what does the opening dialogue between Lennie and George tell us about the nature of their relationship ?Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

The use of dialogue in Of Mice and
Men establishes the power relationships of the characters in Steinbeck's
narrative.  Suggested by his walking ahead of the lumbering Lennie who shuffles like a
bear and paws the pool of water, George plays a more dominant role in the pair's
dynamics.  Much like a parent, he scolds Lennie about not drinking so much so quickly;
later he chides Lennie about wanting ketchup, about his behavior in Weeds that brought
them to the Salinas Valley to work on the ranch, about how much easier his life would be
without Lennie, and about how Lennie is to follow his lead and not say anything when
they arrive at the ranch the next day.

Despite these
scoldings, there is apparent in their converstations that there is love and concern for
Lennie on George's part, for he feels guilty after Lennie's feelings are hurt.  In order
to console him and to reassure Lennie of his love, George reaffirms their
bond,

Guys
like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world. They got no family.
They don’t belong no place. . . . With us it ain’t like that. We got a future. We got
somebody to talk to that gives a damn about us. We don’t have to sit in no bar room
blowin’ in our jack jus’ because we got no place else to go. If them other guys gets in
jail they can rot for all anybody gives a damn. But not
us.

Idealizing the fraternity
of men, Steinbeck suggests that they are the most satisfying way for the disenfranchised
men to overcome the loneliness that pervades their world.  For, in the end, the
differences of George and Lennie are superceded by their
friendship.