In Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck explores companionship through: George and Lennie recognise that they are different because they have each other and understand that this is very important for them. The unusualness of their bond is emphasised throughout the novel, particularly through the contrast with the other characters who are isolated and lonely. The friendship between George and Lennie is prevalent throughout the book, but it is shown most explicitly in their plan to live on a farm together in the future. George teaches Lennie, keeps him safe, and usually speaks to others for him because Lennie is … The way in which this dream is articulated represents the idealized friendship they share. Someday—we’re gonna get the jack together and we’re gonna have a little house and a couple of acres an’ a cow and some pigs and—", "An’ live off the fatta the lan’," Lennie shouted. This suggests that these two men completely contrast each other in looks, as well as state of mind. This novel is about two farm hands, Lennie Small and George Milton, who had a bout of trouble and are now starting work at a new ranch. This is strange because they are completely different from each other mentally, as well as physically. George and Lennie have dreams of one day owning their own ranch. Men like Curley and Carlson do not recognise the value of forming relationships and cannot empathise with who that do. The friendship between George and Lennie is prevalent throughout the book, but it is shown most explicitly in their plan to live on a farm together in the future. George is really a father figure to Lennie, but George loves Lennie for the type of companionship he expresses to him. Tell about what we’re gonna have in the garden and about the rabbits in the cages and about the rain in the winter and the stove, and how thick the cream is on the milk like you can hardly cut it. The Boss is immediately suspicious that George answers for Lennie and cannot understand why they are travelling together. George takes this to an extreme length by killing Lennie at the end of the book in order to shield him from Curley. That’s all. Apart from Slim, the men on the ranch find it difficult to understand why George and Lennie stick together. The unusualness of their bond is emphasised throughout the novel, particularly through the contrast with the other characters who are isolated and lonely. Steinbeck presents the relationship between George and Lennie by utilizing a number of literary techniques and devices, particularly in the first 3 section. Companionship in Of Mice and Men is primarily demonstrated through the friendship of George and Lennie, as there are no other meaningful relationships between people in the book. George takes this to an extreme length by killing Lennie at the end of the book in order to shield him from Curley. He also portrays his key terms and ideas through the ways the relationship […] ’ is underlying the true reliance that both George and Lennie have for one another. You know all of it. You takin’ his pay away from him? The relationship between the intelligent but weak George Milton and the retarded but strong Lennie Small is the focal point of Steinbeck's novella, and a surface reading strongly suggests that \"friendship\" or \"personal commitment\" is one of this work's salient themes. How does george and lennie show friendship. Read about our approach to external linking. George and Lennie – How is their relationship presented? How is the theme of companionship shown in the book? The idea was to get a piece of land, grow crops and have an improved life there. ’ is underlying the true reliance that both George and Lennie have for … George and Lennie share a special friendship, in which George guides Lennie and tries to keep him out of trouble. Unlike Lennie, however, George does change as the story progresses. A theme is an idea that runs throughout a text. George and Lennie Relationship Of Mice and Men. George is forever insulting Lennie but Lennie is too dumb to see it and think's he's playing. George’s first words, a stern warning to Lennie not to drink so much lest he get sick, set the tone of their relationship. Lennie and George, the two main characters, had such a dream, “Some day were gonna get a little place and a couple of acres”. ", http://www.shmoop.com/of-mice-and-men/dreams-hopes-plans-quotes.html. Lennie for god sakes don’t drink so much”… “Lennie, you gonna be sick like you was last night!” This quote shows thats George is concerned about Lennie’s health and well-being, and that Lennie does not now better by drinking dirty water. Pages: 6 (1446 words) Friendship,Dreams, and the Conflict in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men Pages: 2 (465 words); Should Geroge Have Killed Lennie Pages: 4 (797 words); Of Mice and Men Expository Pages: 3 … It was unusual in those times to be able to sustain friendships because life was all about living for the moment after America’s great loss. Steinbeck conveys this feature through Lennie’s constant deferential behaviour towards George. I just like to know what your interest is. Tell about that George. Lennie is mentally unstable and unable to look after himself. Go on…George. Although Lennie and George are both grown men, their relationship resembles more of a child and a single parent, or a boy and his dog. George on the other hand, cannot properly care for Lennie in a way that is necessary for friendship. The way in which this dream is articulated represents the idealized friendship they share. Go on, George! Lennie