One of the first things that strikes out about their relationship is the fact that in almost every way, George Milton and Lennie Small are exactly the opposite. Firstly, Lennie is the bigger of the two yet George has the brains and is much much cleverer than Lennie. George, in the novel, is referred to as “Small and quick, dark of face, with restless eyes and sharp, strong features… Small strong hands, slender arms and a thin and boney nose.” The word “small” is used often to describe him and his features. Whereas Lennie on the other hand is “A huge man, shapeless of face, with large, pale eyes with wide, sloping shoulders… walked heavily dragging his feet a little, the way a bear drags his paws.” In the description of Lennie, everything is exact the opposite of how George has been described. George also does the thinking for them both within the team, for example, when they first arrive in the ranch, George makes sure that Lennie keeps his mouth shut when they talk to the boss. He is just making sure that Lennie doesn’t say something stupid and out of turn which could strip the men off their jobs. This goes to show that John Steinbeck wanted to illustrate to us how two guys with totally contradictory attributes can be such great friends and make such a great team.
The relationship is also made of resentment, which is only felt by George. He realizes how Lennie is holding him back from an easy life and how most of the time, George does nothing but get Lennie out of trouble. He doesn’t seem to have any fun of his own. It also mentions how Lennie always manages to mess up which leads George and him to be constantly moving around places trying to find themselves a job. He also at one time puts his own needs first and looses his dream. This is shown rather clearly when George goes into town and leaves Lennie behind to do as he pleases. He is not worried about what kind of trouble Lennie may get in to; all he is thinking about is having the chance to go out with the guys and have a good time. But he did not think of the consequences of his actions. Interestingly however, George has not even turned his back on Lennie or even rejected him. His anger leaves him suddenly and then feels ashamed, because he knows he needs to take care of George as he is not able to look after himself. This shows the love and companionship that they both share is truly very valuable.
Later on throughout the story Lennie asks George to “tell about the rabbits” and George shows us the brilliant companionship the two men share. “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 aint like that. We got somebody to talk to that gives a damn about us… if them other guys get in jail they can rot for all anybody gives a damn. But not us.” After George’s speech, Lennie breaks in exclaiming, “… an’ why? Because I got you to look after me and you got me to look after you…”
Lennie’s interruption shows passion inside him for the relationship they share, and also shows us loyalty between the two men, which wouldn’t have been expected of any man back in those times.
