George
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.
Expert Q&A
In Of Mice and Men's first chapter, how does George suggest his life could improve without Lennie?
In the first chapter of Of Mice and Men, George tells Lennie that his life could be better without him, saying, "God, you're a lot of trouble... I could get along so easy and so nice if I didn't have you on my tail. I could live so easy and maybe have a girl." Lennie depends on George's assistance, but George is often rather begrudging of their situation.
George and Lennie's Relationship in Of Mice and Men
In Of Mice and Men, George and Lennie's relationship is marked by deep mutual dependence and a shared dream of owning a farm, setting them apart from other ranch workers who face isolation. George acts as a protector and caretaker for the mentally impaired Lennie, offering guidance and support. Despite Lennie's challenges, George values their companionship, which provides emotional support and a semblance of family, contrasting the loneliness typical among migrant laborers. Their bond is highlighted by George’s protective nature and Lennie's loyalty, though their dream remains largely unattainable.
George's reasons for ceasing to be cruel and play tricks on Lennie in Of Mice and Men
George stops being cruel and playing tricks on Lennie because he realizes the harm they cause. After a near-drowning incident where Lennie almost dies from following George's instructions, George feels intense guilt and learns to appreciate Lennie's loyalty and innocence, deciding to protect him instead.
George's Justification and Morality in Killing Lennie
In Of Mice and Men, George kills Lennie to spare him from a brutal death at the hands of a lynch mob led by Curley, after Lennie accidentally kills Curley's wife. George decides on a mercy killing, motivated by compassion and a sense of responsibility, as Lennie would not survive imprisonment or a mob's violence. The action parallels the earlier mercy killing of Candy's dog, highlighting themes of mercy and the harsh realities of life during the Great Depression. Steinbeck uses this event to explore complex moral dilemmas and the burdens of friendship.
George and Lennie's Dream in Of Mice and Men
In Of Mice and Men, George and Lennie dream of owning a farm, symbolizing stability and independence, contrasting their current itinerant lifestyle during the Great Depression. Their vision includes a self-sustaining life "living off the fatta the lan'," with Lennie tending rabbits. This dream represents hope and respite from their harsh reality, offering a sense of belonging and freedom. Despite its allure, the dream remains unfulfilled due to the tragic events that unfold.
George's revelation to Slim about the Weed incident in Of Mice and Men
George reveals to Slim that the incident in Weed involved Lennie touching a woman's dress because he liked the fabric, which led to false accusations of attempted rape. They had to flee the town to avoid a lynch mob. This incident highlights Lennie's lack of understanding and the constant danger George faces in protecting him.
Why does Slim tell George, "You hadda, George. I swear you hadda" in Of Mice and Men?
In Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men, Slim tells George, "You hadda, George. I swear you hadda" as a consolation after George has killed Lennie. Slim, the wisest man on the ranch, understands that George's act was one of mercy to spare Lennie from a brutal death at the hands of Curley and his mob. Aware of the difficult choice George made, Slim's words aim to comfort him, acknowledging that George's actions were necessary to prevent Lennie's suffering.
George and Lennie's Struggles and Alienation in Of Mice and Men
In John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men, George and Lennie face constant struggles and alienation as itinerant workers during the Great Depression. Their precarious living conditions in a bunkhouse reflect their transient lifestyle. The duo flees from Weed after Lennie, due to his mental disability, unintentionally frightens a girl while trying to touch her dress, leading to false accusations of attempted rape. This incident foreshadows future troubles, highlighting Lennie's inability to learn from past mistakes and George's protective yet anxious role.
In Of Mice and Men, what does George claim he would be doing if he were smart?
In Of Mice and Men, George claims that if he were smart, he would have his own ranch and be bringing in his own crops instead of working on someone else's land. Additionally, he tells Lennie that if he were smart, he would leave him, get a job, and enjoy life without the burden of taking care of Lennie. Despite these thoughts, George values their companionship.
George's Relationship and Actions Toward Lennie in Of Mice and Men
In Of Mice and Men, the relationship between George and Lennie is complex, characterized by both care and manipulation. Lennie, despite his mental limitations, intuitively manipulates George's emotions to gain sympathy, often using threats of leaving to make George feel guilty for his harsh words. George, despite expressing frustration over Lennie's actions, genuinely cares for him, protecting him from harm and reciting their dream of a better future to comfort Lennie. Ultimately, George distracts Lennie with their dream to spare him a painful death, highlighting the tragic depth of their bond.
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