Relationship between George and Lennie in Of Mice of Men

Throughout the book, George is continuously telling Lennie that if he were alone he "could live so easy." When Lennie gives his answer of leaving, George instantly jumps down Lennie’s throat and reminds Lennie that he "was jus’ foolin’" and wants Lennie to stay, therefore he evidently cares about Lennie and doesn’t want him to go off on his own. Admittedly, George’s life would have been much easier without him, for instance he says “…when the end of the month come I could take my fifty bucks and go into town and get whatever I want. …I could stay in a cat house all night. I could eat any place I want, hotel… get a gallon of whisky…”, if he were alone his life would be much easier and free, in addition to this George has to get Lennie out of numerous situations throughout the length of the book. As well as protecting Lennie, George also stood up for him when others said harsh things about him, or when they threatened to harm him. One time Slim claimed that he thought Lennie was a “cuckoo” and wondered why George traveled with him. In response, George defended Lennie, and he explained to Slim that although Lennie wasn’t very bright, he surely wasn’t crazy. He also added that it’s not that strange for two guys to be traveling with one another and that he and Lennie grew up together and just got used to each other after awhile. After Lennie killed Curley’s wife, George told Candy that he won’t let them hurt Lennie, and he also pleaded with Curley not to shoot and kill him. He tries to explain to him that Lennie didn’t mean any harm and that he didn’t know any better.

George and Lennie’s relationship is portrayed very clearly in scenes, in which George tells Lennie about their dream, a farm they one day plan to own. This piece of land represents a world in which the two men can live together just as they are, without dangers. As the novel progresses and their situation worsens, George and Lennie’s desire to attain the farm they dream about grows more desperate. Lennie believes unquestioningly in their dream, and his faith enables the cynical George to imagine the possibility of this dream becoming reality. In fact, George’s belief in it depends upon Lennie, for as soon as Lennie dies, George’s hope for a brighter future disappears.Their vision becomes so powerful that it will eventually attract other men, who will beg to be a part of it. George and Lennie have nothing in the world except each other and this dream, this dream is a crucial part of their life. Lennie believes in this dream and brings it up many times throughout the story. Referring back to the point, if Lennie does something he knows which is wrong instantly thinks of George’s disapproval, he also thinks that George won’t let him, "tend the rabbit’s no more".  

George reminds Lennie that they are extremely lucky to have each other since most men do not enjoy this comfort, especially men like George and Lennie, who exist on the margins of society. George tells Lennie, “We got a future. We got somebody to talk to that gives a damn about us. We don't have to sit in no bar-room blowin' in our jack jus' because we got no place else to go. If the other guys gets in jail they can rot for all anybody gives a damn. But not us.” Here George says, that George and Lennie are different because they have each other, and "an’ someone who gives a damn ‘bout us". Their companionship is what stave off the horrors of loneliness, throughout the book the reader discovers the loneliness of all the characters, for example Candy, Curly’s wife and Slim, George and Lennie, however, have each other whereas most of the secondary characters do not. George Is constantly reminding Lennie how lucky they both are to have each other.

George was cruel to Lennie at times, continuously told Lennie that life would be easier without him, but he did in fact care about him and his well being. In the book, there are many instances proving that George cared about Lennie. There are some occasions, which are evident of the fact that George does nice things for Lennie to make him happy. George knew that Lennie had always wanted a puppy of his own, so when he learned that Slim’s dog just had a litter he asked Slim himself if Lennie could have one. George used to lead Lennie on, telling him to do things he wasn't capable of, such as telling Lennie to jump into the Sacramento River, just to impress a group of guys. Lennie did jump in, despite the fact he couldn't swim at all. He almost drowned and it was a while before Lennie could be pulled out. After he was pulled out, he was incredibly grateful to George for pulling him out, completely oblivious to the fact that it was George who told him who primarily told him to jump in.