THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GEORGE AND LENNIE AS SEEN IN THE FIRST CHAPTER.
George’s Relationship with Lennie
Behaviour
George leads the way, “even in the open, one stayed
behind the other.”
Relationship
George is the leader.
George reprimands Lennie for drinking at the pool,
“For God’s sakes, Lennie, don’t drink so much…You
gonna be sick like you was last night.”
George looks out for Lennie.
Looks after Lennie’s work card, “Think I’d let you carry your own
work card?”
Tells Lennie what to do if there’s trouble, “I want you to come right
here and hide in the brush until I come.”
George makes Lennie give him dead mouse.
George is in control of Lennie. Is the
dominant partner.
2nd mouse incident: “George’s hand remained imperiously out
stretched…snapped his fingers sharply.”
George drills Lennie into not saying anything at he
ranch. “Good boy, you say that over, two three times,
so you don’t forget.”
Is like a teacher or mentor to Lennie.
Tests Lennie to see if he’s learned his lesson. “What you gonna say if
the boss asks you questions?”
Has carried beans for supper. “I got three cans of beans
in my bundle. You get a fire ready. I’ll give you a
match when you get the sticks together. The we’ll heat
the beans and have supper.”
Looks after Lennie like a mother. Treats
him like a child: gives him easy jobs; won’t
let him carry matches; thinks about meals for
him.
Knows Lennie wouldn’t survive without him, “How’d you eat? You
ain’t got sense enough to find nothing to eat.” “Jesus Christ,
somebody’d shoot you for a coyote, if you was left by yourself.”
George explodes in anger and frustration at being
shackled to Lennie. “If I was alone I could live so
easy.”
Sometimes resents the demands the
relationship imposes on him.
“George put his hand on Lennie’s shoulder.” Is fond of
Lennie.
Tells Lennie the story of their shared dream – a farm of
their own.
Other Examples
Needs his companionship because he’s a
frustrated family man. Need others to love
and rely on him.
Feels ashamed of his outburst
Is alarmed at the idea that Lennie might leave him.
Tries to make up to Lennie
Again like a parent to Lennie. Uses dream
farm as a disciplinary measure and as a
comfort blanket. Thinks their relationship a
long term thing – the future includes Lennie.
“I got you to look after me. And you got me to look after you.” There
is a reciprocal bond between them. George needs Lennie emotionally
and Lennie needs George emotionally and for his survival.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GEORGE AND LENNIE AS SEEN IN THE FIRST CHAPTER.
Lennie’s Relationship with George.
Behaviour
Lennie always walks behind George.
Relationship
Lennie is happy for George to be the leader.
Other Examples
Copies George. “Lennie, who had been watching,
imitated George exactly…He pulled his hat down a
little more over his eyes, the way George’s hat was.”
Lennie has little strength of personality of his own and
is very insecure. He wants to be like George. He
idolises him.
“Lennie imitated him, raising his head to see whether
he were doing right.”
Encourages George to drink the water. “Tha’s good.
You drink some, George. You take a long drink.”
Is constantly trying to please George. Knows George is
necessary to him. That he couldn’t survive without
him. Also he loves him and wants the best for him.
Always speaks to George “timidly.” “softly,” “gently.”
Never insults, shouts at, loses his temper with George.
Wants to protect George, “Nobody gonna talk no hurt
to George.” (When Crooks suggests George could get
hurt in Soledad.)
Dabbles hand in pool to make water rings. “Look,
George! Look what I done!”
Takes on a child-like role – wants George’s attention
and approval.
Looks to George to provide food, goodies (ketchup,
rabbits). Likes George to tell the story of their dream
farm – even though he knows it word for word. Like a
child demanding a bed-time story.
Obeys George even when he doesn’t want to do as
George says. “Lennie’s closed hand slowly obeyed.”
Accepts George is the dominant partner and
disciplinarian. Is a little afraid of him, “Lennie crawled
slowly and cautiously…until he was close to George.”
2nd mouse incident: “George snapped his fingers
sharply and at the sound, Lennie laid the mouse in his
hand.”
Pretend threatens to go away and live in the mountains.
“’Cause I can just as well go away and live in a cave.”
Recognises that George is very fond of him and uses
this to manipulate George. He plays on George’s
affection for him to get what he wants (puppy, rabbits.)