To What Extent Does Lennie Have A True Friendship

True Friendship

The novel Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck is set in the 1930’s in Soledad,California. Steinbeck describes a time where the American Dream was sought after but difficult to obtain.Steinbeck reveals that while people are trying to achieve the American Dream,there will always be obstacles in the way that will try to hinder them. Steinbeck paints a disturbing portrait of the American Dream in the 1930’s. The novel centers around two men George and Lennie, who are trying to fulfill their American Dream. Throughout the novel,George and Lennie run into multiple obstacles that prevent them from achieving their American Dream. George and Lennie have a true friendship because George protects Lennie, George always does what is best for Lennie, and George gets Lennie out of trouble.

Aristotle states,“ In the case of friendship, we must push back against that time if we are to sustain what, for many of us, are among the most important elements of our lives. It is those elements that allows us to sit by the bedside of a friend: not because we know it is worth it, but because the question of worth does not even arise.” (Aristotle,Page 1) George doesn’t care about the consequences when it comes to protecting Lennie. When George and Lennie first got to the ranch and were meeting everybody,Curly’s wife walked in and was flirting with Lennie, George said “ Listen to me, you crazy bastard. Don’t you even take a look at that girl. I don’t care what she says and what she does.”(Steinbeck 32) He warns him more by saying “Well, you keep away from her, cause she's a rattrap if I ever seen one.”(Steinbeck 32) He told Lennie that because he knew Curly’s wife was no good and would end up getting Lennie in trouble. In addition to protecting him George does what is best for