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Of Mice and Men - Character – George

At the start of the novel George’s character is revealed to us through his treatment of Lennie and his anger at the bus driver who has deliberately dropped them short of their destination.

George’s character is complicated and unclear – he is angry and aggressive and yet he is caring and shows, through his fantasy of having his own ranch, that he is a dreamer.

Looking at the following areas it is your job to write a Mini Essay that shows your understanding of George’s character in the first chapter of the novel. (The quotes and the page numbers have been done for you!).

What does George’s physical description tell us about the type of person he is?

What does his relationship with and treatment of Lennie tell us about his personality?

What does George’s language (the way he speaks) tell us about the type of life he has lead?

What does George’s “dream” tell us about his life and his character?

Complete the following table in your jotter. The first row has been completed for you to show you what is expected. You must fill in the context of the quote (what is happening at the time) to demonstrate your understanding. Then look at the quote and analyse the language stating what it shows you about George’s character.

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Mini Essay Question

What do we learn about George’s character at the start of the novel?

What is happening in the story

Context

Evidence of this

Quote

What does this tell us about George’s character?Analysis / Evaluate

When we first meet George at the start of the novel he is described as someone who is small and quick. We can tell quite a lot about George’s personality from the way he is described to us.

“The first man was small and quick, with a dark face, restless eyes and a thin nose.”Page 6

The word-choice used to describe George suggests that his looks match his personality. The word quick tells us that he is intelligent, however the word dark suggests that he is troubled and the word restless tells us he is frustrated and irritated. It seems as if George is constantly annoyed.

“You fool, you never had your card. I’ve got it. Do you think I’d give it to you and let you carry it?”Page 7

Comment on George’s attitude. Why is he so frustrated? Is his nastiness justifiable?

“Give it to me,” George said again.“Let me keep it.’“Give it to me!’ repeated George angrily. Lenny slowly handed the mouse to George. George took the mouse and threw it to the other side of the river.”Page 8

Comment on George’s action here? What is he trying to do? What do you think of the way he speaks to Lennie?

“You get in trouble, and I have to get you out of it. You fool. You cause trouble for me all of the time.”Page 12

Comment on George’s temper and choice of language. Why is he like this? What is making him so angry – is it Lennie or is there something else that is bothering George?

“Men like us, who work on ranches, are the loneliest men in the world.”Page 13

Comment on the word-choice. Mention theme. Why are George and Lennie lonely?

“Some day we’re going to have enough money and we’re going to buy a little house with some land, a cow and some pigs and…”‘And we’re going to live, really live, ’ Lennie shouted.”Page 13/14

Comment on the importance of the dream…why do George and Lennie repeat this speech together at night? Why do they have the dream at all? What is the dream? How is the dream different from the way they are currently living their lives? Who believes in the dream more at this stage? George or Lennie?

Now you have completed the table in your jotter you are ready to write your mini-essay.

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Mini EssayNow continue your response using your notes to help you. Your essay should show understanding (context), reference to the text (quote) and evaluative response (analysis and personal comment).

You have read the first chapter and made notes on the character of George and your feelings about him.

You should discuss the following:

What George’s physical description tells us about the type of person he is?

What his relationship with and treatment of Lennie tell us about his personality?

What George’s language (the way he speaks) tells us about his personality?

What George’s “dream”, of owning a ranch, tells us about his life and his character?

Give your personal response to the character at each point. Also sum up your feelings about George at this early stage in the novel. What do you dislike about him? What feelings or concerns do you have towards him?

RememberIn each paragraph you should demonstrate:

UNDERSTANDING

Your ability to refer to the text to support the point you are making and ANALYSE what this suggests about the character

Your personal response to the character at this point in the novel (EVALUATION)

Use the model answer to formulate your response

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George

Turning Your Notes into Writing

You are now ready to start your mini – essay. Use all the information from the table in your jotter.

Below is an example of how you will structure and link your ideas into a piece of critical writing.

Follow the following diagram when formulating your response.

Context Quote / Evidence Analysis Comment

Context When we first meet George at the start of the novel he is described as someone who is small and quick. We can tell quite a lot about George’s personality from the way he is described to us.

Quote / Evidence “The first man was small and quick, with a dark face, restless eyes and a thin nose.”

Analysis The word-choice used to describe George suggests that his looks match his personality. The word quick tells us that he is intelligent, however the word dark suggests that he is troubled and the word restless tells us he is frustrated and irritated. It seems as if George is constantly annoyed.

Personal Comment Although George is obviously intelligent I get the impression from his description that he is not a very happy person.

