George's internal conflict surrounds his loyalty to Lennie and the company he brings versus the freedom he could have if he could travel alone.
This dilemma is on his mind from the beginning of the novel, when he loses his temper at Lennie's request for ketchup:
'Whatever we ain't got, that's what you want. God a'mighty, if I was alone I could live so easy. I could go and get a job an' work, an' no trouble....An' whatta I got,' George went on furiously. 'I got you! You can't keep a job and you lose me ever' job I get. Jus' keep me shovin' all over the country all the time. An' that ain't the worst. You get in trouble. You do bad things and I got to get you out’
George has to look after himself as well as Lennie, and almost instantly he sees the dangers that Curley and his wife will present to Lennie.
George learns from Candy's response to the shooting of his dog that he is responsible for Lennie and this influences his decision to shoot Lennie himself rather than let Curley's lynch mob get him. George has taken the decision that he can do no more for Lennie, and allows the men to assume that the shooting was in self defence in order that he is a truly free man. Ironically Slim understands George's decision and appears to know the truth of the incident -
'Never you mind,' said Slim. 'A guy got to sometimes.'
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