George Milton

Question 1

How is George described?

Answer 1

• Physically small with sharp features

- A comparison to Lennie who is huge

Question 2

Why is George’s last name significant to the novel?

Answer 2

• Milton is the surname of the author of one of Steinbeck’s favourite works: “Paradise Lost”
• Adam and Eve fall from grace in Eden
• So mankind is doomed to be a lonely being
• Critics say George may represent this doomed man who wants to return to Eden, but looses his chance when he kills Lennie

Question 3

What emotions do Georges personality reflect?

Answer 3

Understanding, anger and cautiousness:
- He makes suggestions on how to get to the ranch they want
- He comes up with possible things that could go wrong in doing this
C This shows he is rational and thoughtful.
HOWEVER
- George can get angry at Lennie’s inability to control his actions and says he will “give him hell”
- His anger quickly fades as he remembers Lennie’s innocence

Question 4

What does George get out of his bond between himself and Lennie?

Answer 4

• Makes him feel special: he has a companion and a friend
• Makes him different from the other ranch hands who have no one
• Gives him a strong sense of responsibility, because of Lennie’s submissiveness, he is allowed to take control of the two of them

Question 5

What does George understand and also not know about Lennie?

Answer 5

• He understands Lennie lacks the capability to think rationally, prioritise or understand in depth human emotion
• He knows Lennie doesn’t feel guilt and doesn’t understand death beyond it being bad
• However, he doesn’t realise how dangerous physically Lennie can be, which leads to their demise

Question 6

How does George’s dream separate him from others?

Answer 6

• He has something to look forward to and to anticipate

Question 7

What does George see in the dream?

Answer 7

• He doesn’t really think it could happen and only says it to keep Lennie believing
• Lennie adds the true enthusiasm
• He uses it to think of what would happen if he didn’t have to worry about getting into trouble with Lennie

Question 8

How is the dream in reality?

Answer 8

• It is simply a dream, George only used it to feel what life would be like when he didn’t have to worry about what Lennie did
• He never really believed in the dream: “I think I knowed from the very first. I think I know’d we’d never do her. He usta like to hear about it so much I got to thinking maybe we would [be able to have the farm.]”
• Lennie is the keeper of the dream, he believes the dream is possible so whilst he is alive, it is alive in Georges head
• When Lennie dies, the dream ceases to be possible