Loyalty/Devotion
Loyalty and devotion both play a very big role in Of Mice and Men. You see loyalty with Candy and his dog, but you see more with George and Lennie. George is very loyal and devoted to Lennie. Candy was incredibly attached to his dog that he had ever since it was a little puppy. He sadly had to let him go. But, when it comes to George and Lennie, there is a whole new level of loyalty and devotion. There are a few times that Lennie offers to leave because he feels like he is being a bother to George.
In chapter one, George says, "When I think of the swell time I could have without you, I go nuts. I never get no peace." And then Lennie says, "George, you want I should go away and leave you alone?" (Steinbeck, 12). George indirectly tells him after that he does not want him to leave. He knows that he will not be able to survive on his own. George really cares about Lennie even though he may not show it very well. The quote shows very well that Lennie feels bad, but George keeps taking care of Lennie, even if he may not want to.
Critic Burton Rascoe describes how John Steinbeck uses the theme of loyalty and devotion in this quote: "George has encountered and embraced a responsibility, a social responsibility, a humanitarian responsibility. It is to take care of, protect, save from hurt, the dim-witted, loyal, and devoted Lennie" (337). I think that the quote really tells us how both Lennie and George are loyal and devoted. Lennie is devoted to his dream of the farm, the rabbits, and living off the fatta the lan'. George is devoted and loyal to Lennie. The one who takes care of Lennie. The one who has always been by Lennie's side. He really is a good guy for doing so.
In all, loyalty and devotion are a huge part of this book. John Steinbeck did a very nice job with making George seem like he didn't really care about Lennie, but at the same time showing that he loved Lennie to death. He really was loyal and devoted.
In chapter one, George says, "When I think of the swell time I could have without you, I go nuts. I never get no peace." And then Lennie says, "George, you want I should go away and leave you alone?" (Steinbeck, 12). George indirectly tells him after that he does not want him to leave. He knows that he will not be able to survive on his own. George really cares about Lennie even though he may not show it very well. The quote shows very well that Lennie feels bad, but George keeps taking care of Lennie, even if he may not want to.
Critic Burton Rascoe describes how John Steinbeck uses the theme of loyalty and devotion in this quote: "George has encountered and embraced a responsibility, a social responsibility, a humanitarian responsibility. It is to take care of, protect, save from hurt, the dim-witted, loyal, and devoted Lennie" (337). I think that the quote really tells us how both Lennie and George are loyal and devoted. Lennie is devoted to his dream of the farm, the rabbits, and living off the fatta the lan'. George is devoted and loyal to Lennie. The one who takes care of Lennie. The one who has always been by Lennie's side. He really is a good guy for doing so.
In all, loyalty and devotion are a huge part of this book. John Steinbeck did a very nice job with making George seem like he didn't really care about Lennie, but at the same time showing that he loved Lennie to death. He really was loyal and devoted.