This is a mind map for the character of George from of mice and men. I'm currently studying it for my GCSE English exam, so may not be in enough detail for higher levels (e.g. A level)
Appearance: George is "small and
quick," with restless
eyes and sharp, strong features."
This suggests that George may be
unhappy because of his 'restless
eyes', but also that he's intelligent
and has a strong personality.
He looks after Lennie, and
is responsible for him.
He therefore feels responsible to shoot Lennie, even
though its hard, because its better for him to do it. This
can be seen as heroic of George, even though its
murder.
Slim: "That ain't no good,
George." George: "I know, I
know."
George is very level- headed, and has his life in
control. We can see this because he likes to keep
healthy and is clean-living.
The part of his life which is out of control is Lennie.
"what the hell kind of bed you giving us,
anyways. We don't want no pant rabbits."
George is caring, but he
is also fearful of being
lonely eventhough he has Lennie
" 'I ain't got no people,' George said, 'I seen the guys that
go round the ranches on their own. That ain't no good.
They don't have no fun. After a long time they get mean.' "
George is a good judge
of character.
" You keep away from Curley,
Lennie."
George is also very
modest.
"I ain't nothing to scream about,
but Lennie there can put up
more grain alone than most
pairs can."
This also shows George's love for
Lennie, even though at the beginning
of the book, he seemed mean
towards him.
George represents a lot of men in that time, who,
like him, wanted to have something of their own.
Having that dream made Georges work bearable,
but when Lennie died, the dream died as well.