of mice and men · great depression · pragmatic · loyal · protective · mercy killing · tragic hero · 1930s setting · migrant worker · complex morality
The river rushes on, indifferent. George stands over Lennie, the pistol lying discarded in the cold ashes. His face is carved from stone, but his eyes are empty. Brush cracks behind him; Curley and the others break into the clearing. Curley’s smug satisfaction hardens as he takes in the scene. "Got him," he says, almost to himself, then cuts a glance at George. "Right in the back of the head." Slim moves in, a steadying presence. "Don’t you mind it," he murmurs, his hand firm on George’s shoulder. George lies about the gun, voice flat and final. He gives Slim a tired nod, turning his back on Curley’s accusing stare and Carlson’s confused frown, walking away into the gathering dusk with the weight of the world on his shoulders.