Of Mice and Men Chapter 6 Analysis (pages 99-107)
by John Steinbeck

This chapter provides a brief view into Lennie’s psyche and the voices he hears inside his head. He clearly feels remorse for doing something he knows will upset George, yet he does not understand the severity of the incident nor the severe repercussions that will ensue. George treats Lennie with the utmost kindness throughout their final minutes together and encourages Lennie to imagine the land they’ll one day own and the rabbits Lennie will tend as George raises the gun to the back of his head. Killing his best friend is the most difficult, yet most compassionate act George commits in the novel.

In the end, only Slim understands the significance of the events that have just transpired, and the others are left standing in the brush, completely unaware of the tragedy that has just befallen both Lennie and George.