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Mini-Essay Question:

What do we learn about George’s character at the start of the novel?

Character Development – George

As the story continues we learn more about George and begin to understand his character more fully.

George is very protective of Lennie and is suspicious of nearly everyone he meets. He is confrontational and does not find it easy to trust or accept others. George and Lennie isolate themselves from the other men, although George does open up to Slim, the ranch workers’ foreman.

George gradually reveals to the reader the nature of he and Lennie’s relationship and the reasons why he and Lennie have such a tight bond of friendship. In George’s dealings with the other men on the ranch we get a clear picture of why he is the type of person he is.

Looking at the following areas it is your job to write a Mini Essay that demonstrates your understanding of George’s character as the novel continues. (The quotes and the page numbers have been done for you!).

What does George’s reaction to the boss, Candy, Curly and Curly’s wife tell us about his state of mind?

What does his reaction to Curly’s wife reveal about George?

What does his conversation with Slim reveal about George’s past and his relationship with Lennie?

How does George react to Candy’s proposition? How can this be seen as a key scene as far as plot and theme are concerned?

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Mini Essay 2 Question

What do we learn about George’s character as the novel progresses?


Context

Evidence of this

Quote


George is very defensive and wary of other characters. When he first meets the character Candy, he is aggressive and defensive.

“You was pokin’ your big ears into our business,’ George said. ‘ I don’t like nobody to get nosy.”

Comment on George’s over the top reaction to Candy’s questioning.

Why is George so defensive?

Does George’s attitude make life easier for he and Lennie or more difficult?

When George and Lennie meet Curley’s wife for the first time, Lennie is….

“Well you keep away from her, ‘cause she’s a rat trap if I ever seen one. You let Curley take the rap. He let himself in for it. Glove fulla vaseline,’ George said disgustedly”

Comment on George’s attitude. Why is he so aggressive and upset?

Is his nastiness justifiable?

Comment on the language he uses to talk about women…is there a reason for his hatred?

Despite his attempts to keep a low profile, George….

“George said, ‘Ya know Lennie, I’m scared I’m gonna tangle with that bastard myself. I hate his guts. Jesus Christ!’”

Comment on George’s reaction to Curly here.Why does George feel so strongly?Is George’s attitude helpful?What reasons are there for him to be like this?

When George is alone with….

“I ain’t got no people, ‘ George said. ‘ I seen the guys that go around on the ranches alone. That ain’t no good. They don’t have no fun. After a long time they get mean. They get to want to fighting the whole time.’ ‘Yeah, they get mean,’ Slim agreed. ‘They get so they don’t want to talk to nobody.’

Comment on George’s tone and the content of his speech to Slim?

Why does he suddenly tell Slim how he is feeling?

What is ironic about George’s statements?

Why do we feel sorry for George at this point of the novel?

“They fell into a silence. They looked at one another, amazed. This thing they had never really believed in was coming true. George said reverently, “Jesus Christ! I bet we could swing her.’ His eyes were full of wonder. ‘I bet we could swing her,’ he said reverently.’”

What change has taken place in George’s attitude towards life and the dream?

Why is this a significant turning point?

Comment on the word choice of ‘wonder’ and ‘reverently’ – what does this tell us about

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George’s desire for his dream?

Now you have completed the table in your jotter you are ready to complete the mini-essay.




What does George’s reaction to the boss, Candy, Curly and Curly’s wife tell us about his state of mind? What does his reaction to Curly’s wife reveal about George? What does his conversation with Slim reveal about George’s past and his relationship with Lennie? How does George react to Candy’s proposition? How can this be seen as a key scene as far as plot and theme are concerned?

Give your personal response to the character at each point. Also sum up your feelings about George and his relationship with the other characters in the novel. What are your concerns about his character – why does he behave the way he does – do you have sympathy for him?


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UNDERSTANDING


Your personal response to the character at this point in the novel (EVALUATION)Use the model answer to formulate your response

George Chapters two and three


Now you have completed your mind-map in which you included personal response to the Analysis on George’s character in chapters two and three, you are ready to complete your next mini – essay.




Context George is very defensive and wary of other characters. When he first meets the character Candy, he is aggressive and defensive.

Quote / Evidence “You was pokin’ your big ears into our business,’ George said. ‘ I don’t like nobody to get nosy.”

Analysis George is totally over the top in his reaction to Candy’s question

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What impressions do we form of the character of George and his relationship with Lennie as the novel continues?Pupils should draw attention to the complicated and frustrated nature of George’s personality.

and demonstrates that he is a very uptight and stressed individual. He is attempting to keep a low profile at the start of the novel but only serves to drum up attention and suspicion from all of the men he comes into contact with. This is ironic as George is achieving exactly the opposite of what he set out to achieve.

