned from Candy’s experience that he should shoot Lennie himself. The only way that Lennie could be peaceful in his final moments was thinking about the ranch where he would be tending to his rabbits. George knew this and told Lennie the story before he killed him, his best friend. In telling the story, George’s heart is being torn apart. He knows that the dream is no longer attainable because the dream includes Lennie. Without Lennie, the dream amounts to nothing. George surrenders his dreams and gives up himself for his companion’s