An example where this can be seen is when Lennie offers to go out to the hills and leave George alone, but George declines the offer. “‘If you don’ want me I can go off in the hills an’ find a cave. I can go away any time.’ ‘No-look! I was jus’ foolin’, Lennie. ‘Cause I want you to stay with me’” (Steinbeck 13). This is proving the loyalty that they have for each other. Lennie is trying to make George’s life easier by leaving, but George doesn’t want him to go. Caring is another aspect of a healthy relationship. George wants Lennie to stay with him because of the deeper level of emotion he feels for him, as if he is a younger sibling. When you care about someone you will always be by their side and be loyal to them forever with an unconditional love. Another manifestation of the loyalty in George and Lennie’s relationship is when Lennie gets into trouble in the town of Weed, but George gets himself and Lennie out safe and sound. “‘So we sit in an irrigation ditch under water all the rest of that day. Gon on’y our heads sticking out from the side of the ditch. An’ that night we scrammed outta there” (Steinbeck 42). This again proves George’s loyalty to Lennie. George could have easily turned Lennie into the police, getting him out of the way and ensuring that he will keep his next job for a long time. However, George does not turn …show more content…
This can be seen when they are telling Candy how much money they have saved up so far. “‘That’d be four fifty. I bet we could swing her for that. Then you an’ Lennie could go get her started an’ I’d get a job an’ make up the res’, an’ you could sell eggs an’ stuff like that’” (Steinbeck 60). They have to put effort into their relationship because of the common goal. If the relationship fails and they “break-up”, then neither of them would have enough money to buy the ranch. If they want to achieve their goal in a timely fashion, they have to put effort to make the relationship work. The second way that George and Lennie put effort into their relationship is the many times George forgives and forgets Lennie’s mistakes. “‘I wasn’t doing nothing bad with it, George. Jus’ strokin’ it.’ [...] Lennie’s lip quivered and tears started in his eyes.[...] ‘I ain’t takin’ it away jus’ for meanness. [...] You get another mouse that’s fresh and I’ll let you keep it a little while’” (Steinbeck 9). It takes lots of effort to forgive someone who makes silly and almost fatal mistakes. For example, George forgave Lennie for the trouble caused in Weed with the girl in the red dress. In addition, George forgives Lennie for forgetting most of everything that he is told. It takes all of the effort and all patience in the world to forgive Lennie. One would