saying ‘I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you. No, ’course I ain’t. Each has qualities that the other one needs, and each has frailties that the other friend helps out with. Throughout the novel, Steinbeck presents the relationship between George and Lennie as very varying. An’ why? Lennie and George are two companions who look for work and brave the hardships of the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression together. Why ya think I’m sellin’ him out? That’s all. All of them seek out companionship but are unable to find it. How does Steinbeck present the relationship between George and Lennie throughout the novel Of Mice and Men? What George does not realize is how potentially dangerous Lennie is. Although George complained about Lennie, there was an underlying bond that transcended even family. Lennie also sees his friend ‘he pulled his hat down more over his eyes the way George’s hat was. is primarily demonstrated through the friendship of George and Lennie, as there are no other meaningful relationships between people in the book. The friendship between George and Lennie in Of Mice and Men is parental. Created: Feb 27, 2012. docx, 24 KB. George is very protective over Lennie, “Lennie for God’s sake don’t drink so much!” because he … I just like to know what your interest is. debates, of the relationship between George and Lennie in Of Mice and Men. George is a small, smart-witted man, while Lennie is a large, mentally- handicapped man. (Crooks to Lennie). Our tips from experts and exam survivors will help you through. Some day- we’re gunna get the jack together and we’re gunna have a little house and a couple of acres” this is George and lennies dream lennies main priority is to tender the rabbits not to have a house of his own with George this shows that lennie is very childish. The way that Lennie repeats this sentence to George demonstrates that he has learnt it through saying it many times, as he cuts George off to complete this mantra. They had each others back and "gave a damn" about each other in a very isolating world. Due to him being so isolated on the ranch, Crooks understands the need for human relationships. George can tell you screwy things, and it don’t matter. ’ as a role model and sees him as guidance as to how to live his own life. Preview and details Files included (1) docx, 24 KB. This emphasises the damage that loneliness causes and how important friendships can be in such a harsh environment. Loading... Save for later. Relationship Between George And Lennie In Of Mice And Men. Not affiliated with Harvard College. For example, although Lennie is learning-challenged, he is big and strong. Well, I never seen one guy take so much trouble for another guy. George would look out for Lennie similarly to how a parent would (stories, discipline, rules....) and in return Lennie offered unconditional love. It also shows us that George is concerned over Lennie’s health. In the company and guidance of George, Lennie thrives in life and gets along very well for the most part. It’s just the talking. Many of the other characters are searching for companionship but are unable to find it. George agree's to look after Lennie when Lennie's aunt Clara dies. pee help sheet. The simple fact that they travel together in an age where men kept to themselves showed friendship. Home Economics: Food and Nutrition (CCEA). GEORGE "O.K. Their relationship is pivotal and underlines the main theme of friendship in the novel, which led to Steinbeck focusing so much on the friendship of the two men. In Of Mice and Men, the themes of dreams, loneliness and companionship are explored. Well, I never seen one guy take so much trouble for another guy. Read more. One of Lennie's biggest concerns is that of a continued friendship with George. Lesson analysing how George and Lennie are presented in Chapter 1. , Steinbeck explores companionship through: George and Lennie’s commitment to each other, the other men’s lack of understanding of George and Lennie’s friendship, the way that lonely characters crave friendship, George and Lennie’s friendship sets them apart, The way that Lennie repeats this sentence to George demonstrates that he has learnt it through saying it many times, as he cuts George off to complete this. He presents it like a parent and child relationship, with George being the parent and Lennie the child. Also includes planning sheet and model essays. Even though George sometimes gets annoyed with Lennie, their friendship is the most important thing in both of their lives and it means that they protect each other. . And when it rains in the winter, we’ll just say the hell with goin’ to work, and we’ll build up a fire in the stove and set around it an’ listen to the rain comin’ down on the roof—Nuts! Free. The author John Steinbeck presents the relationship between the two characters, George and Lennie in different ways as they are both different characters and have different personalities. Also, both Lincoln City and Barrrrrrrrrrnett are on the up! As the half-witted Lennie dutifully intones, the two men are distinguished from all of the other characters in the story \"because I got you to look after me, and yo… Somehow putting the two opposites together, they always make it work. About this resource. Throughout the story, Lennie and George need each other and look out for one another no matter what. The dream was a hope that every, rancher had an opportunity for a better life. Lennie and George’s friendship and journey throughout the story symbolizes the struggles to achieve