Of Mice and Men Group

Question:

belle-brockhoff
belle-brockhoff
Student
High School - 10th Grade

In Of Mice and Men, how is the initial description of Lennie and George fitting when we find out more about each man?

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Posted by belle-brockhoff on Monday February 23, 2009 at 12:16 PM and tagged with characters, george, lennie, of mice and men.

Answers:

  1. kevinli123
    kevinli123 Teacher
    High School - 9th Grade

    It is not a very clear image in the beginning. George is described as very strong and has defined features. Lennie, however, is a slob. This gives us an initial contact of these characters and we can relate this description better as we see their actions throughout the story.

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    Posted by kevinli123 on Monday February 23, 2009 at 4:08 PM

  2. cburr
    cburr Teacher
    Middle School

    eNotes Editor

    The first bit of description we get is that George was the leader, even after they had left the narrow trail. This certainly captures an essential part of their relationship.

    We also learn that they are dressed identically. Often in the story we are told that Lennie tried to do things exactly as George did them.

    George is described as small, quick, sharp, well-defined. In contrast, Lennie is described as huge, shapeless, loose. George's eyes are restless, whereas Lennie's are large and pale. All these details suggest intelligence and personality in George, as opposed to a duller wit and malleable personality in Lennie.

    Lastly, we learn that George stops and wipes the sweat from his brow, whereas Lennie throws himself headlong towards the water and drinks with abandon. In life, George is cautious and thoughtful; Lennie is controlled by his impulses.

    By the way, I object to kevinli123's characterization of Lennie as a slob. He has low intelligence and carries himself heavily, but there is nothing in the book that suggests he was a slob.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/ofmice
    http://www.enotes.com/ofmice/characters

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    Posted by cburr on Tuesday February 24, 2009 at 9:54 AM