Of Mice and Men: Is Killing Justified Intro and Body 1

Do you care when you step on an ant? Most would answer no, but wouldn’t killing in general just be plain wrong? Some would argue the point that killing is okay under the correct circumstances. Genocide had been prevalent throughout history since the early 1900’s. But not just genocide, killing in general (although prevalent since the dawn of man) is frowned upon. But when can killing be justified? One would believe that when one kills an ant it was a completely justified act, I mean, you don’t want a spider in your house where you sleep, right? Killing can be considered justified under the circumstances that were prevalent in the novel by John Steinbeck, Of Mice and Men.


      Killing of any sort seems wrong, but there are situations in John Steinbecks, Of Mice and Men, that one should think it’s justified. When Lennie first killed a small mouse, that should have been the first clue that he is capable of much more. When one sees someone with a mild mental handicap, they believe that he is not strong, however the contrary is true for Lennie. When he unknowingly killed a mouse, that should have sent off an alarm in Georges’ head. Then when he, again, unwillingly killed a puppy, as in he didn’t mean to, then that should have set off another alarm. He should be put down, or at least sent to a sanitarium. Reasons like the ones stated are why killing under the correct circumstances are justifiable.