John Steinbeck puts two characters together that society has rejected and they form a solid friendship. Lennie, the simple giant, who depends on George for everything from his food to finding him a job and keeping him out of trouble, and George who pretends that Lennie is a burden, but who needs him just the same. The story picks up when the two get jobs at a ranch and immediately raise suspicion when George does all the talking for Lennie.
"It is in this setting that we first meet Steinbeck's two protagonists, George Milton and Lennie Small. George is "small and quick, dark of face, with restless eyes and sharp, strong features." Lennie is "his opposite, a huge man, shapeless of face, with large, pale eyes, with wide, sloping shoulders."
The central aspect of the story revolves around Lennie and George's relationship, their special bond, Lennie's mental handicap and George's sense of brotherhood toward him.
When Lennie, who does not realize his own strength, accidentally kills Curley's wife, because Lennie likes to pet soft things like his mouse, the puppy he accidentally kills and finally Curley's wife's hair, George acts to protect him.
As a way of saving him from a savage lynch mob, George kills his friend out of mercy.
After Lennie's death, George is lost and lonely, heartbroken at the loss of his friend.
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