Of Mice And Men- George

George is loyal to Lennie

George is always telling Lennie what to do and how to behave.
He helps Lennie stay out of trouble and sorts things out if they have any problems like they did in Weed
Lennie relies on George for the most basic things such as getting a job and finding food.
Although, George hasn't always been good to Lennie--he once told him to jump into a river and he almost drowned.
When George killed Lennie it emphasises his loyalty for him because he knows it would be kinder to kill Lennie in the head--he didn't even quiver"--like Candy's dog--Plus, he is dreaming about the farm and owning rabbits. He knows that Curley will kill him in a painful way, in "his gut"

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George is reasonably smart--he knows how to get work
He often says he would be better off by himself--"if I was alone I could live so easy. I could go get a job an' work an' no trouble"--but George wouldn't be happy by himself because he feels responsible for Lennie.
Although, George says he would be better off alone--he would lose his companionship and lose sight of his dream that Lennie reminds him of everyday

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George enjoys the things that most people would--like looking at the stars in Chapter One--"Tonight I'm gonna lay right here and look up. I like it."--he also likes his freedom.
Steinbeck also persuades the reader to feel sympathy for George. For example, he calls Lennie a "poor *******" even when he's just about to tell him off

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When Candy tries to get involved with their dream--George is defensive--"You got nothing to do with us."
His dislike for Curley means he orders Lennie to fight back against him--even though this could get him into a lot of trouble
He is defensive of everything--when Slim says it's unusual that George and Lennie travel together he snaps at him
He's often aggressive towards Lennie when he is frustrated with something

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George realises that Curley's a character to avoid--George hates Curley immediately because he's aggressive towards them, (especailly Lennie). He fears that he's "gonna tangle with that *******."
He doesn't like Curley's wife--"I've seen 'em poison before". He warns Lennie to stay away from her as he senses that she'll cause them trouble
He quickly trusts Slim and tells him about what happened in Weed--"You wouldn' tell?...No, 'course you wouldn'."

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He isn't in control of his own life. He also can't control Lennie and his behaviour
George often recites the dream to Lennie, to make him happy but he does believe he can do it as well sometimes--"I bet we could swing her" and he gets "entranced" with his picture of the farm
At the end of the novel George is free of Lennie and he could "live so easy"--but Lennie's death isn't a happy ending for George--he'll be lonely without his friend.

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