Character Analysis

One of the protagonists of Of Mice and Men, George Milton is a shrewd migrant worker “with restless eyes and sharp, strong features.” In many ways, he resembles a mouse: “Every part of him was defined: small, strong hands, slender arms, a thin and bony nose.” He travels with Lennie Small, whom he promised Lennie’s Aunt Clara he would protect. Although most migrant workers travel alone, George finds comfort in traveling with his companion. Through this relationship, George demonstrates his compassion and kindheartedness. 

When he was younger, George treated Lennie heartlessly, going so far as to dare Lennie to jump into the Sacramento River even though he couldn’t swim. When Lennie jumped and nearly drowned, George vowed to never hurt Lennie again and to always protect him. Although Lennie often causes trouble, George sticks by him, often serving as his voice, guardian, and mentor. When the two move to a new job site, George fears Lennie will lose them the job if he speaks. As a result, George speaks on both of their behalves—a practice which often gets the two men in trouble. 

Although George is a migrant worker, he has a vivid imagination and ambitious dreams. Throughout Of Mice and Men, George frequently expresses his desire to be his own boss instead of someone else’s lowly worker who “got no fambly… [and] don’t belong no place.” To soothe both himself and Lennie, George repeats the aspirational refrain of “living offa the fatta the lan’.” He imagines a future for him and Lennie, although he knows that it may never come true. He indulges Lennie’s imagination as well, envisioning a future in which they own their own land, “a little house and a couple of acres.” 

George demonstrates his devotion and loyalty throughout the story, even when he complains about or yells at Lennie. Even in the final tragic moments of the story, he remains dedicated to his friend. As he points the gun at Lennie’s head, George tells Lennie that he’s never been mad at him and he continues indulging Lennie’s imagination by envisioning “a little place… [living] on the fatta the lan’” where Lennie can “tend the rabbits.” By killing Lennie himself, George spares Lennie from suffering at the hands of Curley’s lynch mob. Among all the harsh and unforgiving characters in this Californian migratory society, George is the one character who understands Lennie and his weaknesses. However, despite his tender nature and best efforts, George cannot escape the migratory life. His dreams of owning his own plot of land with Lennie vanish the moment Lennie accidentally kills Curley’s wife. His character demonstrates the cruel realities of living a migratory laborer’s life and the inescapability of moving from the lower to the middle class. Both he and Lennie dream of a new life; however, by the end of the story, George cannot escape and he must continue migrating from one job site to the next.