George's Case by Quinterrius Allen

Is he justified or not?

allenquinterrius — 2025-08-14 18:37:23 UTC

in my opinion George is justified in shooting and killing Lennie after he found him.

Exhibit A

allenquinterrius — 2025-08-14 18:45:46 UTC

pg 15. "'Good boy! That's fine, Lennie! Maybe you're gettin' better. When we get the couple acres I can let you tend the rabbits all right. 'specially if you remember as good as that.'" this interaction between Lennie kind of justifies him killing Lennie, my reason for thinking this is because he indirectly caused Lennie to kill curley's wife, if George hadn't of convinced Lennie he'd allow him to take care of the rabbits as long as he did nothing bad he wouldn't have accidentally killed curley's wife, therefore it's his responsibility to make sure Lennie accidentally harms no-one else even if it results in Lennie's death.

Exhibit B

allenquinterrius — 2025-08-14 18:55:57 UTC

pg.63 "George was on his feet yelling, 'get him, Lennie. Don't let him do it'

Here George convinces Lennie to defy his good nature and hurt another person despite the fact he could've easily went and help Lennie himself or let slim handle it. Because of this curley hated Lennie alot more and wanted him dead, therefore George had to kill Lennie if he didn't want him to suffer a horrible death

Exhibit C

allenquinterrius — 2025-08-14 19:02:52 UTC

pg 91 "she continued to struggle and her eyes were wide with terror. He shook her then, and he was angry with her 'don't you go yellin',' he said, and he shook her; and her body flopped like a fish. And then she was still, for Lennie had broken her neck."

Lennie had killed someone Lennie was going to die or be imprisoned regardless of what George did if they found him, and George knew Lennie didn't mean to do it and he didn't want Lennie to suffer so he ended his life

Exhibit D

allenquinterrius — 2025-08-14 19:08:03 UTC

pg.72 "suddenly Lennie's eyes centered and grew quiet, and mad. He stood up and walked dangerously towards crooks 'who hurt George' he demanded"

it's clear that Lennie deeply cares about George and relies on him for almost everything but it's clear that could end up getting someone killed if they insult George Infront of him, therefore it'd probably be easier for George to kill him than to let him suffer from his absence and potentially hurt others because of it.

Not justified?

allenquinterrius — 2025-08-15 02:45:25 UTC

some people might argue that george wasn't justified in killing Lennie they might argue that George could've just did what he had done before and ran off with Lennie, while that may be true, Lennie was already wanted by 2 groups one wanted him for murder and the other for harrassment/assault there was basically nowhere safe for them if they wanted to work, not only that but george would've had to live his whole life cleaning up after Lennie not only that but he knew Lennie would just suffer until he died hence why it would be the smart choice to end it earlier. "'god amight, if i was alone i could live so easy'" this is another reason George is perfectly justified in killing Lennie while Lennie makes his life harder he still cares for him so he couldn't just abandon him.