Of Mice And Men George Milton Character Analysis

George Milton is a complex man who struggles with striking a balance between love and mercy for his friend and the justice that demands to be served. He is a man who used to be different from other migrant workers. However, he takes action that he deems as morally necessary that destroys him.

George is described on page two of the novella as, “...small and quick, dark of face, with restless eyes and sharp, strong features. Every part of him was defined: small, strong hands, slender arms, a thin and bony nose.” Lennie and George are physical opposites. This establishes the vast differences between the two migrant workers early on.

Although the two men are very different, they have are both very much devoted to each other. These first words show us that George cares about Lennie’s well-being, while also being frustrated by him. This sets the tone for their

friendship. George is Lennie’s committed protector who is often frustrated by Lennie’s inability to control his strength. This ends up being their ultimate downfall.
Another contribution to the tragedy that befalls them at the end of the novella is George’s skewed sense of justice and mercy. Lennie doesn’t mean any harm, but he still causes it. George refuses to acknowledge this, or at least to take any preventative action. His sympathy for Lennie exposes others to harm. He wants Lennie to be happy, but the reality is that that’s not possible in the harsh world they live in.
Additionally, George recognizes the danger of solitude.

Therefore, George is special. He has someone to love and to be loved by, something other people simply don’t have. His possession of a friend is rare for someone of his lifestyle. He recognizes this. Without Lennie, though, he loses what differentiate him from every other lonely ranch hand. He becomes a lost soul. He no longer has anything to live for, or any hope that things will change. Loneliness is his new companion.

While George’s view on the destruction that loneliness has stays constant, other parts of his ethos evolve. George is capable of change. He confesses to Slim that he had previously taken advantage of Lennie’s innocent, trusting personality. A moral lesson was learned by George. He comes to the realization that taking advantage of the weak is wrong. Later in the novella, he acknowledges that the world does not accept that realization. George views the world as a cold, unloving place that enjoys preying on the weak. George, once an idealist, becomes a realist.

This new realist view is especially apparent after George has killed

Lennie.
In conclusion, George changes. He once was loved, and had someone to love. He cherished that fact. However, killing his friend, killing his dream, will eventually kill him. He finally realized that Lennie could not safely exist and shot him. He tragically became just another lost soul of the Depression.