Of Mice and Men By: John Steinbeck Life lived alone and friendless can sometimes be a painful thing. That's why I think a theme that stands out greatly in this book is friendship. There is a special comity between Lennie and George. George is like a parental figure, to Lennie. He is cautious and guides Lennie. He never abandons Lennie no matter what stupid and irking things he does. For example, when Lennie complains about simple things like wanting some ketchup, George gets mad but he doesn't leave him and make Lennie go find a cave to live in. Also I think George has a lot of patience with him, every time Lennie asks about the future and their own land and farm, George recites the goal every time. George also understands Lennie better then anyone else, he knows Lennie doesn't mean to kill the mice, or kill Curley's wife.
Lennie James
Lennie James
Lennie JamesAlso, he murders Lennie to give him a more merciful death than he would suffer from Curley, I think proves there is friendship between them. On the other side, Lennie trusts George and knows he will take care of him. A quote from Lennie says quite a bit, "I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you."ÃÂ Candy and his sheepdog also have a unique friendship. Candy had taken care of him ever since he was a little puppy. He let Carlson kill him out of mercy because he was old and suffering. It took a lot for Candy to let him go and it shows that he really cared about the sheepdog and about their friendship. When George and Lennie first came to the ranch Slim was very friendly and understanding towards them. He wasn't like the other men who worked there. He...