Evolution of George along the story

Of Mice and Men

Choose anyone character and follow his or her evolution all along the story

Of Mice and Men is a book written by John Steinbeck that takes place in the 1930s in the United States, during the Great Depression. At that time, life was really tough and there was very high unemployment. As a result, many men traveled from town to town seeking short-term employment. In this novel, Steinbeck describes the daily lives of different migrant workers. In particular, we will study the character of George and his evolution through the story.

George is a small and quick-witted migrant worker. He travels with his friend Lennie and shares with him the dream of owning a farm. However, George must constantly look after Lennie because he is mentally handicapped. So sometimes he is mad at Lennie. At the beginning of the story, he scolds Lennie for drinking water too quickly or for having a mouse in his pocket. Indeed, he is tired and frustrated to have to leave each job because of Lennie's problems.

Nevertheless, they are true friends and George does not leave Lennie. George remains faithful to Lennie and keeps his promise to Aunt Clara.

Then, once at the ranch, he recovers hope as the story progresses.

He meets the different workers on the ranch and begins to have a social life. He confides in Slim and tells him what happened in Weed with Lennie and why they had to leave town. He also shares his dream of owning a farm with Candy and starts to think that this dream can really come true. One night, he even goes into town in a brothel with the other workers...

But unfortunately, all his dreams collapse when Lennie kills Curley's wife. George knows that Curley will get his revenge. Then George decides to shoot Lennie so that he doesn't suffer even more.

Moreover, before firing, George reminds Lennie about their common dream. So Lennie dies in peace, thinking that he will realize his dream. George takes care of his friend Lennie until the last minute of his life.

As a result, George's loyalty to Lennie does not change throughout the novel. However, George's life irrevocably changes after Lennie's death. Indeed, he loses his friend, and with him, all hope for a better life. Despite his disability, Lennie helped George to survive. But from now on, Georges is like all other migrant workers; alone and without dreams.