Discuss How Steinbeck Presents George and Lennie’s Relationship in Sections 1 and 2

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Discuss how Steinbeck presents George and lennie’s relationship in sections 1 and 2 Steinbeck portrays the relationship between George and Lennie as very complex. Both offer different tributes towards the balance of their relationship and both receive benefits from being close travelling partners. He presents different aspects of their relationship in sections one and two. George and Lennie are an unusual pair within the novella, from the beginning Steinbeck sets the two men apart, telling us how “they walked in single file” and “even in the open, one stayed behind the other” these are the first signs that one man is more dominant than the other in the relationship, though Steinbeck then adds a twist by describing the first character to be “small and quick” whereas “behind him walked his opposite, a huge man” this is unusual because we would have imagined that the bigger man would have been in front as the leader to protect his companion. Steinbeck uses their appearances to show how completely different these two men are. George is said to have “sharp features” and Lennie is described to be “shapeless of face” this tells us that George is has a sharp intelligent mind while Lennie is simple and forgetful which helps us to understand why George travels in front and is also the leader. Steinbeck then tells us that George and lennie are dressed in “denim trousers and denim coats” the typical uniform for migrant workers. In the 1930s migrant workers travelled alone as it was easier to find work for one, and were said to be “the loneliest men on earth” the fact that George and Lennie travel together highlights the strangeness and importance of this unlikely friendship. From the start of the dialogue Steinbeck introduces a father and son relationship as George looks after Lennie by carrying his work card and bus ticket. As Lennie, who has the mentality of a
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