Human connections are necessary for survival.

In Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

friendship is a strong theme throughout the book. Steinbeck shows that human connections are
necessary for individuals to feel accepted and have a sense of belonging.George and Lennie, two
men who have very different views on reality, share friendship. The two have friendship
because they have each others’ back throughout this novel no matter what comes their way. An
example of their friendship is when George states, “Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the
loneliest guys in the world. They got no family. They don’t belong no place… With us it ain’t
like that. We got a future. We got somebody to talk to that gives a damn about us… I got you
to look after me, and you got me to look after you.” (Steinbeck 14). The fact that George and
Lennie have each others’ backs no matter what, proves that they have a tight bond. George and
Lennie also share friendship because George is willing to lie to get Lennie out of trouble. When
George lied to his boss stating that “Lennie… He’s my… Cousin. I told his old lady I’d take
care of him. He got kicked in the head by a horse when he was a kid. He’s awright. Just ain’t
bright. But he can do anything you tell him” (Steinbeck 22). Because George was willing to lie,
risking his own being to protect Lennie, proves that there is friendship between the two. Because
George and Lennie are willing to do whatever it takes to protect each other proves that there is
friendship between them.

Candy and his dog, which he has had since the dog was a pup, share friendship. These
two share amity because when the dog was killed purposely by someone else, Candy believed
that he “ought to of shot that dog myself, George. I shouldn’t ought to of let no stranger shoot
my dog.” (Steinbeck 61). The fact that Candy felt guilty for not shooting his good friend himself
proves that there is a close bond between them. Another time companionship is shown between
the two is when Candy defends his dog while the others complain that he is worthless and should
be shot. As Crooks was telling this to Candy, Candy fought back stating “’Well-hell! I had him
so long. Had him since he was a pup. I herded sheep with him.”’ He said proudly, ‘You
wouldn’t think it to look at him now, but he was the best damn sheep dog I ever seen.”
(Steinbeck 44). The fact that Candy would defend his dog’s title while facing disapproval from
others proves that there is friendship between these two.

Curley and Curley’s wife, two people who shouldn’t be married, have a non
relationship. These two show their feelings towards each other throughout the novel especially
when Curley’s wife was trying to make conversation to someone else and stated “Why can’t I
talk to you? I never get to talk to nobody. I get awful lonely… You can talk to people but I
can’t talk to nobody but Curley. Else he gets mad.” (Steinbeck 87). The fact that Curley makes
his wife stay at home and keeps her isolated from everyone else proves that these two have a
negative relationship. Curley also shows a lack of interest towards his wife when he shows no
emotion to his wife’s dead body and only stated that “I’m gonna shoot the guts outta that big
bastard myself… I’m gonna get ‘im.” (Steinbeck 98). Because Curley would show no sorrow or
interest in his wife’s dead body proves that they had a non relationship

John Steinbeck shows that human connections, like friendship, are essential for
surviving. Like when George and Lennie stay side by side throughout the book no matter what
comes their ways, proves friendship and human connections. As well as the time when Candy
defends his dog’s title by trying to stop others from shooting him because they were such good
friends, shows friendship. Also, Steinbeck included an antonym of friendship in his novel; when
Curley shows absolutely no emotion towards his wife when he sees her dead. Steinbeck made it
obvious that having human connections are necessary for survival.