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Of Mice and Men Essay

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The scene in which George shoots Lennie and the scene in which Carlson takes Candy’s dog away to kill it both add characterization to the novels theme of a person’s responsibility to another person. The novel of mice and men allows us to explore the relationship between George and Lennie. We also explore the relationship candy has with his dog. Candy’s responsibility over his dog is parallel to George’s over Lennie. Carlson cannot stand candy’s dog because it is old and smells badly it’s also arthritic. With candy’s consent Carlson takes the dog out on a thong leash and tells candy “He won’t even feel it.” Away Carlson shoots the dog with his gun and then buries it. Later candy confesses to George that he shouldn’t have let a stranger shoot his dog. Due to Lennie’s retardation Lennie accidently kills Curley’s wife. After the rest of the workers find out, they set out to find Lennie and kill him. George is stuck between turning his friend in to the police or letting curly and the rest of the workers kill Lennie. George decides that none of the two options will save Lennie from horrible consequences. Because candy expressed his remorse in not killing his own dog George decides to kill Lennie rather than have Lennie spend his life in jail. When George finds Lennie by the river he comforts Lennie. George tells Lennie to picture the farm they will buy and live off. As George tells the story he prepares himself to shoot Lennie. George uses the same gun Carlson used, to shoot candy’s dog. As the rest of the workers approach the area where Lennie and George are speaking, George shoots Lennie in the head. Both Lennie and the dog were no longer useful to society when they are killed. The theme in the novel is also explored in; Fox’s responsibility over Wesley In the movie Wanted. She takes her full responsibility by killing all the assassins, by curving the bullet, including her. Saving Wesley’s life would allow him to correct the fraternity of assassin’s role in society. Wesley then serves his purpose in remaining alive by killing Sloan, the fraternity’s leader. George took full responsibility of Lennie when he killed him out of mercy. Candy on the other hand didn’t take full responsibility of his dog because he let Carlson shoot his only companion and friend.
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