FRIENDSHIP –OF MICE AND MEN
GEORGE BENEFITS FROM FRIENDSHIP WITH LENNIE
· Lennie is a great worker
· Protects George- tall, strong
· They both have each to talk to- share thing with- dream "Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world. They got no family. They don't belong no place....With us it ain't like that. We got a future. We got somebody to talk to that gives a damn about us." Chapter 1, pg. 13-14
· George has a sense of purpose, responsibility
STEINBECK EMPHASISES UNUSUAL NATURE OF FRIENDSHIP BETWEEEN LENNIE AND GEORGE.
· End of novel – George shoots Lennie- wants him to die happy – instead of Curley shooting him "'Never you mind,' said Slim. 'A guy got to sometimes.'" Chapter 6, pg. 107.
· George and Lennie- two halves that work well together – G’s brains, L’s physical
· Always asked how unusual their friendship is "'Ain't many guys travel around together,' he mused. 'I don't know why. Maybe ever'body in the whole damn world is scared of each other.'" Chapter 2, pg. 35.- says Slim
o Boss suspicious
o Curley- lack of understanding
· Crooks envious & jealous of friendship "'A guy needs somebody-to be near him.' He whined, 'A guy goes nuts if he ain't got nobody.'" Chapter 4, pg. 72.
o Crooks reveals how easy it is to feel crazy when you are alone.
o So desperate for companionship that he is appreciative of someone who cannot understand him or converse with him. He understands now that this is the reason why George keeps Lennie around him.
· When Carlson kills Candy’s dog, he says to George "I ought to of shot that dog myself, George. I shouldn't ought to of let no stranger shoot my dog." Chapter 3, pg. 61.
· Candy feels – friends should look out for each other- he didn’t with his dog
· Carlson doesn’t care about Candy’s feeling and love towards his dog- Carlson’s never had a companion- never felt love towards anything
CURLEY’S WIFE WANTS COMPANIONSHIP
· Curley's wife tries repeatedly to assure Lennie that it's okay for him to talk to her. Like most of the characters in the book, she also feels a need for companionship. Her self-centered and aggressive husband does not fill this need.
SLIM IS RESPECTED ON THE FARM
· Slim comes across very differently than the other men. Friendly and understanding, invites George into a conversation and he says:
o "'Ain't many guys travel around together,' he mused. 'I don't know why. Maybe ever'body in the whole damn world is scared of each other.'" Chapter 2, pg. 35.
· Slim is much more open than most of the men on the ranch- contrast to Curley, whose can only communicate with fighting. Curley will push his wife away, whereas Slim attempts to construct a relationship with George the first chance he gets. The men - deep respect for Slim, and his opinion is the final word on any subject.
