Analyses of the literary work “Of Mice and Men.”
Paraphrased and Unified Version:
The novel “Of Mice and Men” revolves around the story of two men who have a strong desire to own their own ranch. Despite having different personalities, George Milton and Lennie Small are very close friends who not only work together but also travel together while overcoming any challenges they face. Throughout the book, it is evident that George and Lennie share a special bond, particularly through their shared dream of living on a farm, which represents their idealized friendship. The author John Steinbeck uses the various characters in the novel to emphasize the significance of genuine friendship by highlighting recurring themes of loneliness and the longing for companionship. Each character in the story seeks meaningful relationships as they yearn for connection. Steinbeck’s main message focuses on the brotherly love between Lennie and George, portraying an ideal form of male friendship. In section one, George explicitly acknowledges how important Lennie is in his life. Despite moments of impatience and frustration, George understands that their line of work leaves them feeling lonely, making them among the loneliest people in the world without family ties. Quotes from Steinbeck (14) indicate that both George and Lennie lack a sense of belonging but find solace in their friendship. Even though George may complain at times, he highly values Lennie as his closest companion, just like how Lennie feels about him.
This quote also demonstrates the strong friendship between Lennie and George. Lennie expresses his dependence on George, stating that George is his whole world. In section three, George explains that although Lennie is often a nuisance, he has become accustomed to his presence and cannot imagine getting rid of him. This dialogue highlights the bond of friendship between the two characters, as George is willing to stay with Lennie even without a significant reason. Steinbeck uses this conversation to emphasize the theme of friendship, showing that people can be friends without any specific rationale. This quote holds significant meaning for me because it illustrates George’s inability to live without Lennie’s companionship.
The reason for their strong bond is due to the compatibility of their personalities. In section three, the boss expresses confusion about George and Lennie’s relationship, stating, “Well, I never seen one guy take so much trouble for another guy. I just like to know what your interest is (Steinbeck, 45).” This comment illustrates the boss’s inability to comprehend the unconditional friendship between George and Lennie, as he views it as George taking advantage of Lennie. Steinbeck emphasizes the intense friendship between the two characters through the boss’s confusion. The boss’s reaction highlights the rarity of such a relationship, conveying Steinbeck’s underlying theme of friendship and the scarcity of true companionship among people. Additionally, in section five, Crooks exposes how isolating loneliness can drive one to madness. Unable to have his reality validated by others, he laments, “‘A guy needs somebody—to be near him.’ He whined, ‘A guy goes nuts if he ain’t got nobody (Steinbeck, 72).” Crooks’ yearning for companionship reinforces the significance of George and Lennie’s relationship. The other characters in the story envy their bond and also confess to experiencing loneliness throughout the narrative.Throughout the development of the story, various characters, including Candy, Crooks, and Curley’s wife, express their profound sense of loneliness. Each of these characters longs for a companion to help alleviate their feelings of isolation. Loneliness plays a significant role in the lives of several characters. Candy experiences loneliness after losing his beloved dog. Curley’s wife feels alone because her husband does not meet her expectations, resulting in her seeking attention from other men on the ranch and fueling Curley’s growing jealousy. Interestingly, even the friendship between George and Lennie originates from a place of loneliness. As Steinbeck writes, “A guy goes nuts if he ain’t got nobody. Don’t make no difference who the guy is, long’s he’s with you” (Steinbeck 72). The author reinforces this theme by setting the story near Soledad, which ironically means “solitude” in Spanish. Despite these various elements painting a tone of loneliness throughout the story, I personally view the overall narrative as emphasizing the importance of friendship. Ultimately, it is the bond between George and Lennie that truly defines the conclusion of the story – the tragic death of Lennie. If friendship were not the primary theme that Steinbeck intended to convey, then the ending would not have taken such a direction.
In conclusion, the author Steinbeck emphasizes the importance of friendship in the book. Through characters like Crooks, Candy, and Curley’s wife, Steinbeck portrays the negative impact of loneliness on one’s life. The friendship between George and Lennie is unique and stands out among the other characters, highlighting its significance. As they navigate the challenges of the Great Depression, their bond becomes their only solace and support. Moreover, George’s responsible nature and dream-driven mindset contribute to his commitment to their friendship and aspiration for a better future. However, the story concludes tragically with Lennie’s death and the heartbreaking separation between George and Lennie.
