Perhaps one of the most ironic works of literature is Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. George and Lennie dream of owning their own ranch someday, but, ironically, Lennie is the biggest obstacle on the road to achieving this ambition. Lennie is the main reason George wants to buy a ranch, so he does not have to worry about him getting into trouble, and neither of them have to be told what to do. Lennie is mentally handicapped and cannot control himself, which prevents the two from getting jobs and getting further ahead in life. All they need is money to start their ranch, but since they are often fired because of Lennie's mishaps, they have very little and cannot reach their goal, and there is only one person to blame.
The dramatic and unexpected ending of this novel is the most ironic part of the story. Part of Lennie's handicap is his inability to control himself, and his tendency to get carried away and aggressive, which results in him unintentionally murdering a few animals and a woman, who happens to be the wife of their current boss. George cannot think of any way to help Lennie get out of the trouble he is in, and has run out of options to get a better life for them with him in the way, so he ends up killing him. George is Lennie's protector throughout the novel, and the fact that, in the end, he is the one that ends Lennie's life, is exceptionally ironic.
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