Lennie needs George. Does George need Lennie?

Ruth Davies

‘Of Mice and Men’- John Steinbeck

‘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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The ‘dream’ is one of these. Encompassed in the dream are not only ideals and feelings of freedom, self-respect, and the self-sufficiency of owning a ranch, but an idea of companionship. The first mention of the dream that Steinbeck provokes the reader to visualise begins with a contrast of other men on the ranch, and Lennie and George. George speaks at length of these men, distancing themselves from the lifestyles they lead- “…the loneliest guys in the world. They ain’t got nothing to look ahead to”. Oppositioning is used in the pronouns to separate and emphasise the differences – “They”/ “We”. Regarding Lennie and George, Steinbeck uses first person pronouns- “we”, “us”. They are shown to be different- “with us it isn’t like that. We got a future”. The theme of solitude that runs at the heart of the novel is one that includes Lennie and George, but with a subtle difference. They appear to be parallel to it, due to their companionship- “I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you”, reveals their dependency on one another. This is what the dream is about; getting a place to be free and to look after one another. It involves both Lennie and George, so the dream is one aspect that Steinbeck makes clear that both are reliant on each other. Also, in physically obtaining the ranch, both their efforts are needed to earn the money to purchase the ranch.

At the beginning of the novel, Steinbeck is vague and parts few details of the pair’s background. Hints of a suspicious air surrounding the two concerning their appearance in Solidad; Steinbeck implies that danger and trouble are in the essence of the subject- “They run us out of Weed”. Further on a clearer picture of why they fled is handed to the reader through George’s frustration toward Lennie- “just wanted to feel that girls dress.” George is portrayed by Steinbeck to be Lennie’s lifeline, his saviour that gets him out of trouble- “you do bad things and I gotta get you out”. Without George it would seem, Lennie would possibly been dead, due to his ‘bad’ (unintentional) misdeeds. George’s protection and care for Lennie comes through evidently in the ‘Weed situation’ as both flee together- “We got to hide in that irrigation ditch all day”. The question as to why George fled also arises- If he played no role in the fiasco then why should he leave? The answer to this, as presented by Steinbeck is George’s emotional attachment to Lennie, so much so that he leaves Weed with Lennie and ends up in Soledad. This is an example of the care, protection and sense of companionship that is felt by George in the relationship.

The issue of the pair’s friendship is an unusual one, questioned by various members of the ranch, e.g.- the boss- “I never seen one guy take so much trouble for another”. Automatically it is assumed that George’s intentions are sinister, showing the element of distrust evident in the society at the time the novel was set. Companionship is incomprehensible to these men on the ranch, “the loneliest guys in the world”, whose lack of understanding and empathy results in distrust and resentment to one another.

An exception to this is Slim, jerkline Skinner, the so-called “Prince of the ranch”, whose conscientious curiosity toward the friendship is not one laden with bitter hostility and snide undertones- “Funny how you and him string along together”. This calm invitation provokes George into revealing details of their past. It becomes apparent to the reader that the friendship initially sprung out of convenience- “When his Aunt Clara died, Lennie just came along with me out working”. A sense of George’s knowledge that he is dominant in the relationship evolves through his speech with Slim- “he’d do any damn thing I told him”. This reveals to the reader that through the friendship George achieves a boost of self-esteem. Lennie allows him to feel dominant and better about himself, “made me feel God damn smart alongside him”. In the past, this fact was abused by George- “I turns to Lennie and says ‘Jump in’!” Lennie’s naïve nature was taken advantage of; consequently, it is unveiled by Steinbeck, he “damn near drowned”. Guilt concerning this event perhaps played a role in sustaining the pair’s fellowship, as well as loneliness. George “ain’t got no people”, exactly like Lennie, whose Aunt Clara died; in reality meaning they both only have each other, thus Steinbeck indicating the affection felt between both parties is one with stems from this.

