Of mice and men questions between and beyond the line

Why does George shoot Lenny in the back of the head?

I think George kills Lenny to put him out of his misery. George knew that Lenny had nothing ahead of him except more pain and hurt. So he did the most humane thing someone could do to someone who was suffering. This could be related to something that happened earlier in the book when they shot Candys’ dog to put him out of his misery. Just as Carlson did to Candys dog George did to Lenny to spare him from any further pain.

What does the young pup symbolize?

I think the young pup is a symbol of many things. Its young age represents the thought of hope and dreams. On top of that I think you could compare the young pup to Lenny. Just like the puppy Lenny is full of hope and is innocence. While the puppy is vulnerable to the physical outside world because it is small and fragile. Lenny is big, but yet still vulnerable due to his mental state. This is what I think the puppy symbolizes and represents.

Why doesn’t Curlys wife have a name?
I believe curlys wife doesn’t have a name for two main reason. The first of the two being that she wasn’t just meant to represent one person, but yet the whole population in this time period. I also think she is suppose to been seen as curlys property not wife. This is because every time she is mentioned so is curly like it is to show that he owns her. This is why I think Curlys wife doesn’t have a name.

Is Lenny afraid of George?
I think Lenny is afraid of George because of his actions towards George. When George tells Lenny to do something Lenny listens to George not out of love but out of fear. He doesn’t argue with him he just reluctantly listens. Even though he is bigger than George his actions show that he is afraid of George.

Why do George and Lennie keep moving from job to job?

George and Lenny keep moving from job to job due to woman problems with Lenny. Lenny whether intentional or not always seems to be doing something with women. First in weed he feels on a girls dress and when she said stop he wouldn’t let go, and because of this the girl screamed rape and he got chased out of town. Then at their new job when he begins to rub Curlys wife hair and told to stop he wouldn’t let go. As a result Curlys wife began to scream and while in a struggle to keep her quiet he accidently killed her by snapping her neck. These are the reasons why I think George and Lenny have to move from job to job.

Compare the relationship of George and Lenny to that of another you know.
Lenny and Georges reminds me of a relationship between brothers. Lenny being the younger, playful, and childish brother. George being the older, responsible, and caretaker brother of the two. They work together just like any team of brothers to help each other. The relationship is a two way street with one helping the other.
One because George takes charge of the two as would an older brother would. If something is happening George takes charge and tries to solve the situation. George takes the lead and Lenny follows in his footsteps as a younger brother would to an older brother. George also it’s the more responsible of the two like when he held on to Lennys work card because he knew that if Lenny had it he would lose it.
On top of that Lenny has a very playful side to him, while George is always serious. Lenny likes to play with animals and play games. From the start of the book to the end Lenny is always trying to do something fun. Lenny also has a very childish mind and not so reliable like a younger brother. George is always thinking and planning out his and Lenny’s next move.
Lastly the way they act towards each other is so similar to that of brothers. George is always putting Lenny down like and older brother does to his younger. But you know deep down George is just looking out for Lenny and being protective like an older brother. Lennys actions towards George are also very much like a little brothers. When George tells him to do something he does it and listens as a younger brother would listen to his older brother.
In conclusion Lenny and Georges relationship reminds me of that of a younger and older brother. George being the older and serious of the two making him more like an older brother. And Lenny being playful and childish makes him more like the younger brother. Even though they might not be brothers they sure do act like it.