There are many acts of friendship and sacrifice displayed throughout the book Of Mice Men. The author, John Steinbeck, demonstrates friendship between two migrant workers, Lennie and George. Lennie and George are different from most migrant workers because they travel together not alone. Of Mice and Men, shadows the lives of George and Lennie as try to achieve the american dream of owning their own land and livestock. George and Lennie work to achieve their dream by working successfully on a ranch in California until Lennie kills Curley’s wife accidentally. Sacrifice and friendship is exhibited when George kills Lennie at the end of the book. George gives Lennie a more peaceful death, but in return he has to live in isolation without his best friend. The previous statements are justification for, in fact George is right to have killed Lennie. Readers are prepared for the killing of Lennie by George when Candy decides to let Carlson shoot his dog. Candy later reveals his regret by stating, “‘I ought to of shot that dog myself, George. I shouldn’t ought to of let no stranger shoot my dog.’”(61). If George left Lennie’s killing up to the other men that worked on the ranch, Lennie would have likely had a more gruesome death. If George had made decided not to take responsibility and shoot Lennie, he …show more content…
George was very successful in putting Lennie’s mind at ease with the story of the ranch and the following quote. “‘No,’ said George. ‘No, Lennie I ain’t mad. I never been mad, an’ I ain’t now. Le’s get that place now.’”(106). After George was sure that Lennie was satisfied, George knew that he had to kill Lennie himself. If George had not put Lennie at peace with his statement, Lennie’s thoughts would have been encompassed by the idea that George was angry at him. Lennie would have suffered an unnecessary amount without the comfort from his idol