Investigating Themes in Of Mice and Men

Investigating Themes in Of Mice and Men

2.)  What kind of relationship do George and Lennie have?  Is their relationship a friendship?  How does this relationship express Steinbeck’s position on the individual versus the community? 

I think Lennie and George have a follower and leader relationship. Maybe like older brother and younger brother, or even bear and a cub, George obviously being the older one while Lennie is the younger. One is following the other most of the time.

           

 I wouldn't call it a friendship,I would they are forced to be with each other, but then again     they also need each other

i think it shows that they need eachother to survive in the community.

Picturing the history behind of mice and men

"For a moment the place was lifeless, and then two men emerged from the path and came into the opening by the green pool.
     They had walked in single file down the path, and even in the open one stayed behind the other. Both were dressed in denim trousers and in denim coats with brass buttons. Both wore black, shapeless hats and both carried tight blanket rolls slung over their shoulders. The first man was small and quick, dark of face, with restless eyes and sharp, strong features. Every part of him was defined: small, strong hands, slender arms, a thin and bony nose. Behind him walked his opposite, a huge man, shapeless of face, with large, pale eyes, with wide, sloping shoulders; and he walked heavily, dragging his feet a little, the way a bear drags his paws. His arms did not swing at his sides, but hung loosely.
     The first man stopped short in the clearing, and the follower nearly ran over him. He took off his hat and wiped the sweat-band with his forefinger and snapped the moisture off. His huge companion dropped his blankets and flung himself." (1.2-4)

I think I Can connect this quote to the picture of the man walking alone down the highway road.I believe they mightn't been looking for  work and when they had found it he jus in amazement as if he had juts found the gates of heaven, I think you can also kinda compare this to the picture of the 15 year old and his grandma. I think you can compare those because they have travelling companions and i think traveling companions is probabliy a common thing back then because everyone was looking for a new job so it wouldn't be unusual to see your best friend looking with you