Lennie is almost totally different to George. While George is quick-thinking Lennie is mentally very slow. Although he can be crafty with George because he knows him extremely well. He is also very childlike and is also frequently compared to animals during the text. As the introduction to the book says “George becomes Lennie’s defender – protecting him from others and himself.” Lennie definitely needs a protector and George is obviously a great friend to him. Lennie is very able to sense George’s mood and clearly knows just how to get around him normally by saying “’Cause I can jus’ as well go away George an’ live in a cave.” Lennie idolises George and memorizes nearly every word he says even though he remembers nothing else. Lennie is very loving and caring, especially towards George and later on he is proved to be very insecure.
Considering the personalities of the two characters it is clear why the boss is so suspicious of the way that George treats Lennie. George, being defensive of Lennie and their friendship says “He got kicked in the head by a horse when he was a kid. He’s awright. Just ain’t bright. This shows that he knows Lennie isn’t bright and he accepts it. It also shows that George is prepared to stick up for Lennie. The boss thinks that George is taking some of Lennie’s pay. The boss says “Say-what you sellin’?” and when George denies it the boss says “Well, I never seen one guy take so much trouble for another guy.” \this backs up an earlier comment made about how uncommon it was for guys (especially in this line of work) to be travelling together.
The other guys on the ranch are almost separated from George and Lennie. They realise that George and Lennie have a strong friendship. The guys on the ranch socialise in a group and although Slim is a man who is greatly respected, there are no two people who share a special bond such as George and Lennie. Candy is especially lonely. The lives of all these men seem to be repetitive. They do the same things everyday and this is why when Slim suggests going town there is a glimmer of excitement. I think that Lennie is slightly underestimated. He is someone who always tries his best and does what he feels is right. I think that they think he is kind, caring and hardworking event though he is mentally slow. Lennie tries to keep himself to himself in the bunkhouse. With George it is slightly hard to tell what the other guys think. Slim certainly respects George, after listening to what happened in Weed. They don’t really try to talk to him that much overall and I think that they just want to be friendly without getting too close to him.
The way that George treats Lennie at the start of the novel (Chapter One) is interesting. I think that the mist obvious side of George’s personality come through in this section. His paternal nature towards Lennie is very distinct. During the first chapter in particular George’s common sense shows through yet again. “Lennie, for God’s sake don’t drink so much” and “I ain’t sure it’s good water” are just two occasions in which Lennie considers none of these things George does and treats him just like a parent would.
When Lennie has the mouse George uses his persuading techniques to get the mouse from him. He realises that it could be a safety hazard while Lennie just thinks it’s a pet. When Lennie goes across the river to get another mouse George realises that his feet are wet and knows what he has been doing. He is sensitive to Lennie’s feelings and knows that he means no harm. Sometimes George just gets fed up with Lennie’s slowness and snaps easily. A good example of this is when Lennie says “I like ‘em with ketchup” George explodes and calls Lennie a “Crazy son-of-a-bitch.” Even though George is really angry Lennie still manages to get around this by saying “I could go in the hills there” as he says whenever George is angry. Both George and Lennie know that he would never do that but it still softens George and puts him in a good mood again.
Lennie acts like a child and George treats him like one. “Snorting like a horse” and “his big paw” make Lennie come across as animal-like as well as child-like in the first chapter. Throughout the novel Lennie is referred to as an animal. The final way in which George tries Lennie like a child in the first chapter is when George tries to get Lennie involved and sends him to get some wood. Lennie gets the same pleasure out of doing such a simple task as a child would. He gets a feeling of belonging and by doing this Lennie actually feels like he is needed. George tries to keep his mind active by doing this.
The most important factor to consider when answering this question is what George gets out of the friendship. He says to Slim “We kind look after each other” and he also says that Lennie makes him look good. We also know that George promised Lennie’s Aunt Clara that he would look after Lennie well. That however is a reason why he is friends with Lennie and not something he necessarily gets out of the relationship. The real reason is that without Lennie George would be lonely and this is why at the end of the novel Steinbeck shows George to be totally unselfish when he shoots Lennie.
Personally, I think that the friendship is a slightly uncommon one. Both are very different characters however the friendship seems to work very well. Lennie gets a father figure to look after him from the friendship who treats him with respect. Although he often snaps at Lennie, George can never stay angry at Lennie for long as Lennie’s slightly comical I could just go into the hills… line always wins him round. They both depend on each other a\nd their friendship is one of strength, loyalty and respect. They both realise what the other means to them and they know that what they have between them is virtually unheard of. Lennie cling to George’s every word and admires him immensely. They both know when they have pushed their luck with one another and sense each other feelings. I think there friendship is very sweet and almost comical at times. Without each other they would both be lonely and George’s final act was one of total love, respect and admiration for his friend.