Arguably,killsfor multiple reasons. Though
the most obvious reason is to save Lennie from the the mob, there are several other factors we
might want to consider. The following list are some alternative ideas I have thought up. Not all
of these are the most plausible scenarios, but they are interesting to think about.
- The reason most commonly offered is that George wants to save Lennie
from being tortured by the pursuing lynch mob. This is probably valid, but it does not explain
why he doesnt help Lennie escape. Lennie is hiding on the bank of a shallow river. The two men
could wade across the river and climb into the Gabilan Mountains. The lynch mob might never even
think of looking for them up there. Even if the mob finally guessed they had fled into the
mountains, George and Lennie would have too much of a head start, and it would soon be getting
dark. According to Lennie, the mountains have many caves. A mob would have to search each cave,
and in the meantime the fugitives could be getting farther away. -
George didnt intend to help Lennie escape. This is proved conclusively by the fact that he stole
Carlsons Luger from under his bunk at the ranch. He intended to kill Lennie as painlessly as
possible, just as he had seen Carlson kill Candy's dog with a single shot. When George saw the
body of Curleys wife in the barn, he assumed, like all the other men, that Lennie had tried to
rape her and had unintentionally killed her while they were struggling. George realizes that
Lennie is becoming a menace to society and that he would probably kill other girls if allowed to
live in freedom. - This is the first time Lennie has killed a human
being (although he has killed lots of animals). George is in some danger of being charged as an
accessory to second-degree homicide. He told Lennie where to hide if he got into trouble. If he
tried to help his friend escape, he would definitely be an accessory to murder. George is also
potentially in double-trouble. Curley suspects him of helping Lennie escape and telling him
where to go. The police could arrest George just because he was a friend of Lennie and was
responsible for Lennie's behavior. If they couldn't catch Lennie they might turn on
George--either the lynch mob or the police, or both. After all, George was not responsible for
what Lennie did in the town of Weed, and yet George's life was equally in jeopardy. George is
getting fed up with being tied to an irresponsible man who could get him killed. Many of us have
had the experience of deciding to break off relations with a friend who keeps causing us
trouble. There are plenty of such people! - George feels guilty for
the death of Curleys wife. In fact, he really is guilty because he brought Lennie to that ranch
and the girl would still be alive if he hadnt brought Lennie there. He is Lennies caretaker. He
is responsible for any kind of trouble Lennie gets intoand he is beginning to realize that
Lennie is growing into more of a problem than he is competent to handle. - George wants to rid himself of a big burden. He cant handle the stress
anymore. When he kills Lennie with the Luger he has mixed feelings, which include pity, sorrow,
and remorse, but also a vast relief. He frequently abuses Lennie verbally, telling the childish
giant that he could enjoy a much happier life if only he were free of him. Lennie is a burden
because he is always getting into trouble and also because he has to be watched all the time.
Lennie has caused George to lose jobs, and jobs are hard to come by. Lennie almost got both of
them lynched by assaulting a girl in Weed. - George is angry at
Lennie. He feels sorry for Curleys dead wife. She was just a girl. She should have had a chance
to live out her whole life and not have it snuffed out the way Lennie had killed his puppy and
so many other small animals. George kills Lennie for the same reason that the lynch mob wants to
kill him. George is really fed up with his companion. - George cant
turn Lennie over to the authorities with the hope that they would put him in an asylum. He
doesnt have the power to determine Lennies fate. If he could manage to get Lennie arrested
rather than lynched, the authorities would be likely to charge Lennie with murder. There would
be plenty of evidence that he had killed Curleys wife, and there would be plenty of witnesses to
testify that he was guilty. The motive would be attempted rape. Nobody saw what happened in the
barn. Lennie would be incapable of defending himself, and he wouldnt have much of a defense
anyway. He wouldnt let go of the girl, she started screaming and struggling, and he killed
her. - Lennie is showing many signs of rebelling against Georges
control. He lies to George, threatens to run away and live by himself, doesnt follow Georges
instructions, sometimes deliberately disobeys. (For example, George told him to have nothing to
do with Curleys wife.) George may be a little bit afraid of Lennie, and with good reason. A time
might come when Lennie might accidentally kill his keeper.
Steinbeck was a realist. His characters are not all good or all bad. George
shows his good side by looking after Lennie for a long time. He shows his darker side by
verbally abusing Lennie, by wanting to be rid of him, and finally by executing him. Lennie
himself seems like a gentle, likeable characterexcept that he kills everything he touches,
including his little puppy. Lennie is developing an interest in sex, and because of his feeble
mind and giant strength he is potentially a monster who needs to be destroyed. Slim is probably
the most faultless character in the story, but he is a member of the lynch mob. He wouldnt be
present at the ending if he hadnt come along with the mob. And there is no indication that he
had any intention of giving Lennie any kind of help.
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