In the 1930s economic crisis, people had to move to California from different regions of America to escape business bankruptcy, severe destitution, and joblessness. This era, identified as the Great Depression, was instigated by consecutive droughts and crop disasters. Usually, mobile laborers journeyed solo to assorted farms for short-term jobs, continually shifting locations. These employees made just sufficient earnings for survival, making it difficult to set up their own farmsteads. Henceforth, employment at a farm emerged as the principal and most available work alternative for these migrant workers.
Despite the considerable obstacles in their path, most migrant workers nursed a common aspiration for a better existence. The feelings of solitude and alienation they often encountered resulted in tension and envy among them. Yet, George and Lennie were notably distinct from their peers. Th
...eir uniqueness lay in their refusal to journey alone, opting instead to remain as allies. They synergised impeccably; George's smartness was an excellent match for Lennie's physical might and aptitude for ranch work, leading to an ideal alliance.
George and Lennie, unlike other itinerant workers on the ranch, shared a dream together and were not distant from each other. In contrast, Curley's wife, who resembled the majority of the ranch in her loneliness and isolation, also had a dream of being a film star. However, she knew that her dream was unachievable and therefore remained isolated and miserable, unlike George and Lennie.
Initially, the relationship between George and Lennie can be compared to a father-son dynamic. When George sternly asks Lennie, "What did you take out of your pocket?" it comes across as if he's a parent questioning his child. Lennie replies stating, "There ain't
a thing in my pocket," further reinforcing this analogy by denying any wrongdoing just like a son would do with his father. Soon after, George commands in an authoritative voice, "Give it here!" adding more depth to their father-son bond. Moreover, when juxtaposed with Candy and his sheep dog's bond, another layer reveals itself in the form of an owner-pet connection between George and Lennie.
Both George and Candy have a demanding and protective relationship with their respective companions. Similar to Candy's bond with his sheepdog, George looks after Lennie because Lennie depends on him. When Lennie needed help, he looked to George with panic, trusting that he could do anything George told him. This obedience and reliance resembles the relationship between an owner and a pet. George and Lennie are not just partners but also like family, traveling together and providing each other with someone who genuinely cares about them, which is not typical for transient workers.
Furthermore, they both have the same aspiration of owning "a small house and a few acres of land and farming to support themselves." This shared dream motivates them to persevere and not lose hope. George is fiercely protective of Lennie because he knows that Lennie is a vulnerable and sensitive person. He insists, "Let him be useful. He doesn't have to be like Lennie. Lennie didn't do anything to him. What does he have against Lennie?" George and Lennie rely on each other in various ways, and this interdependence is viewed as a positive aspect rather than a negative one.
To start with, George benefits from Lennie's companionship. Above all, George would rather have a companion by his side than
be alone like other migrant workers who are incredibly lonely and have no family or sense of belonging. In order to succeed on the ranch and attain their dream, George relies on Lennie's strength since being small and thin will not suffice. On the other hand, Lennie cannot be accepted on the ranch without George's social skills, as he does not speak for himself.
If he discovers the extent of your insane behavior, it will ruin our chances of getting a job. However, if he witnesses your work before hearing you speak, we will be successful." As a result, Lennie is dependent on a guardian figure despite his physical appearance as "a gigantic man... with broad, slumped shoulders" and his tendency to "walk heavily, dragging his feet slightly." He possesses a childlike mind and voice as he softly utters, "I forgot." Lennie finds joy in stroking soft objects, expressing his immature mindset and preferences, stating, "I could stroke it with my thumb during our walk."
Lennie appears to be strong and lawless, as he engages in "wrongdoings in Weed," despite his childlike and innocent nature. Lennie lacks security and self-control without George, leading to harmful actions towards his surroundings. Without guidance, Lennie cannot survive. George and Lennie share a dream together, bringing hope for a better future and an escape from harsh circumstances. This belief in their dream becoming a reality provides a sense of security and makes difficult moments easier to endure.
A shared aspiration is often a characteristic of an average migrant laborer. This vision instills optimism and exhilaration for their upcoming ventures. Despite understanding the challenges and expenses involved in realizing this dream, they draw
comfort from sharing it with another person. Lennie and George's collective aspiration feels more achievable and promising. They yearn for their own steady place where they will be self-reliant instead of working for others. Their dream encompassed owning "a little house and a couple of acres and a cow and some pigs," together with a "vegetable patch and a rabbit hutch and chickens." These are all items any migrant worker would wish to have.
In the eyes of typical migrant workers, George and Lennie stood out as exceptional. One worker remarked, "I've never seen anyone go to such lengths for another person." This sparked suspicion and a lack of trust among the others. Slim also commented on the rarity of two men traveling together, stating, "There aren't many guys who stick together like that." Ultimately, George and Lennie's complementing qualities create a distinctive dynamic as hard-working and clever itinerant workers. Their unique friendship astounds the rest of the ranch, breeding suspicion.
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