Personal Comment While George has reason to be suspicious of other people given he and Lennie’s past experiences, George is not sensible in his treatment of strangers as he creates tension by being too aggressive. I don’t think that George really realizes that he is making his own life more difficult by doing this.

Key Scene – The Fight

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As Lennie and George’s fantasy becomes a reality at the introduction of Candy’s savings, their mood is violently interrupted by the arrival of Curley and Slim who are fighting over Curley’s wife.

As Lennie doesn’t know how to react to the new mood and situation, Curley misinterprets his happiness for mockery. He immediately seizes the opportunity to fight with Lennie and impress the watching men with his bravado.

w does the fight start?

What are the reasons for Curley picking on Lennie; to what extent can we hold George responsible?

How does George act during the fight? What are his reasons for behaving in this way?

How can this scene be seen as the beginning of the end for Lennie? What questions does it make us ask about George’s personality and responsibility for Lennie?


Context

Evidence of this

Quote


What is happening at this point in the novel?

When Curley

“Then Curley’s rage exploded. ‘Come on, ya big bastard. Get up on your feet. No big son-of-a-bitch is gonna laugh at me. I’ll show you who’s yella.’

Why does Curley go for Lennie? – To what extent is this George’s fault?

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Mini Essay 3 Question

To what extent is George responsible for what happens to Lennie at the hands of Curley?

cannot scare or intimidate any of the other men in the bunkhouse he is drawn towards Lennie because of his size and the fact that Lennie is laughing at him. Lennie is thinking about the farm and the dream and is unaware of how his behaviour is being picked up. The fight has started before he has a chance to escape.

Lennie looked helplessly at George, and then tried to retreat.”

What might George have done at this point? Why doesn’t he do anything?

What is happening at this point in the novel?

Instead of…

When Lennie is

“George put out his hand and grabbed Slim. ‘Wait a minute,’ he shouted. He cupped his hands around his mouth and yelled, ‘Get ‘im, Lennie!’

Why does he not let Slim get involved?

What does this show about George and violence…the dream…Lennie?

Is he using Lennie?

When George is alone with….

“George broke in, ‘Lennie was jus’ scairt,’ he explained. ‘He didn’t know what to do. I told you nobody ought never to fight him. No, I guess it was Candy I told.’

Comment on George’s tone and the content of his speech to Slim?

Why does he suddenly tell Slim how he is feeling?

What is ironic about George’s statements?

Why do we feel sorry for George at this point of the novel?

Now you have completed the table in your jotter you are ready to complete the mini-essay.

Mini Essay11

Now continue your response using your notes to help you. Your essay should show understanding (context), reference to the text (quote) and evaluative response (analysis and personal comment).

You have read the third chapter, the fight scene, and made notes on the character of George and your feelings about his role in the fight.


Why the fight starts, and why Lennie is the immediate victim?

Why Curley picks on Lennie even though other men have directly insulted him; to what extent can we hold George responsible?

How does George act during the fight? What are his reasons for behaving in this way?

How can this scene be seen as the beginning of the end for Lennie? What questions does it make us ask about George’s personality and responsibility for Lennie?

Give your personal response to the character at each point. Also sum up your feelings about George and his reasons for allowing the fight and not ending it before Curley got hurt. What are your concerns about his character – why does he behave the way he does –is he only looking out for Lennie, or is he still using him?


UNDERSTANDING

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Your personal response to the character at this point in the novel (EVALUATION)Use the model answer to formulate your response

Now you have completed your mind-map in which you included personal response to the Analysis on George’s character in chapters two and three, you are ready to complete your next mini – essay.




Context When Curley cannot scare or intimidate any of the other men in the bunkhouse he is drawn towards Lennie because of his size and the fact that Lennie is laughing at him. Lennie is

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What impressions do we form of the character of George and his relationship with Lennie as the novel continues?Pupils should draw attention to the complicated and frustrated nature of George’s personality.

thinking about the farm and the dream and is unaware of how his behaviour is being picked up. The fight has started before he has a chance to escape.

Quote / Evidence “Then Curley’s rage exploded. ‘Come on, ya big bastard. Get up on your feet. No big son-of-a-bitch is gonna laugh at me. I’ll show you who’s yella.’

Lennie looked helplessly at George, and then tried to retreat.”

