Of Mice and Men Friendship

Friendship plays a huge part on the story of “Mice and Men”. Having a friend makes everything better and feel easier. George and Lennie go on many journeys in order to find a job. George considers Lennie to be his closest friend. George has made the decision of shooting and killing Lennie. George did this, not because he hated him, but rather to protect himself and Lennie. A true friend will always want what is best for one another. Of “Mice and Men”, by John Steinbeck, friendship is used as a message in order to show that real friendship can help create the characters of George and Lennie be less of a struggle of being lonely by being together.

Friendship plays a huge part on the story of “Mice and Men”. Having a friend makes hard obstacles much easier. George and Lennie travel together and never leave each other creating a strong bond. “Both were dressed in denim trousers and in denim coats with brass buttons. Both wore black, shapeless hats and both carried tight blanket rolls slung over their shoulders.” (Steinbeck, 1) George and Lennie have created a strong bond of friendship that one man is walking behind another. On the other hand, they're dressed identically. When George first met Lennie, he knew that they would have a bond with each other because Lennie listens to whatever he tells him to do. “I turns to Lennie and says ‘jump in’ and he jumps. Couldn’t swim a stroke” (Steinbeck 40) George keeps a deep affection for Lennie. Although Lennie isn’t the brightest, he provides love for George that he needs. George and Lennie share the same dream of getting their own ranch and huge land.

Having a friend makes people not feel lonely. In the story, the character Crooks is really lonely and needs a friend. “Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world. They got no family. They don't belong no place. They come to a ranch an' work up a stake and then they go inta town and blow their stake, and the first thing you know they're poundin' their tail on some other ranch. They ain't got nothing to look ahead to.” (Steinbeck, 8) Everyone can not be alone in life because there will always be a problem where in need of help. Having a friend is like a having another family because that friend really understands them. Anybody can be a friend to someone, no matter what it is. “The old man [Candy] squirmed uncomfortably. "Well-hell! I had him so long. Had him since he was a pup. I herded sheep with him." He said proudly, “You wouldn't think it to look at him now, but he was the best damn sheep dog I ever seen.” (Steinbeck, 56) Being lonely is not something anybody wants. Friends are what makes people happier and help people through the hard times

Looking out for other people is very important. In the book of “Mice and Men”, George always looks after Lennie and protects him because of his mental disability. "With us it ain't like that. We got a future. We got somebody to talk to that gives a damn about us. We don't have to sit in no bar room blowin' in our jack jus' because we got no place else to go. If them other guys gets in jail they can rot for all anybody gives a damn. But not us.” Lennie broke in. “But not us! An' why? Because... because I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you, and that's why.” He laughed delightedly. “Go on now” (Steinbeck, 5) Friendship means by sticking together no matter what the consequences are. Doing as much as a person for a friend can be helpful. “If you don' want me I can go off in the hills an' find a cave. I can go away any time.” “No—look! I was jus' foolin', Lennie. 'Cause I want you to stay with me.” (Steinbeck, 7) Lennie wants to do anything for George and wants to help him out as much as he can. Friendship is a very strong thing and it can not work without having a friend.

Of “Mice and Men”, by John Steinbeck, friendship is used as a message in order to show that real friendship can help create any life’s hard decisions less difficult. Making a connection is knowing about each other. Giving advice and helping someone out is important. Being lonely is the worst thing to be in life because everyone needs someone close in their life. This theme is important to the book because it's all about friendship and how everyone helps each other send make connections.

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