the American dream. George treats lennie like his son all the way through the book quote “OK. Generally actions and descriptive words attached to Lennie show a lack of confidence and maturity, for example words such as ‘dabbled’ and ‘timidly’ displays Lennie’s hesitancy and unassertiveness, whilst George on the other hand has words adverbs such as ‘sharply’ and ‘gently’ which suggests that he is thinks a lot before all his actions. This reveals the crucial power … Lennie and George’s father and son like relationship is clearly one of love, although from the beginning we sense George’s frustration due to Lennie’s constant childish behaviour. It ain’t the same if I tell it. Of Mice and Men - George and Lennie seem to have a very close friendship throughout the story. pee help sheet. Lennie and George’s friendship is the central focus of Of Mice and Men —even as it is presented as a total anomaly in a world where individualism, distrust, and the struggle for survival define the social landscape. Lennie causes George many hardships, but George still loves him regardless. They relay on each other and their dreams together. The other men cannot understand the relationship between George and Lennie. Of Mice and Men George and Lennie seem to have a very close friendship throughout the story. Sign in, choose your GCSE subjects and see content that's tailored for you. George also carries Lennie's work card, knowing that Lennie would lose it. Companionship in Of Mice and Men is primarily demonstrated through the friendship of George and Lennie, as there are no other meaningful relationships between people in the book. How I get to tend the rabbits. For example, when Lennie does not remember things that George tells him, George becomes impatient and scolds Lennie, almost treating him like a dog. This means that their relationship was under a lot of strain. ", "Well," said George, "we’ll have a big vegetable patch and a rabbit hutch and chickens. The reliance that George and Lennie have on one another is able to emphasize on how it is only the friendship between the two of them which allows them to survive. The relationship between Lennie and George is very close throughout the novel, and is set in the 1930s depression years in America. Lennie is portrayed as animalistic and childish through his behavior and Steinbeck’s comparisons. George and Lennie are affected in different ways in their relationship. The true trials of friendship become apparent throughout the book. This demonstrates the way in which the men on the ranch are unable to fully appreciate the benefits of companionship as they have been isolated for so long. (Boss speaking to George about Lennie). Throughout the novel their friendship is affirmed as Lennie states, "Because because I got you to look after me and you got me to look after you,". It’s just bein’ with another guy. Lennie saying ‘I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you. But not us! George may be terse and impatient at times, but he never strays from his primary purpose of protecting Lennie. This essay will explore how Steinbeck presents Lennie and George’s companionship throughout “Of Mice and Men”. It’s just bein’ with another guy. How is George and Lennie’s relationship presented as different to others on the ranch? Lennie's feelings are much like that of a normal person when you take into consideration that he is mentally retarded. The friendship that George and Lennie have in the novel Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck is a relationship of inter-dependence. They are trying to raise enough money to buy their own ranch, by working as ranch hands. The other men on the ranch are suspicious of George and Lennie’s relationship and do not seem able to understand that it is a straightforward friendship. George is like Lennie's carer and goes along with what is happening. It’s just the talking. We again see the idea of Lennie being like a child when on page sixteen he wants a story told to him again. Lennie and George are substantially various from the other cattle ranch employees generally unlike the employees who are all revealed to be lonesome, George and Lennie have each other. The novel Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck, is about two ranch hands, George and Lennie. John Steinbeck uses description as a method to emphasise the unusual nature of the friendship between George and Lennie, “Behind him walked hi opposite, a huge man, shapeless of face, with large, pale eye…”. Copyright © 1999 - 2020 GradeSaver LLC. He does not pay attention to Lennie's mental capacity as often or as much as he should. Many of the characters are lonely and searching for companionship. Lennie and George’s friendship is necessary to keep the better for each other. The loneliest characters on the ranch are Candy, Crooks and Curley’s wife. Because... because I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you, and that’s why. Info. George and Lennie’s friendship was the only friendship evident in the text. He plans Lennie’s life as well … Their relationship is very complicated as it changes all the time. This implies that George has feelings for Lennie. I said what stake you got in this guy? "An’ have rabbits. ", "No…you tell it. ", "Why’n’t you do it yourself? Firstly, in “Of Mice and Men”, friendship is presented through body language between Lennie and George. George can tell you screwy things, and it don’t matter. He explains the need to have contact with others, no matter how meaningless it may be. 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