Of Mice and Men: Methods of Characterization (Chapter 1)
In chapter 1, George and Lennie walk up to a pond in a clearing. They have been run out of Weed but have work permits for a ranch near Soledad. Lennie, who is a little slow
asks George to tell the story about their dream of living “off the fat of the land.” George agrees to tell the story, which includes Lennie taking care of the rabbits. George and
Lennie care about each other, and have a closer connection then most men during this era.
Character’s Name
What the story says? This should be a
CD with page #s.
Method of
Characterization
What is revealed about the character? This is
your commentary. Unpack the CD.
Theme
Lennie
“Lennie dabbled is big paw in the water and wiggled
his fingers so the water arose in little splashes; rings
widened across the pool to the other side and came
back again. Lennie watched them go. ‘Look,
George. Look what I done’” (3)
Actions
Speaking
Limitations
Mental Capacity
George
“’Whatever we ain’t got, that’s what you want. God
a’mighty, if I was alone I could live so easy… ‘ ‘
An’whatta I got,’ George wen ton furiously. ‘I got
you!... You get in trouble. You do bad things and I
got to get you out’” (10).
Actions
Speech
Effects
This quote shows that Lennie is very child-like. Even though he is
an adult man, he appreciates the simple joys in life. The author
describes Lennie’s hand as a paw. This could refer back to when
he was described as a “bear” a few paragraphs below. This
reference could be inferring that Lennie is animal-like. He does
not have control over his actions.
George becomes angry and frustrated when Lennie asks for
ketchup. He is short-tempered with Lennie. He seems to feel
trapped by his obligation to Lennie. Because Lennie cannot
control his actions, George has to get him out of trouble. This is a
burden for George. However, after he speaks cruelly he looked
“ashamedly” into the flames of their fire. This suggests that he
feels guilty for exploding.
George
“’Cause I want you to stay with me. Trouble with
mice is you always kill ‘em.’ He paused. ‘Tell you
what I’ll do, Lennie. First chance I get I’ll give you a
pup…’” (12)
Speech
George feels responsibility for Lennie. He wants to take care of
Lennie and keep Lennie out of trouble. Lennie loves to pet soft
things, George hopes by giving Lennie a puppy that he will stop
killing mice.
Responsibility
Connection/Friendship
George
“’ With us it ain’t like that. We got a future. We got
somebody to talk to that gives a damn about us.
We don’t have to sit in no bar room blowin’ in out
jack jus’ because we got no place else to go. If them
other guys gets in jail they can rot for all anybody
gives a damn. But not us’” (13)/
Speech
effects
George and Lennie has a strong connection. They care for each
other. Because they have each other, they have something to
live for. They dream about their future when they will “live off
the fatta the lan’”. The other men our lonely- hopeless.
Loneliness
Friendship
Dreams/Hope
Friendship
Disappointments
Limitations/challenges
Responsibility
Thematic Message: Steinbeck spends the entire first chapter creating the setting. Part of that setting is the relationship between George and Lennie. The bond between
these men gives both men hope and a purpose. Steinbeck infers that humans crave connections with each other.