Textual evidence of their work is never shown by Steinbeck at any place in the novel, i.e. the reader is never taken out to the field where they ‘buck barley’, but several references to their work (especially Lennie’s) are made by various characters. Testaments are made regarding Lennie’s sheer, somewhat phenomenal strength by Slim- “He damn near killed his partner buckin’ barley…I never seen such a strong guy”. Lennie’s strength stands him in good stead for the type of work at the ranch, but for communication with other members on the ranch, he is heavily dependant on George. George on several occasions (by Steinbeck and other characters, e.g. Slim) is described as a “smart guy”. This gives indication to the reader of the two’s relationship; Lennie as the brawn, George as the brain. Together they work in a combination to produce a team that is almost extraordinary. Their work life is one area in which they are both reliant on each other strengths and flaws, making for imagery of the two being like ‘one phenomenal person’.

Lennie’s fight with Curley, a significant event in the novel is a turning point, and adds to the reader’s comprehension of their relationship. Primarily, when Curley unleashes his rage upon Lennie, it is George whom Lennie looks to for help- “Lennie looked helplessly at George”. Lennie’s instinctive reaction to fear is shown by Steinbeck as he does not react to Curley’s violence, he pleads “Make ‘um let me alone George”, giving the reader the sense of Lennie’s adoration of George and weariness of reacting unless told by George. This is indeed how the scene escalates. Lennie instantaneously obeys George’s imperative- “Get him”, and responds with an incredible destructive force. Imagery of a ‘dog and it’s master’ can be surmised by the reader. George is naturally portrayed as the ‘master’, taking control and exuding dominance. Lennie’s helplessness in the fight situation morphs eventually into control. Only when George gives the signal of “Leggo” is when Lennie frees his powerful grasp on Curley’s hand, again showing Lennie’s lack of control over his own actions; another example of his dependency upon George. George takes on the responsibility of consoling a distraught Lennie, portraying more parental/ child exchange between the two.

The ending of the novel sees more evidence of Lennie’s destruction, this time resulting in an unfortunate death (unwittingly committed by Lennie). The violence of Lennie is shown in the incident to escalate to disastrous consequences, as George is not there to dominate Lennie’s actions.

In the clearing where Lennie hides post the tragedy, his inner torment and anguish is announced by Steinbeck through a series of hallucinations that he experiences. These are symbolic of low self-esteem; they insult and offend him, however they are mere figments of his imagination. His worst fears are revealed- “He’s (George) going to leave ya, ya crazy bastard”. Significantly, Lennie then looks to George in his panic- “Oh George- George!” showing his reliance on the comfort of George in times of distress. The arrival of George ironically demolishes the demons- “the rabbit scuttled back into Lennie’s brain”, Steinbeck here introducing a disturbing insight into Lennie’s mind; without George this terror is unleashed. However, with George his sanity is resurrected, again more evidence suggesting Lennie’s neediness of George.

The death of Lennie is Steinbeck’s symbolism of the companionship. George’s sacrifice in shooting his long time friend can be felt purposely; much struggle can be seen through Steinbeck’s use of ellipsis, etc. Prior to the deed, George spends time re-establishing the bond between the pair. The closest expression to love in the novel features here- “I never been mad an’ I ain’t now”. A first person plural pronoun marks the demise of Lennie, the “We” used by Steinbeck to prove George’s wish for Lennie’s life to end reminded of the two’s unity.

With the destruction of Lennie comes the destruction of the dream. Though in reality George could still obtain the ranch, the meaning of the dream is lost- it was a shared dream, something adhered to for the pair to achieve. It is symbolic of companionship, and is at parallel to the theme of solitude in the novel. The dream, it would transpire, is no more for George at the ending of the novel.

Regarding the substantial evidence in the novel, I can conclude that both Lennie and George need each other, but for different reasons. Each achieves different objectives from the friendship. Lennie receives a ‘father figure’; someone to guide him and help him through the mental anguish that he suffers day-by-day. He needs George for basic, everyday essentials, and also to help him keep a grip on reality. Whilst on the other hand, George’s reliance upon Lennie is not a physical one. George gains not only a sense of responsibility and boost of ego to his mediocre existence, but a companion. Lennie and George are characters within the theme of solitude that contradict it also. They are set apart from the others by their unlikely friendship, and for very different reasons and gains are dependent upon each other.