George and Lennie Companionship

One mutual benefit in George and Lennie’s somewhat complicated relationship is companionship. Both George and Lennie have no home, they are constantly on the go, away from their families, and are always on the search for new jobs. These harsh living factors lead people to loneliness and misery. But George and Lennie travel, live, and work together. This makes their uneasy lifestyle a little bit easier. Sometimes you just need to know that someone is with you. Sometimes just hearing someone else breathing beside you makes you feel a little better, for misery loves company. Knowing that your partner is going through the same hardships you are going through, makes it a little less stressful. “Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world. They got no family. They don’t belong no place. They come to a ranch an’ work up a stake and then they go inta town and blow their stake, and the first thing you know they’re pounding their tail on some other ranch. They ain’t got nothing to look ahead to (pg 13).” Even though George might get irritated with Lennie’s slow wit, and Lennie with George’s temper, they both need each other. They might not like each other’s companionship, but they need it.
Samar Al Ansari
Grade 10.3
Jan. 6, ‘04