Of Mice and Men Essay

Submitted By ChayseJango1
Words: 566
Pages: 3

Richardson,Chayse English 9 Period 6 9-11-13

It’s ok for mercy killing because, most of the time people can tell if someone is miserable so as long as you’re just putting them out of their misery it is ok. Mercy killing is ok in many ways. In the novel Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck suggests that mercy killing is ok. Mercy killing is acceptable because you’re just putting someone or something out of its misery. One example of is how George put Lennie out his misery before it could be painful. George loved Lennie, but he knew that, although Lennie had a tender and innocent manner, he could be violent. George knew that Lennie could get uncontrollable, somewhat like a wild animal. He murdered a girl and even though Lennie didn't understand what he did, he would have to answer for her death it isn't like the mice or the puppy that could just be replaced. George just couldn't turn Lennie over to the police; he knew that Lennie wouldn't be able to handle being separated from him. Even though Lennie was slower than George, he still had a big heart. In the end the reason why George killed Lennie is because George knew that it was more humane to end Lennie's life quickly, before the police or others like Curley who wanted revenge not justice might not be as merciful and quick so George did what he thought was right. This shows that George really cares about Lennie. This also shows that mercy killing is not acceptable. Another reason why mercy killing is acceptable because in most cases the person asks you to put them out of misery, you can just tell or you could tell the way they’re going to die will be painful. One example of how you can tell someone death will be painful if you don’t kill them is when George kills Lennie by shooting him in the back of the head to save him from a more painful death at the heads of Curley, who has vowed to make him suffer for the death