Literature Essay Outline: George (student work)

The character George in Steinbeck’s ‘Of Mice and Men’ is a literary illusion to John Milton who wrote ‘Paradise Lost’. This book foreshadows shattered dreams for the character George throughout the novella. Straight away we see paradise ruined in Chapter 1 when we see nature disrupted by man. George is also significant because as part of the microcosm of the Great Depression, George is a character which stands out for having a strong companionship, which was unnatural at the time.

 Appearance

·         Small & thin

·         Simple description signifies simple nature

·         “defined” suggests his sharp character

Aggressive

·         When Candy tries to get involved with the dream George jumps in “you got nothing with us”

·         Wants Lennie to fight Curley back

·         Gets frustrated with Lennie  - Lennie doesn’t always listen – has to repeat everything

·         George snaps at Slim for thinking it is unusual to have a companion

Dependant on his dream

·         Was ready to go as soon as he could

·         Lennie’s behaviour is unpredictable - Could ruin dream at any moment

·         Has to work for people he doesn’t respect (Curley)

 Leader to Lennie

·         First scene walked ahead of Lennie

·         Helps him get out of trouble (in Weed)

·         Relied on simple things; getting a job and finding food

·         George has more power than Lennie

·         ‘George won’t let me tend rabbits’ – Lennie does what he is told and worries about what George will think

·         Lennie has great respect for him – opening scene – ‘imitated George exactly’

·         Authoritative figure – ‘don’t drink so much’

 Realistic

·         Lies under the stars and is happy (Ch1) – enjoys being free

·         George tells Lennie off for his own good

·         Tries to help him learn “I got you to look after me and you got me to look after you”

·         Can read people

·         Trusts slim

·         Hates Curley immediately – trouble for Lennie

·         Curley’s Wife is dangerous ‘poison’

 George would be fine alone

·         Lennie inflicts trouble – restrains his bright future

·         “If I was alone I could live so easy. I could go get a job an’ work an’ no trouble”

·         Good at finding work

·         Reasonably smart

Friendship

·         Lennie brings George companionship – lets him believe his dream could come true

·         Takes advantage of power over Lennie – told him to jump into river – saved him – told Slim he will never do anything like that again

·         Calls Lennie a “crazy bastard” – projects his frustration on Lennie

·         Loyalty – “I want you to stay with me, Lennie”

·         Kills Lennie for the better

·         Lost his companionship and shatters his dream

·         Subconsciously dependant on Lennie as he braves him for his failures

·         George defends Lennie – ‘George broke in “Lennie was jus’ scairt”’

 Lonely

·         Plays solitaire which is a solitary game

·         Lennie is hard to converse with as he is mentally weak

·         Unable to settle down, have family, have secure job – Lennie unpredictable

·         After killing Lennie - alone