Of Mice and Men Paper

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to a bond one would share with a family member. This book takes place during the economic Depression where many people were powerless to their incoming future. Candy, like many people, were unable to protect the ones they love from the fate that was coming upon them. Love now became a one way street because the dog could not love Candy back but Candy still loved him all the same. When people lose family members, friends, or loved ones, their love does not stop because they are not loved back, instead their love grows stronger. This relationship is relatable for any person who has lost someone they care about. Candy’s dog symbolizes the love and bond between a person and another, whether it is an animal or another person. It also foreshadows Lennie’s death at the end of the book because like the dog, he is helpless to stop it but George still will love him even after his death. It could be argued that Candy could have saved his dog and not allowed him to be shot. Although this is true, he recognized that his dog was suffering and since he loved his dog, he did not want to let him suffer anymore even if it was better for him. This further displays his love because he does not want his dog to suffer at his expense.

These connections of love between Lennie and George, and Candy and his dog, are similar to the connections the majority of people have in everyday life. Although love is not the same for everyone, everyone experiences love in one way or another. Love is only a word, a noun or a verb, but what matters more than the word, is the connection between people who love each other. All the connections made by love connect almost every single person living and dead to each other. Love has no language which is why Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck can be read and understood by anyone, the themes and symbols are universal and understandable for all.