In Chapter 1 of Of Mice and Men, after George takes a dead mouse off him, Lennie threatens to run off and live in a cave like a bear. George's response is that Lennie won't be able to find any food and, likely, die.
Steinbeck uses much anthropomorphism (comparing humans to animals) with Lennie to reveal his Social Darwinian themes. Unlike a native bear, Lennie does not have the survival instincts necessary to survive alone in the wilderness. He obviously needs a companion, like George, to help him find work, food, and shelter.
Ironically, in the end, George will have to put down Lennie like an animal after he kills Curley's wife and the posse is after him.
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