Question

George and Lennie travel together, unlike many who are out of work during the Great Depression.
What are the benefits and what are the and risks associated with George and Lennie’s partnership?
Write a three paragraph essay in which you will discuss benefits and risks of their relationship and use text evidence to support your ideas.

Intro Paragraph:
Hook
Background
Thesis: The benefits of George and Lennie’s partnership are ____, but the risks are______.

Benefits Paragraph:
Claim
Evidence _________ “Quote” (Steinbeck __).
Commentary

Risks Paragraph:
Claim
Evidence_________ “Quote” (Steinbeck __).
Commentary

Answer 1

During the Great Depression, most itinerant workers were isolated, moving from job to job with little hope. John Steinbeck’s characters George and Lennie stand out because they stick together, sharing work, protection, and a dream of a better future. The benefits of George and Lennie’s partnership are companionship, mutual protection, and a sustaining dream, but the risks are that Lennie’s mental disability and lack of control make both of them vulnerable to accidents, misunderstanding, and ruin.

One major benefit of their relationship is the emotional and practical support they give each other. George makes choices and finds work for them both, while Lennie offers George loyalty and a reason to keep going; as Lennie says, "I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you" (Steinbeck). That reciprocity separates them from the loneliest ranch hands and gives them a concrete plan to hope for—a future farm that keeps them working toward something better. Their partnership provides comfort, purpose, and a stronger chance of survival than either would have alone.

At the same time, their bond carries serious risks because Lennie’s strength and limited understanding lead to unintended harm that threatens both men. Lennie repeatedly insists he never means to cause trouble—"I didn't mean no harm, George" (Steinbeck)—yet his actions (killing small animals, accidentally breaking Curley’s hand, and ultimately the killing of Curley’s wife) escalate consequences beyond what George can control. Because George is tied to Lennie, he must bear the responsibility and fallout of those accidents; their dependence on one another makes them an easy target for suspicion and, in the end, destroys the very dream their companionship was meant to protect.