In Of Mice and Men, discuss the relationship between Lennie and George as it relates to the way they speak.

Steinbeck uses the way that George and Lennie speak to one another to show a deep friendship between the two men.

Throughout the novella, the way in which George and Lennie speak to each other reflects a shared connection. They never speak with any stilted formality between them or anything that would constitute a sense of awkwardness. Their language reflects intimacy. This can be seen in the first conversation between them:

“Lennie!" he said sharply. "Lennie, for God’ sakes don’t drink so much.” Lennie continued to snort into the pool. The small man leaned over and shook him by the shoulder. "Lennie. You gonna be sick like you was last night.”

In both verbal and nonverbal modes of communication, there is a shared relationship between both men. George speaks with a sharp tone towards Lennie, something that could only happen if Lennie trusted George. Additionally, George physically touches Lennie. Given Lennie's imposing and intimidating size, it is highly unlikely that he would let anyone grab him unless they were a trusted friend. Lennie's response to George also reflects a caring friendship: “'You drink some, George. You take a good big drink.' He smiled happily." Lennie does not mind the embarrassment that might be associated with submerging his entire head in the water in front of George. He even encourages his friend to do so the same as he smiles "happily." He wants George to experience the same thing he experienced, something that indicates friendship. The conversational tone that exists between both men shows a relationship that has been cultivated over time.

While there is much that changes in George's and Lennie's world, the language they use towards one another shows that their friendship never dissipates. The repeated way in which George has to recite the story of how both men will live "off the fatta the land" is one such example. In Chapter 2, when Slim talks about his puppies and then leaves the room, George says to Lennie, "Yeah!... I heard him, Lennie. I’ll ask him.” This shows he knows the way Lennie's mind works and conversationally preempts it. This pattern continues until the end of the novella. The way in which both men speak to one another affirms their friendship, even in their darkest hour. Steinbeck is able to underscore a deep friendship through the conversational patterns both men share and the manner in which they speak to one another.