Of Mice and Men | Chapter 6 Summary & Analysis | John Steinbeck

Summary

In the final moments of Steinbeck's story, Lennie, haunted by visions of Aunt Clara and a talking rabbit, longs for reassurance from George. As the lynch mob closes in, George, faced with a painful choice, decides to end Lennie's life himself to spare him from the mob's cruelty. This tragic decision, made by the peaceful pool that symbolizes safety, reflects the irony that even places of refuge are not immune to suffering. The story underscores themes of friendship, entrapment, and the harsh realities of life, as George sacrifices his friend in the most humane way he can.

Takeaways

• 😀 Lennie arrives at a tranquil pool and starts drinking water while waiting for George.
• 😀 Lennie imagines Aunt Clara scolding him for not appreciating George enough and doing bad things.
• 😀 Lennie hallucinates a big rabbit telling him he can't properly care for rabbits, and that George will eventually abandon him.
• 😀 Lennie cries out, insisting that George would never leave him, and repeats George's name.
• 😀 George quietly appears and asks Lennie what he is yelling about, assuring him that he will not leave him.
• 😀 Lennie is surprised by George's calm demeanor, noting that George isn't scolding him as usual.
• 😀 Lennie asks George why they are different from other men, to which George responds that it's because they have each other.
• 😀 George tells Lennie to take off his cap and look across the river while describing their shared dream of a better future.
• 😀 The lynch mob approaches, and George ultimately decides to kill Lennie himself to spare him from the mob's cruel fate.
• 😀 The final scene features George shooting Lennie at the tranquil pool, symbolizing the loss of safety and the inevitability of pain in life.

Q & A

Why does Lennie hallucinate a rabbit in the final scene?

Lennie hallucinating a rabbit symbolizes his deep insecurities and fears about his inability to take care of the animals he loves, particularly the rabbits he dreams of caring for on the farm. The rabbit’s words reflect Lennie’s fears that George will eventually abandon him due to his mistakes.

How does George reassure Lennie in the final scene?

George reassures Lennie by telling him that he will never leave him, despite Lennie’s fears and hallucinations. George also comforts him by speaking kindly, instead of scolding him, as he usually would when Lennie makes mistakes.

What does Lennie mean when he asks George why they are different from the other guys?

Lennie’s question reflects his desire to understand why he and George share a unique bond. George explains that they are different because they have each other, highlighting the special relationship between them in contrast to the loneliness of other itinerant workers.

What is the significance of George telling Lennie to take off his cap and look across the river?

By telling Lennie to take off his cap and look across the river, George is helping Lennie focus on their shared dream of owning a farm. This moment is symbolic, as it represents their vision of a better life, providing Lennie with a sense of hope and comfort in his final moments.

How does the lynch mob influence the final decision George makes?

The approaching lynch mob forces George into a difficult situation where he must act quickly. Knowing that the mob would likely torture Lennie, George decides that the most humane choice is to end Lennie’s life himself, sparing him from further suffering.

Why is the tranquil pool ironic in this context?

The tranquil pool is ironic because, while it represents a safe haven and a peaceful place for Lennie and George, it becomes the site of Lennie’s tragic death. This contrasts with the idea that no place is truly free from trouble and abuse in their harsh world.

What is the significance of the mob's reaction to Lennie's death?

The mob's reaction to Lennie’s death highlights the dehumanizing attitude of society towards people like Lennie. While Slim tries to console George, recognizing the difficult decision George had to make, Curley and Carlson show little empathy, reinforcing the brutal reality of the world they live in.

How does George’s decision reflect the theme of friendship in the novel?

George’s decision to kill Lennie himself reflects the theme of friendship and sacrifice in the novel. By taking this action, George chooses to end Lennie’s life in a more compassionate way, rather than allowing him to suffer at the hands of the mob, demonstrating the depth of their bond.

What role does situational irony play in the ending of the novel?

Situational irony plays a key role in the ending, as the peaceful setting of the pool, which could symbolize safety, becomes the place of Lennie’s death. The safety Lennie and George hoped for is never realized, underscoring the harshness of their reality and the lack of true refuge in their world.

What does George’s action say about the complexities of moral choices?

George’s action underscores the complexity of moral choices in a world where survival often requires difficult decisions. His choice to kill Lennie himself, rather than let him be killed by the mob, is driven by a sense of mercy, showing that sometimes the right decision is not the easy one.