George
· Described as leader, ‘the first man’
· ‘sharp, strong features’ – bold character
· ‘strong hands’ – good worker
· ‘every part of him was defined’ – he’s independent, knows what he’s about
· ‘dressed in denim’ – practical, cheap clothes – George doesn’t have much money
· ‘brass buttons’ – proud even with his situation
· Name → Milton – creates a relation between George and John Milton who wrote a poem about shattered dreams: foretells George’s own shattered dreams
· Strengths:
o Resourceful, perceptive
o Understands other’s feelings (Candy after dog was shot)
· Weaknesses:
o Can’t accept his own failure
o Can’t accept situation he is in – blames Lennie for bad situations
· Needing Lennie:
o Lennie helps George get jobs + could produce a higher pay – strong, promising worker
o Lennie produces protection, companionship for George
o Boosts his self-esteem, confidence, feels superior to Lennie
o Provides a sense of responsibility to live for
o Someone to project self-pity/frustration on
· George in:
o Section 1: described as seen to other people (see descriptions at the top)
o Section 2: Seen as confident with other ranch men, suspicious of them – yellow can he found by his bed that kills lice and other creatures, short tempered ‘George was working up a slow anger’
o Section 3: George seems friendly – makes friendship with Slim, we see his empathy for Candy (dog shot)
o Section 4: spends time with other ranch men – sociable, irresponsible to leave Lennie behind?
o Section 5: See George’s love for Lennie, sadness for him
o Section 6: George’s kindness to make Lennie die happy
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