How does having a partner affect your life? In terms of emotional stability, there is one thing we need in life: friends. Throughout the novel Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck reveals that "a boy needs somebody." Without friends people suffer from loneliness and loneliness, like most of the men on the ranch. The intelligent but also weak George and the playful but strong Lennie have a friendship that is quite beneficial for both of them. They each rely on each other's strengths, which allows them to bring out the best in themselves. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The Importance of Friendship in "Of Mice and Men" George and Lennie's friendship is what sets them apart. They stand out from all the other characters in the story because they have to take care of each other. When they arrive at the ranch many are confused and bewildered as to why there are two men traveling together and sharing a bond. “Not many kids travel together… I don't know why. Maybe everyone in this damn world is afraid of each other.”(17) During this time of the Great Depression, there weren't many people who traveled together or had a companion like George and Lennie had with each other. This is why their collaboration confuses and even surprises many men on the ranch. After everyone questioned George and Lennie, George told Slim the truth about their relationship. “We kind of look out for each other.”(18) Their relationship is not just for the sake of Lennie's survival, but for the mutual benefits of both of them. George has a sharp mind and is able to protect Lennie from the social misadventures and cruelties of the world, but he is very small and sturdy. Lennie on the other hand is strong, and in many ways just as responsible for George as George is Lennie. George tells Lennie to never argue, and as a result, Lennie is reluctant to defend himself or use his strength offensively. What one man lacks, the other makes up for, which allows George to use Lennie's strength to get them out of certain situations, and Lennie uses George's strengths to help him in everyday life. On the contrary, another advantage of having a close friendship is that you will never suffer from loneliness. As people grow up, they can feel lonely and isolated inside. When you have someone to share your life with, your life becomes exciting and fascinating. As Lennie and George traveled together, they would have a few arguments with each other, but in the end they didn't get along. 'I was only joking, George. I don't want ketchup. I wouldn't eat ketchup if it was right here next to me. . . But I wouldn't eat it, George. I would leave everything for you. You could cover your beans with that and I wouldn't touch anything." (14) George scolded Lennie and told him that if he didn't have it he could do whatever he wanted, when in reality George didn't mean any of those things. George he was happy to have a friend in Lennie, so he wouldn't have to feel alone. With Lennie's simple mind, half the time he couldn't understand what George was talking about, but he knew George got angry over simple things, like ketchup. Lennie apologized because he too was very grateful to have George to travel with and did not want to lose him. Although he sometimes did not understand the complexity of things, he knew he had a true friend who he trusted and who would not leave his side the friendship between them went far beyond what was obvious, in fact they shared a common dream together. They dreamed of a piece of land of their own, and a couple of acres, a cow, some pigs and rabbits that Lennie dreams of taking care of. . Own.