Friendship and Human Morality in John Steinbeck’s of Mice and Men

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Friendship and Human Morality in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men
There comes a time in our lives when the harder decisions we have to make are also the moral ones. In John Steinbeck’s novel Of Mice and Men George is faced with the most dreadful decision on whether or not to end Lennie’s life and chooses the moral solution on behalf of Lennie’s own good and well being. George’s decision in killing Lennie is a true definition of human morality and friendship, because not only does he give up his own happiness for Lennie but gives him a much happier and painless death and freedom from the world Lennie truly couldn’t succeed in, giving off,” A sense not of realism but of reality” as stated in R.W.B Lewis’ article “John Steinbeck the Fitful Daemon” (512). Throughout the novel readers come to learn that Lennie and George have been together for years, George being Lennie’s primary caretaker. He goes about living a life it seems he doesn’t want and goes without little reward for the task he has taken (besides friendship and a friend in Lennie). Even when he treats Lennie harshly, because of the life Lennie has taken from him, he shows restraint and resistance when it actually comes to getting rid of him. The situation in which Lennie opts to move into a distant cave in the mountains George replies, “I want you to stay with me, Lennie… Your Aunt Clara wouldn’t like you running off by yourself, even if she is dead” (Steinbeck 12). Readers are show that there is a true deep connection, friendship, and bond between these two men; that George really does love and care for Lennie making his decision to end Lennie’s life. George had nothing but the safety and well being for Lennie at heart. Even though in Joseph Millichap’s Article “Realistic Style in Steinbeck’s and Milestone’s Of Mice and Men” he states that even though Lennie is portrayed through rabbits and his
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