To what extent do you find this a satisfactory ending to the novel - :: English Literature

To what extent do you find this a satisfactory ending to the novel - chap6 Salinas River consequences of Lennies actions. To what extent do you find this a satisfactory ending to the novel? Chapter 6 takes place at the Salinas River in the late afternoon where we see the consequences of Lennies actions. After murdering Curley's wife in the barn, Lennie has gone on the run and hides in the brush. George finds Lennie and tries to give him a fear free death. This is probably the most moving chapter of the novel. In many ways I find it a satisfying ending, but there is also an element of surprise in the fact that it is George who kills his best friend Lennie, although Steinbeck has prepared us with the death of Candy's dog and Curleys wife. The impact of the ending is very poignant and touching as I feel sympathy for Lennie as I feel I understand him better than the other characters that have died. The link between the beginning of the novel and the end makes it more complete as there is a full circle. The setting that they're in, along the Salinas River with men shouting, and the reason why they are there are also similar to the beginning of the novel and this has looped. Lennie is running from this ranch, the same as in the beginning as they ran away from Weed. But the previous reason was not as serious as this one. Lennie had been accused of raping a woman, whereas this instance he has murdered one. The only other difference in this is that Lennie expects George to follow him and they would both escape together, but that was not to be the story. This was unexpected in the way that George killed Lennie, but Lennie had done too many bad things and this time he had crossed over the line and George had had enough. Lennies hallucination shows how he's imitating all the people close to him. This could be a sign of him going insane and not knowing what to do. When George arrives at the brush, Lennie is trying to make him follow the same ritual by first of all waiting as George tells him off, and then attempts to make him feel guilty by saying how he could run away and live in a cave. After that George would feel sorry for Lennie and they would make up and talk about the ranch and the rabbits. Lennie thinks that he is succeeding, but it creates an empathetic mood when George finally shoots Lennie.