The Men Arrive and George's Justification

Slim, Curley, Carlson, and the other men burst into the clearing. Curley sees Lennie's body and exclaims, 'Got him, by God,' noting the shot to the back of the head. Slim sits beside George and comforts him, saying, 'A guy got to sometimes.' Carlson questions George about how he did it, and George lies, saying he got the gun away from Lennie and then killed him. George's voice is a whisper, and he stares at his right hand. Slim leads George away for a drink, while Curley and Carlson are left puzzled by George's demeanor. The ending underscores the loneliness and moral ambiguity of George's act, as well as the loss of the dream.