In John Steinbeck's classic novel, "Of Mice and Men," one of the most controversial and heartbreaking moments is when George takes the difficult decision to kill his friend Lennie. The question that arises is: why did George feel compelled to take such drastic measures? To answer this question, we must look at the complex dynamics of George and Lennie's relationship, as well as the societal context in which they lived. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay First of all, it is important to understand the connection between George and Lennie. George takes on the role of caregiver and protector to Lennie, who suffers from a mental disability. Throughout the novel, George constantly watches over Lennie, ensuring his safety and well-being. This creates a deep sense of responsibility for George, as he feels obligated to protect Lennie from harm. Despite the challenges of caring for a disabled person, George remains loyal to Lennie, forming a strong bond based on mutual trust and confidence. Additionally, the societal context in which George and Lennie live plays a crucial role in George's decision to kill Lennie. The Great Depression of the 1930s created a harsh and unforgiving environment for the characters in the novel. Jobs were scarce, and those considered “different” or “weak” were often marginalized and mistreated. Lennie, with his disability and childish nature, becomes the target of discrimination and violence. George is keenly aware of the dangers Lennie faces in such a harsh world, and he feels the weight of responsibility to protect his friend from harm. As the story progresses, we see Lennie unintentionally causing harm to others, most notably Curley's wife. Lennie's actions result in tragedy, leading to a chain of events that culminate in George being faced with a heartbreaking decision. Despite his deep affection for Lennie, George realizes that he can no longer keep him safe in a hostile and unforgiving world. In a moment of despair and grief, George makes the difficult choice to end Lennie's life, believing that it is the only way to ensure that his friend does not suffer a worse fate at the hands of others. In conclusion, George's decision to kill Lennie is a complex and morally ambiguous act that is influenced by a combination of factors, including his deep connection to Lennie, his sense of responsibility as a caregiver, and the harsh realities of society in which they live. While some may view George's actions as a merciful act of love, others may see them as the tragic consequence of a world that offers little compassion or understanding to those who are different. Ultimately, the analysis of why George killed Lennie reveals the complexity of human relationships, moral dilemmas, and the harsh realities of a society in crisis. One piece of evidence from the text that supports the idea that George feels a deep sense of responsibility towards Lennie is when he says to Slim, "I've been naughty, haven't I?" This shows George struggling with the weight of his role as Lennie's protector, recognizing that his actions are not always kind but are motivated by his desire to keep Lennie safe. Additionally, when George talks about how they lost their last job in Weed to Slim, he points out that he promised Lennie's Aunt Clara that he would always look out for him. This highlights the depth of George's commitment to Lennie, who made a solemn vow to care for..