How Does George Kill Lennie's Death

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“The hand shook violently, but his face set and his hand steadied. He pulled the trigger” (Steinbeck 106). In Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck, George Milton and Lennie Small are life long companions, until events take a turn for the worst, and George has to take the life of his mentally disabled friend. Many people thought that George’s actions were an act of euthanasia, that George was simply trying to help Lennie, and do the best for him. On the contrary, others argue that George shooting Lennie in the back of the head was an act of murder. However, George’s actions were definitely meant to be merciful, and Lennie’s death was not murder. It was better for Lennie to be killed by George, than any other possible scenario, that came into play. A significant example of Lennie’s death being euthanasia would be that if George did not shoot Lennie, Curley and Carlson would have murdered Lennie instead. Curley and Carlson did not like Lennie, and once news got out that Lennie killed Curley’s wife, they threatened him, and began to chase Lennie down. Curley threatened Lennie, “ I’ll shoot in the guts. Come on, you guys” (Steinbeck 96). Curley was still angry about Lennie crushing his hand. Curley and Carlson also would not have made Lennie’s death as peaceful as George did. Due to …show more content…
He had your gun." (Steinbeck 107). Although, Lennie did not want to die, if George didn't kill him, Curley and Carlson were already coming after Lennie. Lennie also would have gone to jail, if he wasn't killed.1111 Lennie could have been locked up in some sort of mental hospital, as well, since the mentally disabled weren't accepted in the 1930s and there wasn't any other alternative treatment. George did what he had to do to help Lennie, which is why Lennie's death was through acts of