Even though George yells at Lenny, why do you think George stays with him?

Despite the trouble that Lennie continually causes and the overwhelming responsibility placed on George to take care of him, one could surmise that George stays with Lennie because he values Lennie's company and companionship. As migrant workers, life is difficult and opportunities to make money are rare. Steinbeck depicts the life of migrant workers as a lonely, difficult existence. However, George and Lennie are different from the other lonely men, who travel the country by themselves looking for work. Lennie gives George not only someone to talk to but also a sense of meaning. George is sympathetic to Lennie, who cannot take care of himself (because he is mentally handicapped) and feels like it is an admirable task to watch over him. George also stays with Lennie because he promised Lennie's deceased aunt Clara that he would remain by Lennie's side and take care of him.


George depends on Lennie for companionship and friendship. It's lonely being a migrant worker, traveling from place to place to find work and never having a permanent home. We understand this as George and Lennie enter the bunkhouse of the ranch where they've found jobs: this shared space is cold and impersonal. Some of the other hands envy the friendship between George and Lennie.
George also likes to be in charge, and because Lennie is mentally handicapped, George is able to dominate the relationship and make the decisions for both of them.
George needs Lennie to be part of his dream of buying and living on a small farm. He needs a companion for the dream to have any meaning, as it would be no fun to be living alone.
Finally, George's yelling is just his manner. It's also a way to let off steam. Lennie knows that George doesn't really mean it.

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