George is an average man who works hard to make a living. Like most people, George wants to live the American dream. In the novelette Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, George Milton is a diverse character with several important traits. Two of his main traits are controlling and caring. These seemingly contradictory traits make George an interesting character to read about. His traits are shown throughout the novelette and make George a character unlike any other. George is also a brotherly character towards Lennie, which is shown throughout the book in the way that the two men interact with each other. In many ways, George is very controlling over Lennie. He often tells Lennie what to say and do, whether to help him or to play a joke. In Of Mice and Men, George commands Lennie, “but you ain’t gonna say nothing. If he finds out what a crazy bastard you are, we won’t get no job” (Steinbeck 6). George is very directive over Lennie, and does not want him to mess up anything. Lennie listens to George because he does not know any better, and is like a little brother who wants to please his …show more content…
George does make mistakes concerning Lennie throughout the whole book, but he also attempts to fix his mistakes with acts of kindness. He is a relatable character in many ways, which makes him interesting to read about. George cares for Lennie even when he messes up, which is much like how brothers still care about each other even though they mess up. George and Lennie are the most like brothers that two men can be without actually being brothers. They care for each other, argue over the simplest things, and are usually willing to admit that they need each other. George is unlike any other character and his diverse traits are able to captivate and fascinate. The American dream is all that George has, for his dream can not truly become a reality without Lennie by his
From the beginning of the story, George always seems to get irked by Lennie’s lack of recollection. He cannot seem to remember anything George advises him, besides the American dream they share, which seems to be vividly engraved in his brain. George makes fun of him for this at times, while other times he gets understandably impatient. “‘I wasn't kicked in the head with no horse, was I, George?’ ‘Be a damn good thing if you was,’ George said viciously.
In a way, George was like a parent or a big brother to Lennie. He scolded Lennie and yelled at him, but, all in all, George was just looking out for him. Readers see how George is like a guardian to Lennie in the first chapter when George says, “Lennie!... For god’ sakes don’t drink so much... Lennie.
This also shows the overpowering control George has over Lennie’s conscience, and the consequence that Lennie can’t remember his own actions, only the stories George repeats. He is never truly angry with Lennie for his petty mistakes, he is simply thinking of the limitations of their dreams because of Lennie’s unpredictable actions. It seems George can only control Lennie by threatening him with the thing he cares about most which is the farm, “But you ain’t gonna get in no trouble, because if you do, I won’t let you tend the rabbits” he threatens, trying to make Lennie remember the importance of his actions (36). George is constantly complaining that he could have a better life and even have a farm without Lennie to look after, but he also wants a companion. Lennie is often simple minded and easily influenced, but intuitive enough to manipulate George’s loneliness, “If you don’t want me George I can go up in that cave over there and leave,” George quickly denies this saying “No, look I was just foolin’ Lennie, ‘cause I want you to stay with me” (20).
“if George sees me talkin’ to you he’ll give me hell” (87). Lennie doesn’t understand that some of his actions are morally wrong. When George gets upset, Lennie becomes increasingly hard on himself, which causes more damage.
George and Lennie 's relationship is closer than most friendships now a days. George is like Lennie 's big brother and cares for him like their family. For example, when Lennie got in trouble in Weed, George did not leave him and helped him escape. Another example of George acting like a big brother to Lennie is, he holds on to Lennie 's work card so he does not lose it. George also really cares for Lennie and does not want him to leave.
George is responsible for making sure Lennie has food, stays out of trouble, and stays safe. These seem like simple things, but not with him. When they were in Weed, he wanted to feel how soft a girl’s dress was, and didn’t let go when she wanted him to. It got completely out of hand and they had the sheriff looking for him. His memory was so awful, that after they ran out of there, he didn’t remember what he had done.
George, obviously the leader of the group, is always watching over Lennie making sure that everything he says and does will hopefully put them in a better position to get them to their dream. Though Lennie is not the brightest person, he doesn't fully understand why George wants so much out of him, resulting in George getting mad at him very easily... George states, “He’s so god damn dumb. Like what happened in weed.”
So, for the most part, George talks for him and always makes up excuses as to why things happen. George does his best to keep him “in check”, but it proves to be harder than it appears. Throughout the book, George was a loyal friend to Lennie because he saved Lennie from
From the day that Lennie’s Aunt Clara died and from the day George took Lennie in as a friend George was always there for him. If Lennie did not have George, Lennie would have no one to protect him and save him from all of the bad things that he has done. Despite all of the dangers and problems Lennie got George and himself into, George benefited and also learned from Lennie’s mistakes. George needs his ignorant sidekick as much as Lennie needs George.
George’s character does not really change during the book. However, the reader’s opinion of him starts to view him as a loving, caring figure. This change of opinion is the result of more of his character being revealed. At the start of the book he just seems like an everyday person looking for work. However, his relationship with Lennie shows a warm, brother-like character.
George would protect Lennie at all costs even from himself. After Lennie kills a young woman, George decides it is better for Lennie to be dead rather than to be tortured and kept in a cell or a mental asylum. The decision of killing Lennie hit George like a train, but he knew it was something that was in Lennie’s own good. Knowing he could have an easier life without Lennie, George still kept him around because he needed George and George needed Lennie. George tells Slim “Course Lennie’s a God damn nuisance most of the time, but you get used to goin’ around with a guy an’ you can’t get rid of him.”
At first George had taken advantage of Lennie to the point which was life threatening for lennie. After when george seemed to care about Lennie it seemed that george was still used to bossing Lennie around. Just like second nature or a bad habit. George would threaten lennie when he was frustrated, not only would he mentally abuse him, he didn’t take the responsibility of being Lennie’s caretaker.
Title Goes Here George is overall a really good friend to Lennie. George may have his moments throughout the novella Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck but his protectiveness towards Lennie, and loyalty show he truly is a good friend. George shows how protective he is for Lennie by constantly talking about him being an amazing farm hand (Steinbeck 22).
Although described as a rather large man, Lennie’s role between the two men is very childlike. Lennie is treated like a child by George because Lennie does not have the maturity or mental capability to make decisions for himself. For example, George must continuously remind Lennie of the spot he must come to if in trouble because Lennie cannot focus long enough to process this information. Lennie is also fairly unintelligent and blindly loyal to George. This loyalty is seen when George tells Lennie to jump into a river, and Lennie obeys even though he is unable to swim.
Hopeless or Hopelessness? Hopelessness and futility can lead a life into nowhere, because without hope you won 't have a dream or a goal to accomplish. Hopelessness is often shown in places where people have no hope to continue life or anything. In John Steinbeck 's novel, Of Mice and Men, it shows hopelessness in character 's dialogue, and character’s actions.