“To take a life when a life has been lost is revenge, not justice.” -Desmond Tutu. This quote suggests why sentencing one to death after they have taken the life of another is not solving the problem. At most, it is helping to catalyze the grief and loathing towards those who have made mistakes. Although this idea may be impenetrable to those in mourning, it applies to both the most innocent and guilty individuals. For this reason, in John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men, George should not be punished for killing Lennie because George being forced to decide to either kill his friend, watch other men kill him, or continue running away for the rest of his life is his punishment, he had Lennie's best interest in mind, and Lennie would keep making the same mistakes and identical events to this one would only continue to occur.
One reason George shouldn’t be punished for murdering
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Some may even say George killed his friend in attempt to rid himself the burden of Lennie, or protect himself from trouble, but this is a senseless claim. George cared for Lennie in both a friendly and protective manner. George was looking out for Lennie, and only hoped for the best with him. It is unfair to claim George had such a hatred towards Lennie, when it so clearly shows George’s affection towards him. John Steinbeck shows how George is accepting of Lennie, despite everything he has done when he writes, “No, Lennie. I ain’t mad. I never been mad, an’ I ain’t now. That’s a thing I want ya to know” (Steinbeck, 106). George reassuring Lennie shows he doesn’t want him to die with the thought that his friend was mad or disappointed with him, because George was never mad. He knew it was impossible for Lennie to comprehend most situations normally, and he accepted him for how he was. George’s only intention, ever, was to look out for his friend because Lennie couldn't do it