Notes

THE IMPORTANCE OF RELATIONSHIPS
omam is a very somber book. Its hard to walk away from it thinking "that was so refreshing!" Because its really depressing. However, or pov characters, george and lennie, stand out from the other characters with their hopefulness and determination. They behave differently, playing by different rules than most of the ranch workers.

One of the quickest ways to insanity is isolation. (-) Many serial killers were kept from other people in childhood. In a biblical tale, a man named Cain has a mark laid on him that protects him, but it curses him to be a wanderer, never finding rest. Similarly, if someone travels alone, they become bitter, cruel, and joyless. This is demonstrated in OMaM, with how George and Lennie are portrayed to be better than the other workers, due to their relationship. Some characters even acknowledge the legitimacy of this. (who) says "'I seen the guys that go around on the ranches alone. That ain't no good. They don't have no fun. After a long time they get mean. They get wantin' to fight all the time.’”(41)

The way that George takes care of lennie, and lennie looks up to him, is vital.

Many of the people in this world (of the story) are dissatisfied with their life, squandering wealth on frivolous pursuits. They don't have anyone to share their dream with, and so it shrivels up and gets abandoned. They will start chasing their dream, but will get sidetracked by physical pleasures. this is explained by X "Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world. They got no family. They don't belong no place. They come to a ranch an' work up a stake and then they go inta town and blow their stake, and the first thing you know they're poundin' their tail on some other ranch. They ain't got nothing to look ahead to." (1.113) George is invited to join the guys at a local brothel, but declines. '“Me an’ Lennie’s rollin’ up a stake,” said George. “I might go in an’ set and have a shot, but I ain’t puttin’ out no two and a half.”

“Well, a guy got to have some fun sometime,” said Whit." ' other guys tend to value instant gratification more than long term goals. George excersizes more self restraint than others, consistently.
They have more discipline in pursuing their dream because of their desire to take care of each other.

George and Lennie's relationship is strong, and it significantly affects their behavior. They are able to be better people because they rely on each other, and they support each other, allowing for their dream to not remain just that. This companionship keeps them keep in touch with their emotions and morals, being better for each other. Lennies dependence, and George's feeling of responsibility, keeps them grounded. None of the other characters that we know of have a relationship like theirs, and they all seem like wanderers, without a purpose.