How Does Steinbeck Present Lennie A Dynamic Character

Joy Kuai

Ms. Donoghue

English 9 Honors

10/20/17

Of Mice and Men Character Analysis

Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men is a story about a journey through growth and friendship, as well as the shaping of personalities based on the consequences of the great depression. George Milton and Lennie Smalls are polar opposites and unlikely friends. Where Lennie enjoys having fun and does not think of the consequences that his actions cause, George is careful, controlling and mature. Although it may seem like there is nothing bonding George and Lennie together, the dream that they share of owning a farm and achieving stability is what ultimately keeps them together. George’s portrayal as a dynamic character in Of Mice and Men is supported throughout his journey

Because George has a paternal instinct for Lennie, he feels that Lennie’s actions are also his own. Nonetheless, as time passes, George comes to the realization that Lennie is his own person and ultimately has the ability to make his own decisions. “Slim jumped up. ‘The dirty little rat,’ [Slim] cried, ‘I’ll get [Curley] , Lennie!’ George put out his hand and grabbed Slim. ‘Wait a minute,’ [George] shouted. [George] cupped his hands around his mouth and yelled, ‘Get [Curley], Lennie!’” (Steinbeck 63). George goes from being overprotective and guarded to full-on encouraging of Lennie fighting his own fights instead of having someone else (like Slim) fighting them for him. Although George can be uptight, he is also very loving and

When Lennie makes a mistake that puts everything that they worked for at risk, instead of abandoning Lennie and getting mad at him, George makes the ultimate sacrifice and puts his best friend’s happiness above his own. “Lennie said, ‘I thought you was mad at me, George.’ ‘No,’ said George, ‘No, Lennie. I aint mad. I never been mad, an i ain't now. That’s a thing I want ya to know.’... And George raised the gun and steadied it… [George] pulled the trigger.” (Steinbeck 106). George was disgusted by the fact that he had to kill his best friend, but he knew that it was the only way Lennie could achieve happiness and not get tortured. Because of this, George knew that he had just gave up his dream for Lennie in an act of