In Of Mice and Men, was George shooting Lennie justified?

Although the
answer to this question can be defended either way, I feel thatis justified in killing. Aside
form the fact that Lennie has been and will continue to be a hindrance to George in both his
personal and professional life, this is not George's main motivation for carrying out such a
serious deed. Ultimately, George kills Lennie in a sense of mercy. Lennie, although he may have
continued on living a happy, oblivious life, would most likely have found a much worse demise.
Due to his lack of cognitive skills and his unbridled brute strength, Lennie continuously found
himself...