How does Steinbeck present the theme of death in Of Mice and Men?

In Steinbecks Of Mice and Men, the book presented presents the reader with two deaths. The first one is Candys dog, which has already been with him since he was young; and the other is Lennie, who is Georges best friend, his companion, they travel together and take care of each other. They both die for a different reason: Candys dog dies because of Carlsons is a bully, and he shoots it. Lennie dies because George wants to save Lennie, because of love. However, despite the different motivations for the two deaths, in many ways they are parallel. First of all, for the death of Candys dog. It is already very old, for it stays with Candy since he was small (Candy is now an old man). The dog was not feeling good and was already waiting to die, it was also quite smelly. Therefore, Carlson complains about it and even asks their leader Slim for advice, so he can shoot Candys dog. Carlson likes to use his Luger to shoot, therefore he bullies Candy, the old man, and shotinto allowing him to shoot his dog. In the book, Candy does not have a friend, except George. Candy has a feeling of loneliness, for he has only George and his dog. However, Carlson shot his dog, he can now only rely on George, and to be less lonely. After the death of his dog, it encourages Candy to join George and Lennies plan, because he want somebody to be with, even he will be the one who contribute most in the plan. He also regrets for doing something wrong, I shouldnt let no stranger shoot my dog. He regretsted that because he didnt doesnt know how Carlson killed kills his dog, whether it is in a painful way or a quick one. Furthermore, it is a parallel to the death of Lennie, George has to kill Lennie on his own, so as to make sure that Curley will not lock Lennie up in a cage and torture him. As for the death of Lennie, George saves Lennie by killing him. As mentioned above, Curley may lock him up and torture Lennie so as to take revenge for his hand and his wife. This aint no good, as their leader Slim said. Slim knew that Curley may torture Lennie, so he told George. Also, because of Candys regret of didntfor not killing his dog by himself, George knows that he has to kill Lennie on his own, so as to save him. Lennie did acommitted a fatal fault, he killed Curleys wife when he was panicking. He couldnt do no more harm than a child, except he was so strong. Lennie was the strongest character in the book, and with big paws, and that is why he has the strength to kill Curleys wife by accident. Lennies fault makes Candy, George and Lennies dream over, and it was already no return, this fault makes the book drawing to an end. Lennie is Georges only companion, without Lennie, his dream cant come true. They rely on each other, I got you to look after, and you got

me to look after to. Their relationship are just like real brothers. In conclusion, the two deaths are haveing a different reasons. One is because of being bullied, and the other is because of love. The deaths also make the readers feel pity. For example, before Lennie will be shot by George, he was still thinking of the rabbits and their dream, this makes us feel pity for Lennie, for he was just like a child. Unfortunately, the death of Lennie draws their dream to an end. And the death of Curleys Wife? You should also have explored this death as it is the point in the story when all hope and optimism is extinguished. The description of Curleys Wife after her death is also interesting as it reveals that in death she gains peace. It is almost as if Steinbeck is suggesting that their lives are so arduous that death is a welcome escape. (582 words)