Of Mice and Men Character Analysis

Show how Steinbeck shows two characters making difficult decisions in Of mice and Men A decision can either have a good or bad outcome. In ‘Of Mice and Men’ characters are made to take difficult decisions which could change their lives. In this essay, I will be analyzing ways in which Steinbeck portrays (shows) difficult decisions made by characters, in the novel. George makes some tough decisions which all lead him to his misery. When George and Lennie are sitting near the fire, George says to Lennie, “‘if I was alone I could live so easy’ ‘no mess at all’, ‘An’ whatta I got…I got you!’ ” George’s life is not easy because he has to deal with Lennie, who gets into trouble-most of the time.

Choosing to take care of Lennie, instead of abandoning him is a tough choice; this is what leads George to this painful outcome.

When talking to Carlson after killing Lennie, “George’s voice was almost a whisper.

He looked at his hand that held the gun.” George is now lonely sand he feels guilty for taking Lennie’s life away. George chose to kill Lennie because if he didn’t, Lennie would be killed painfully by Curley, and George does not want Lennie to suffer. Candy is forced to make difficult choices which all result in him facing terrible outcomes. After the death of his dog, Candy says “‘I ought to of shot that dog myself, George. I shouldn’t ought to of let no stranger shoot my dog.’” Candy now has a feeling of regret and he misses his dog. Candy lets Carlson shoot his dog because he feels he has no other choice but to let him because he thinks they would kick him off the ranch.

After finding Curley’s wife dead, knowing it was Lennie, Candy “spoke his greatest fear. ‘You an’ me can get that little place can’t we, George?’ ‘Candy dropped his head and looked down at the hay. He knew.’ ” Candy’s dreams are now flattened as he knows that they will no longer continue to try to get the little ranch. He had so much hope when he decided to join George and Lennie on their dream, but now he has to stay on the ranch because he has no other options. Candy just wanted to get off the ranch and keep his dog, but could not do either because of the choices he was forced to make.

These characters made hard decisions which they thought would make their lives better but instead they changed their lives for the worse. They all just wanted a happy life but they all lost the chance to get this happiness at the end of the novel. Whether their choices were forced or freely made, they did not make the right decisions to reach their dreams.