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Lennie and George, migratory workers in the California fields,
cherish the dream of having a little farm of their own where as
Lennie's refrain has it, they can 'Live of the fatta o' the land.'
George yearns for his own place where he could bring in his own
crops instead of working for another. A place where he could get
what comes up from the ground for himself. He wants the full
reward of his own labor. He seeks independence, and to leave his
dependent life completely. These two men seek a status in society,
they feel as though they need to belong, and their dream of having a
farm gives them that feeling that someday their satisfaction will
come. Unfortunately our dreams don't always coincide with reality.
George and Lennie are two incongruent characters, where one is
small, alert, and clever; the other huge, and powerful, however,
bears the mind of a child.
Lennie James
Lennie James
Lennie JamesThey compliment eachother in many
ways, but deep within they have an inseparable relationship.
'Sometimes you just get used to a guy.' The two have grown
together, and they live a part of eachother. George, being the leader
of the two, has the responsibility of caring for Lennie, who is much
like a child in his ways, however, far more dangerous than his inner
character reflects. George has to keep a watchful eye over Lennie,
for without constant supervision, Lennie would inadvertently kill
anything he touches.
George has towards Lennie the tenderness and protective instinct
which most have towards the helpless, the disadvantaged, and the
dependent. George has encountered and embraced a responsibility,
a social responsibility, and a humanitarian responsibility. It is to
take care of, protect, save from hurt, the dim-witted, loyal, and
devoted Lennie.
George constantly repeats how Lennie is a...