Period 3 and 4 go to the Library
Ethical Dilemma Paper
-Do you think George did the right thing by killing Lennie? Why or why not? Explain the reasons why he should have done it and why he should not have done it.
Format:
Intro Paragraph – Explain the situation with Lennie and why George has to do something about it now. End by stating whether you think George made the right decision.
1st Body Paragraph – Support and explain your opinion about George’s actions. Explain why someone might disagree. Explain why you disagree with those reasons.
2nd Body Paragraph – Explain the opposite view point. Explain why might someone think this is a good point of view. Explain why you feel it is wrong.
Conclusion – Restate your opinion on George’s actions and try to apply your logic to life in general. How does your position on George’s action reflect how we should behave in life?
Short Summary of Events in Of Mice and Men (adapted from shmoop.com)
- (Before the novel begins: George and Lennie flee the town of Weed because Lennie was accused of attempting to rape a woman in a red dress)
- George and Lennie spend the night by the Salinas River in northern California. They argue over Lennie’s mouse and obsession with soft things, and discuss their dreams of a farm they can own.
- After telling Lennie to come back to this exact spot if he does something “bad,” George takes Lennie to the new ranch near Soledad, California.
- At the ranch, George looks out for Lennie, getting him a puppy, telling him to keep his mouth shut, and warning him to fight back if Curley attacks him.
- When news gets out about their plan to buy a farm, George is angry. They allow Candy to be part of the plan because with his money, the dream is possible.
- Curley attacks Lennie. Lennie is severely beaten before he crushes Curley’s hand.
- Lennie befriends Crooks. Candy is also drawn into this friendship. Curley’s wife is excluded and she threatens Crooks, ending his hope to join George, Lennie, and Candy.
- Lennie accidentally kills his puppy.
- Lennie accidentally kills Curley’s wife.
- George finds out that Lennie has killed Curley’s wife, and has an ethical dilemma when he tries to decide whether to let the guys get Lennie, escape with Lennie, or give Lennie a clean death.
- George tells Lennie the story of the dream farm just before shooting him in the back of the head.
- When the other men arrive, George pretends that Lennie had Carlson’s gun.
- No one understands why George is upset besides Slim. George goes off for a drink with Slim.