Analysis In many ways Lennie is helpless to prevent or cope with the complexity of the situation. George is in total control of Lennie’s thought and actions and as such Lennie naturally looks to his friend for help. It is strange at this point that George does not intervene on Lennie’s behalf and try and stop the fight. Perhaps George knows only too well that Lennie will eventually react and that he will seriously hurt Curly. In many ways we can perhaps accuse George of exploiting Lennie in getting him to fight with a man he personally resents.

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Judging George at the End of the Novel

At the end of the novel George is forced to react to Lennie’s latest behaviour. Lennie has not only killed the puppy he was entrusted with by Slim, he has haplessly murdered Curley’s wife in an attempt to silence her screams lest he be punished by George.

While George is playing Horseshoes outside with the other men, Lennie is left alone with Curley’s wife, who, equally lonely as the men on the ranch, is simply desperate to find someone to talk to. The events that follow are tragic, culminating in George’s assassination of his best friend.

In this final stage of the novel you will be asked to think about;

the confrontation between Lennie and Curley’s wife – to what extent is George responsible for what happened…even if he wasn’t there?

You will also be asked to comment on George’s behaviour immediately following the discovery of Curley’s wife’s body – what do his actions suggest about his priorities and his feelings for Lennie?

You will also be asked to comment on the way that George kills his once friend? Is he acting in Lennie’s best interest?


Context

Evidence of this

Quote


Lennie becomes very upset when Curley’s wife starts to shout and scream. He doesn’t have the emotional ability to realise that she is scared

“Oh! Please don’t do none of that,’ he begged. ‘George gonna say I done a bad thing. He ain’t gonna let me tend no rabbits’”

Where is George at this point of the novel…is this irresponsible of him? Yes/NoWhat is Lennie’s main worry?How can we say that

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Mini Essay Question 4

What do we think of George’s actions at the end of the novel?

and could be easily reassured. Instaed of trying to calm her, Lennie’s distress and fear that she could expose him for killing the puppy cause him to panic, snapping Curley’s wife’s neck.

this is George’s fault….To what extent is this just a combination of loneliness and violence on the ranch in general?

“Now you listen. The guys might think I was in on it. I’m gonna go in the bunk house. Then in a minute you come out and tell the guys about her, and I’ll come along and make like I never seen her. Will you do that? So the guys won’t think I was in on it?’”

Comment on George’s behaviour immediately following the discovery of Curley’s wife’s body – what do his actions suggest about his priorities and his feelings for Lennie?

What is happening here

“Ever’body gonna be nice to you. Ain’t gonna be no more trouble. Nobody gonna hurt nobody nor steal from ‘em.’

Comment on George’s action here? What is he trying to do? What do you think of the way he speaks to Lennie?


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Mini Essay Question 4

What do we think of George’s actions at the end of the novel?



The confrontation between Lennie and Curley’s wife – to what extent is George responsible for what happened…even if he wasn’t there?

You will also be asked to comment on George’s behaviour immediately following the discovery of Curley’s wife’s body – what do his actions suggest about his priorities and his feelings for Lennie?

You will also be asked to comment on the way that George kills his once friend? Is he acting in Lennie’s best interest?

Give your personal response to the character at each point. Also sum up your feelings about George at this late stage of the novel. To what extent do you blame about him? What feelings of sympathy or pity do you have for him?


UNDERSTANDING


Your personal response to the character at this point in the novel (EVALUATION)Use the model answer to formulate your responseGeorge Chapter 1


Now you have completed your mind-map in which you included personal response to the Analysis on George’s character in the

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opening chapter, you are ready to complete your first mini – essay.




Context Lennie becomes very upset when Curley’s wife starts to shout and scream. He doesn’t have the emotional ability to realise that she is scared and could be easily reassured. Instead of trying to calm her, Lennie’s distress and fear that she could expose him for killing the puppy cause him to panic, snapping Curley’s wife’s neck.

Quote / Evidence “Oh! Please don’t do none of that,’ he begged. ‘George gonna say I done a bad thing. He ain’t gonna let me tend no rabbits’”

Analysis It is interesting that Lennie’s main fear is not of being found alone in the barn with another man’s wife, but by what George might say to him should he be found with a dead puppy. Lennie is incapable of putting any of his actions into perspective and as such becomes very distressed when Curley’s wife threatens to upset his relationship with George.

Personal Comment I think that part of the blame for what happens to Curley’s wife as Lennie is acting as much out of fear of George as he is out of guilt over the dead dog. Had George perhaps been less vi9olent and aggressive

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What do we think of George’s actions at the end of the novel?Pupils should draw attention to the complicated situation and circumstances surrounding George’s actions.

towards Lennie, things might not have got so violent so quickly and Curley’s wife’s death might have been avoidable.

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