Similarities Between John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

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1. George kills Lennie by shooting him in the back of the head to save him from a more painful death at the heads of Curley, who has vowed to make him suffer for the death of his wife. George loves his friend Lennie, whom he has looked after faithfully, and he doesn't want Lennie to die horribly, especially since Lennie has unwittingly taken the life of Curley's wife in much the same way as he petted the puppy too hard or squeezed the mice to death. Lennie didn't know his own strength. When Curley's wife screamed, he didn't know how to make her stop except to do what he did, but he did not intend to kill her. Curley, of course, is also looking for a way to achieve revenge for Lennie's crushing his hand so he will definitely try to kill Lennie in the most cruel way possible. He says he will "gut shoot" him. George must save his friend by a mercy killing.…show more content…
It was the ultimate act of friendship and sacrifice, on George's part, to kill Lennie. He knew that Lennie would be lynched and hung for murdering Curley's wife. He also knew that Lennie didn't know any better, he had no idea the power of his own strength, he did not fully know the ramifications of what he had done, but he did know that it was bad and that he might get into trouble. George basically spared Lennie from a death filled with pain and suffering and Lennie almost had this moment of clarity when he knows what George has to do and he's ok with it. 3. George's killing of Lennie can be considered an act of mercy. Lennie is simply too strong and too impulsive to be easily controlled. Although Lennie wants to do the right thing, he is often the victim of his childlike responses to situations. Up until the time that Lennie kills Curley's wife, George has been able to control Lennie and keep his friend safe from the law. Yet, he cannot keep Lennie safe after the murdered woman is discovered. Therefore, he arms himself with Carlson's Luger and travels to the pond, where he knows he will find

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