John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men

Of Mice and Men

Similarities and Differences Between George and Lennie

John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men concerns and unlikely couple who travel about the country searching for work. Throughout the novel, characteristics of important people are similar yet different. George Milton and Lennie Small are two characters that have many differences physically, but many similarities mentally.

Initially, George Milton is a kind, short and trustworthy companion of Lennie. George travels with Lennie and helps him to survive although Lennie is more of a burden than a help. Before Aunt Clara dies, she places the trust of her only relative in the hands of George. George protects Lennie in many parts of the story by creating a reason for Leenie not to leave, such as; “ Somebody’d shoot you for a coyote if you was by yourself” (13). George often insults Lennie and “gives him hell” (87) but he doesn’t really mean it. Although he often talks about how much better off he could be without Lennie, George secretly relies on Lennie. When Lennie offers to leave, George virtually pleads with him to stay by saying, “I was jus’ foolin’” (13) This is because George depends on Lennie to a certain extent for his unconditional friendship. George has two important characteristics which are pointed out within the novel. His friendliness is immediately present as he makes friends with Candy, Carlson, Slim, and the other ranch hands. George is also intelligent . He expresses his desire to be diff...