Lennie's Companionship

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According to novelist Edith Wharton, every novel must have an “illuminating event”. This ideal holds true in regards to John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men. His story deeply expresses the human nature’s draw to and need for a form of companionship. The “illuminating event”, one that unlocks the main idea to the story, can certainly be pin pointed within the text. The context of the work until that point prepares the reader for the event. In Of Mice and Men, there is an immediate bond between characters Lennie and George. With Lennie’s mental condition he is increasingly reliant on George for protection, supervision, and advice throughout the story. George is not required to do anything he does for Lennie. He does it simply because of the bond …show more content…
The must work in order to fund their dream. On the ranch the reader can identify many different levels of companionship and how it effects the character. On the ranch the reader meets Curley and Curley’s Wife. The Wife is always searching for male companionship and says that her Curley offers none. The reader also meets Candy and his dog. Even though the dog is very old and smelly, Curley loves it anyway. There is a bond between the two yet to be broken. Just like George loves Lennie despite his downsides. We see a reoccurring connections between the two throughout the story. Later, after Candy’s dog begins the stink up the bunkhouse a fellow worker offers to shoot him. He says it will be, quick painless, and that Candy can have a free pup from his litter. Candy says no that the dog is fine, but after persistent nagging he caves. The dog is shot and Candy is very upset. At the time this scene is of little relevance, but latter it all fits. This is considered to be an “illuminating event”. In the end, the readers connects Lennie to Candy’s dog after finding out that George decided to shoot Lennie after he accidentally killed Curley’s wife. Lennie and the Dog both negatively impacted people and their companion made a decision based on what the world told them and not their own opinion. This event opens the reader’s eyes to the semblance behind the dog and Lennie and also between George and Candy. Their decisions made them unhappy, but they did what they though was right for others. Once they realize they are now alone in the world the longing for companion ship sets back
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