Final answer:
In John Steinbeck's 'Of Mice and Men', Slim is the only character who truly understands why George kills Lennie, viewing it as a mercy killing to protect Lennie from a lynch mob.
Step-by-step explanation:
The passage in question is from John Steinbeck's novel, Of Mice and Men, and the only person who truly understands the real reason why George kills Lennie is Slim. Slim is a character who is depicted as wise and understanding, able to see the complexities of the situation that George is in. The act of George killing Lennie is a mercy killing; George wants to save Lennie from a worse fate at the hands of a lynch mob stirred up by Curley after Lennie accidentally kills Curley's wife. Through this action, George demonstrates his deep understanding of Lennie's innocence and inability to control his own strength and the dangers that the world poses to him. It's a deeply tragic decision, fueled by compassion and a desire to protect Lennie from suffering.