I would add as well that, in the story, the symbiotic relationship of George and Lennie also suffered the sad incidents caused by Lennie that directly led to them a) having to change what "their dream" was- having enough money to lead an independent life, and b) giving it up when George ended up shooting Lennie to avoid the lynching that was coming to him for accidentally killing Curley's wife.
The conflict in this case is the many ways that George tried so hard to include Lennie in his dreams, basically b/c he had not much of a choice but to take care of him due to his condition as a dependent, and potentially retarded man. This, contrasts with the fact that because he is "stuck" with Lennie he has to suffer the consequences of Lennie's incapabilities, and this led ultimately to the end of it all. It was a no-win situation.
On this, George says:
"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 get a job an' work, an no trouble. No mess at all, and when the end of the month come I could take my fifty bucks and go into town and get whatever I want" (p 11-12).
On losing the dream, George says:
"I think I knowed from the very first. I think I knowed we'd never do her. He usta like to hear about it so much I got to thinking maybe we would" (p 103).
The conflict between George and Lennie arises because George has been taking care or Lennie and looking after him for most of their adult lives. At this point in George's life he truely wishes that he could rid himself of Lennie and lead his own life, however George would never tell Lennie this nor would he purposely try to get rid of him. It was a childhood prank that made Lennie the way that he is and because of this, George feels obligated to take care of Lennie as best as he can. But, at this point, George is becoming overly frustrated at everything that happens and wishes that he could live his own life, without the worry and hassle of Lennie always being so needy and right by his side. This is why there is a conflict between these two characters.
Why is there conflict between George and Lennie in Of Mice and Men?
One irony about the conflicting relationship of George and Lenny is the fact that George knows that he would be better off without the burden of caring for the mentally diminished Lenny:
If I was alone, I could live so easy. I could get a job an'work, an' no trouble...and when the end of the month comes, I could take my 50 bucks and go into town and get whatever I want.
However, he also understands Steinbeck's theme of the community of man that helps men measure the world. When asked why he travels with Lenny, George tells Slim,
I aint got no people. I seen the guys...
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that go around on ranches alone. They ain't no good. They don't have no fun. After a long time they get mean...wantin' to fight.....'Course Lennie's...a nuisance most of the time, but you get used to going around with a guy an' you can't get rid of him.
In addition, the childlike Lenny--albeit the cause of their troubles--is the reason that George can keep alive the dream of having a ranch and happiness, a dream that protects them from a pedatory world. Once Lenny dies, George knows that the dream, too, is dead. Using an old cliche, George "can't live with him, but he can't live without him," either.
Why is there conflict between George and Lennie in Of Mice and Men?
The characters of George Milton and Lennie Small are about as different as night and day. Steinbeck goes to great length to create very different personas for the two men, even making the two different physically. George is described as being small and quick, while Lennie Small is, ironically, a giant of a man. George is also quick-thinking and crafty; Lennie is mentally challenged.
Considering all this, conflict between the two characters is inevitable. George has promised Lennie's Aunt Clara that he will look out for Lennie, and he makes a sincere effort to do so. The combination of Lennie's enormous strength and his diminished intellect, however, leads to much trouble. George is continually rescuing Lennie from the consequences of his actions until at last, Lennie does something so egregious that George knows he cannot protect his friend any longer. When Lennie accidentally kills Curley's wife, the conflict reaches a climax which must be resolved. To spare Lennie from the mob, George kills his friend.