Why does the book begin and end at the pond? (Textual evidence)

Steinbeck frames his story with the tranquil setting by the creek. It is both the starting point of the novel and the ending point of the novel. The fact that the beginning and the end of the novel are set in the same location signals the full circle of their time together after they leave weed. The two left weed because Lennie got into trouble...... he then followed the instructions George gave him when he got into trouble again. They talked about their dream at the pond...... a dream that was no longer possible, but George couldn't protect him from what would happen due to Curley's wife's death....... so he ended it while they talked about their dream.