Curated set · answers marked
At the end of the novel, why does George shoot Lennie?
ALennie has stolen money from the ranch hands
BCurley demands that George be the one to kill Lennie
CGeorge shoots Lennie to spare him from a cruel death at the hands of Curley's angry mob✓
DLennie asks George to shoot him after he accidentally kills Curley's wife
Rationale
After Lennie accidentally kills Curley's wife, an angry mob led by Curley goes after him with the intent to brutally kill him. George finds Lennie first and, as he recalls their shared dream one last time, he shoots Lennie in the back of the head — a mercy move meant to protect Lennie from a violent and terrifying death.
At the end of the novel, why does George shoot Lennie?
ALennie has stolen money from Curley's wife
BGeorge wants to claim the ranch for himself
CGeorge shoots Lennie to spare him from a violent death at the hands of Curley's mob✓
DLennie asks George to shoot him as a punishment for killing the puppy
Rationale
After Lennie accidentally kills Curley's wife, Curley rallies a furious mob to find Lennie and kill him brutally. George reaches Lennie first at their designated meeting place by the river and shoots him in the back of the head while recounting their shared dream of owning a farm — providing Lennie with a peaceful, painless end instead of letting him face the mob's wrath.