Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

In his Novel Of Mice and Men Steinbeck describes vividly the hardship and especially the loneliness of people during the depression. In order to overcome these feelings, Candy, one of the main characters in the novel, takes care of on old, blind, and lame dog. At the same time, George and Lennie hold tightly to their friendship. We can find many parallels between the relationships between George and Lennie, and Candy and his old dog. The dog and Lennie are loyal partners in this lonely world; they are nuisance; and it was necessary for their partners to get rid of them in order to survive even though and the killing was a tragic, cruel act.

Lennie James

Lennie James

Lennie James

Candy and his dog, Lennie and George, each gain a sense of belonging by having a partner. Candy is an old worker who works for the farm for many years. He has a stable job, but what gives him a sense of belonging and love is his old, blind, lame dog. The friendship with the dog raises Candy's life to be more meaningful than just being alive and a survivor. The same thing is about the friendship between Lennie and George. Lennie needs George more than just to survive; he needs him to feel as if he belongs to someone and some future dream. As Lennie says 'because I got you too look after me, and I got you got me to look after you' (page 14) Partnership suggests some comfort and meaning in this lonely world.

Although Lennie and the dog are good and loyal partners, they are both nuisance. The old dog stinks badly and people in the farmhouse want Candy to get rid of him because his 'stink hangs around even after he's gone' (page 44).