Of Mice and Men, Character Sketch George
English 1D0
5 May 2012
Protagonist George Character Analysis
George Milton is a complex character from the novella, Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck. He travels with his long time companion, Lennie Small since Lennie is unable to care for himself. He has no family and spends his days working as a ranch hand. In the novella, the protagonist George is an authoritative,, resentful, yet very compassionate character.
George's authoritative nature is evident form the start of the novella. His companion Lennie is small minded and often acts like a child. Therefore, George must be very direct to ensure that Lennie understands and can take orders so that there will not be any problems or confusion. In the beginning of the novella Lennie carries around a dead mouse and George has to scowl him to get him to give it up. “You gonna give me that mouse or do i have to sock you?” (Steinbeck 8). George acts like a father to Lennie because he has to, Lennie does not know any better and needs that parental like guidance.
As a result of George's authoritative nature and giving up part of his life to care for Lennie, he is often resentful. George loves Lennie but he is a constant nuisance to him. When George gets frustrated he expresses his true feelings about his life. “... God a'mighty, if I was alone I could live so easy...” (Steinbeck 11). George feels that if Lennie was not around and if he did not have to care for him, he would be able to live a better life. When George gets annoyed with Lennie, his irritable quality becomes apparent.
Even though George is authoritative and sometimes resentful in his relationship with Lennie, he is also very compassionate in the way he treats him. It is clear to many of the characters in the novella that George cares deeply for Lennie. “Well I never seen one guy take so much trouble for another guy.” (Steinbeck 22). When George realizes that Lennie has to do, he decides that he must be the one to do it. George put Lennie in a
5 May 2012
Protagonist George Character Analysis
George Milton is a complex character from the novella, Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck. He travels with his long time companion, Lennie Small since Lennie is unable to care for himself. He has no family and spends his days working as a ranch hand. In the novella, the protagonist George is an authoritative,, resentful, yet very compassionate character.
George's authoritative nature is evident form the start of the novella. His companion Lennie is small minded and often acts like a child. Therefore, George must be very direct to ensure that Lennie understands and can take orders so that there will not be any problems or confusion. In the beginning of the novella Lennie carries around a dead mouse and George has to scowl him to get him to give it up. “You gonna give me that mouse or do i have to sock you?” (Steinbeck 8). George acts like a father to Lennie because he has to, Lennie does not know any better and needs that parental like guidance.
As a result of George's authoritative nature and giving up part of his life to care for Lennie, he is often resentful. George loves Lennie but he is a constant nuisance to him. When George gets frustrated he expresses his true feelings about his life. “... God a'mighty, if I was alone I could live so easy...” (Steinbeck 11). George feels that if Lennie was not around and if he did not have to care for him, he would be able to live a better life. When George gets annoyed with Lennie, his irritable quality becomes apparent.
Even though George is authoritative and sometimes resentful in his relationship with Lennie, he is also very compassionate in the way he treats him. It is clear to many of the characters in the novella that George cares deeply for Lennie. “Well I never seen one guy take so much trouble for another guy.” (Steinbeck 22). When George realizes that Lennie has to do, he decides that he must be the one to do it. George put Lennie in a