Relationship between George and Lennie Flashcards
“But not us…Because… because I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you”
This is a timeless definition of friendship: somebody to listen to, somebody that cares and looks out for you. It’s notable, too, that though George is the one who gives the speech, he’s clearly worked in the fact that both men rely on and look after each other. Reminds the reader that George also needs Lennie in his life.
‘Lennie…imitated George exactly.’
Lennie’s childlike behaviour is shown here as he copies everything George does like a child does a parent. Implies that he doesn’t trust himself to act properly and that he is very dependent on George to ensure that he can fit into society
“With us it ain’t like that. We got a future. We got somebody to talk to that gives a damn about us”
George reminds Lennie that they are extremely lucky to have each other since most men do not enjoy this comfort, especially men like George and Lennie, who exist on the margins of society. Their bond is made to seem especially rare and precious.
“In a panic, lennie looked at george”
“Well, I never seen one guy take so much trouble for another guy”
“They walked in single file, one stayed behind “
the other.”
George is dominant, lennie is incapable of looking after himself. George is a parental figure and lennie is dependant .
“think i’d let you carry your own work card?”
rhetorical question, shows frustration with lennies simple mind. infers past problems . Work card is the only valuable possession they have, George has to maintain that too.
“I could get along so easy and so nice if I didn’t have you on my tail” - PAGE 24
Lennie restrains and holds back George, yet George feels a sense of duty and responsibility to look after Lennie, indicating the selfless nature of George’s character.
” I was only foolin George’, I don’t want no ketchup
GEORGE’S NEED TO CARE FOR LENNIE -
This scene is very saddening, as it brings to light how clueless Lennie is, and how socially unaware he is. It provokes sympathy for Lennie.
