The author makes it clear that George finds it hard to kill Lennie because of his actions towards his life long friend. Firstly, he makes Lennie take of his hat so he can, 1) see were to shoot him and 2) as a sign of respect. "Take off your hat Lennie, the air feels fine." The George tells him one last time the about their dream, the dream that has kept George sane as he embarks on his adventures to Weed and Soledad. While using the dream as a distraction and a way to buy more time, he plucks up the courage to shoot Lennie. This displays how hard it must have been for George to shoot Lennie. He then tells Lennie to look across the river so he won't have to perceive George shooting him. "No, Lennie, look down there across the river" This is also how the author make it clear that George finds it difficult to kill Lennie his life long companion.
Lennie James
Lennie James
Lennie JamesThe final words and actions of George show he was guilty, but tried to reassure Lennie that he still cared about him and nothing was ever going to change that. "I aint mad, I never been mad, an I aint now, that's the thing I want you to know". It will be a comforting thought for Lennie to know after all he did, the only one in the world who took care of him, still loves him.
George's conscience at the end seem as though it's trying to hold him down and not shoot Lennie. "George raised the gun and steadied it". This suggests that George's hand was shaking, probably violently, this made it hard for him to shoot Lennie. This is another way the author make it clear that George finds it difficult...
Another good example of an exercise.
You people obviously aren't reading this work - there is nothing wrong with it. No, it's not strictly an essay, but it's a good example of an exercise for someone working on "Of Mice and Men".
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