Mercy or Murder?
The ending in, Of Mice and Men was a very emotional conclusion not only because Lennie perished, but because George was the one to kill him. I do not believe this act to be considered murder, but more so mercy. Although I think that in today's times this would be considered murder by the law. This is an act of mercy because Curley was going to slaughter Lennie by shooting him in the stomach and letting him die a sluggish and excruciating death. George decided it would be best for him to kill Lennie and not Curley; he made this disturbing decision out of love and compassion. I have confidence in that George made the right decision and sometimes the right choice isn't the most pleasurable choice. George knows that they can't run forever, eventually the police will find them and who's to say what will happen then. They might kill Lennie where he stands or take him to prison to deteriorate for the rest of his existence. All George knows is that at least Lennie was happy when he died and still had the vision of the rabbits dancing in his head. I think that's another reason why he killed Lennie was he knew their dream wasn't ever going to be a reality and he didn't want Lennie to live a doomed dreamless life with nothing to look forward to.
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After Carlson shoots candy's dog in the back of the head Candy regretfully states “I ought to of shot that dog myself, George. I shouldn’t ought to of let no stranger shoot my dog.” George knows this and sees that it is only right for him to kill his best friend and not an enraged blood-hungry man like Curley. The most chilling part was that George killed Lennie just like Carlson killed candy's dog, a bullet through the back of the skull. Although Lennie's execution was more prolonged because George loved Lennie no matter how many bad things he