Lennie needs George. Does George need Lennie?

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Ruth Davies

‘Of Mice and Men’- John Steinbeck

Lennie needs George. Does George need Lennie?

‘Of Mice and Men’ by John Steinbeck is a novel encompassing several themes. It is a tale of two itinerant labourers (George Milton and Lennie Small), their unlikely friendship, and consequences to and from this.

Steinbeck introduces his characters together as companions, “they walked in single file”. It becomes obvious as we proceed that one of these men is clearly in charge. The man whom is “small and quick, dark of face”, (George) walks firstly along the face, the other “huge…shapeless of face” (Lennie) trails behind, imitating the leader’s actions- “the first man stopped short in the clearing and the follower nearly ran over him”. At only the outset, before the characters have even spoken, Steinbeck has revealed Lennie’s slow wittedness, a key idea when considering Lennie. The reader is given a sense of reliance of Lennie upon George (ironically disregarding their size), and the image of a ‘child following parent’ is portrayed almost immediately, which continues throughout the novel. George is evidently dominant in the relationship; he takes control of the situation, making all decisions, shown in the abundance of imperatives in his dialogue- “Don’t drink so much”, as commanded to Lennie. This links with Lennie’s slow wit and irrationality, revealing that he is heavily dependent on George for this reason. George takes on this ‘parental’ role comfortably. George seems also to be Lennie’s role model, due to imitations- “imitated George exactly”.

Steinbeck shows more evidence of reliance in George’s decision-making regarding basic essentials, such as when to eat, where to sleep… For example, it is George who decides the pair will sleep ‘al-fresco’- “Tonight I’m going to lay here”.

Lennie’s constant struggle through mental difficulties prevents him from living alone. Steinbeck hints that Lennie would be unable to survive without the help and guidance of George. George himself is unable to trust Lennie’s with his own possessions- “Think I’d let you carry your own work card”. This thought is amplified by Lennie’s short memory span; he doesn’t remember where they are headed to- “I forgot again”. Lennie needs George to remind him of situations, and even it seems in aiding his communication- Lennie is commanded to “say nothin’” to the boss at the ranch.

From the start, Steinbeck has shown how reliant Lennie is upon in George in practically every aspect of his life, whilst no major implications have been enforced to suggest George’s reliance on Lennie. In fact, Steinbeck reveals to his reader how better George feels his life would be better without Lennie- “I could get along so easy….if I didn’t have you on my tail”, Steinbeck hinting resentment toward his constant responsibility. Evidence later arises in the novel that this is not so, perhaps these are hasty, frustrated words spoken by George, without him truly meaning it. It is obvious that he cares deeply for Lennie, but occasionally becomes at his slow wit and lack of grasp on reality.

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When Lennie mentions leaving, “I should go away and leave you alone”, George retracts his hasty, “mean” words and soothes Lennie with the knowledge that he does actually want him- “I want you to stay with me Lennie”. This is Steinbeck’s first declaration to his reader that George does need Lennie. However, it is not a physical neediness like Lennie’s upon George, but an emotional dependence. Despite his irrational, immature mind, Lennie is George’s companion. The need for companionship is a human instinct (if not animal also), which George clearly gains through his relationship with Lennie. This idea is repeated ...

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