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Should George Have Shot Lennie Justified

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In the story Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, the author describes the many hardships of George and Lennie as they search for work so they can purchase a farm of their own. After Lennie mistakenly kills Curley's wife, George is faced with either murdering his life long best friend, or he could allow the villainous farmers to capture and torture Lennie. George was not justified in killing Lennie because they were great friends, and Lennie was not trying to cause any difficulties.
One reason George was wrong in shooting Lennie was because they were exceptional friends. While George was explaining this, he said, George says, “ With us it ain’t like that, we got someone to talk to that gives a “darn” about us” (Steinbeck 14). Since Lennie did …show more content…
However, Lennie was not trying to cause problems. After Lennie ran away, he was talking to himself in the forest and said, “I tried Aunt Clara, Ma’am. I tried and tried, but I couldn’t help it” (Steinbeck 101). He was apologetic for what he did, but only George listened to him. Another potential solution to their problem was to leave that town. Earlier in the book, they had ran away from the town where Lennie accidently got in trouble, causing the authorities to chase them. While Lennie was in hiding, he did not want to hurt George anymore, so Lennie said, “I’ll live there so I won't be no more trouble for George” (Steinbeck 101). Lennie was so shameful of what he did, he did not want to see his friend ever again. George did the right thing, and was there for Lennie when he needed him the most.
George was not justified in shooting Lennie because they were friends, and Lennie did not know any better. Lennie tried his hardest, but he caused some difficulties and then was forced to hide in the forest. Although George thought he knew what was best for Lennie, he should have tried to keep Lennie alive for as long as he could because that is what friends do for one

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