Character Quote Analysis for Of Mice and Men
George
• "God a’mighty, if I was alone I could live so easy."
Reflects George's internal conflict and the burden of responsibility he feels for Lennie.
It also hints at the theme of sacrifice and the cost of companionship.
• "We kind look after each other."
Highlights the rare bond between George and Lennie, contrasting the pervasive
loneliness of itinerant workers.
• "A smart little guy" (Said by Slim)
Emphasises George's intelligence and resourcefulness, earning him respect on the
ranch.
• "Get him" (Carlson fight scene)
Demonstrates George's assertive nature and capacity to lead others.
• "He’s a hell of a worker" (About Lennie)
Shows George's appreciation of Lennie's physical strength, which is one of their
assets despite Lennie's mental limitations.
• "Aw Lennie!" George put his hand on Lennie’s shoulder.
Conveys George's affection for Lennie and his role as a protective figure.
• "Small and quick, dark of face, with restless eyes and sharp, strong features."
Reflects George's quick-witted and alert personality.
• "You never had none, you crazy bastard. I got both of ‘em here. Think I’d let
you carry your own work card?"
Illustrates George's practical nature and his role as Lennie's caretaker.
• "You keep away from Curley, Lennie."
Reflects George's awareness of danger and his protective instinct towards Lennie.
• "If I was bright, if I was even a little bit smart, I’d have my own little place."
Reveals George's regret and self-awareness of the constraints of his life.
• "Guys like us, that work on the ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world…
They ain’t got nothing to look ahead to."
Captures the themes of loneliness and the unattainable American Dream.
• "We travel together," George said coldly.
Illustrates George's defensive attitude about his bond with Lennie, showing how
unusual such relationships are.
• "George looked sharply at him. 'What’d you take outa that pocket.'"
Demonstrates George's sharpness and constant vigilance over Lennie's actions.
• "Hell no. He just scared her. I’d be scared too, if he grabbed me. But he never
hurt her."
Highlights George's loyalty to Lennie and his understanding of Lennie's nature.
Lennie
• "A huge man."
Establishes Lennie's physical size and strength, contrasting his childlike mental state.
• "Bear drags his paws."
Suggests Lennie's animalistic qualities and foreshadows how his physicality can lead
to harm.
• "Ain’t you gonna give me hell, George?"
Highlights Lennie's dependency on George and his need for their familiar dynamic.
• "You’ve broke it pettin’ it."
Demonstrates Lennie's lack of control over his strength and foreshadows tragic
events.
, • "Lennie dabbled his big paw in the water."
The use of "paw" dehumanises Lennie, linking him to nature and instinct rather than
intellect.
• "I don’t want no fights."
Reveals Lennie's peaceful intentions, despite his capacity for violence.
• "I never meant no harm, George. Honest I never."
Emphasises Lennie's innocence and inability to understand the consequences of his
actions.
• "About the rabbits."
Symbolises Lennie's dream and childlike fixation on simple pleasures, representing
hope.
• "George, how long’s it gonna be till we get that little piece an’ live on the fatta
the lan’ – an’ rabbits?"
Highlights Lennie's fixation on the dream, representing his and George's pursuit of the
American Dream.
• "I didn’t wanna," Lennie cried. "I didn’t wanta hurt him."
Reinforces Lennie's lack of intent to harm, aligning him with themes of innocence and
tragedy.
• "George wun’t go away and leave me. I know George wun’t do that."
Shows Lennie's deep trust in George and fear of abandonment.
Slim
• "The prince of the ranch."
Establishes Slim's status as a natural leader, admired and respected by all.
• "All talk stopped when he spoke."
Emphasises Slim's authority and charisma, elevating him above the other ranch
workers.
• "Godlike."
Portrays Slim as a figure of wisdom and fairness, almost divine in his judgment.
• "Slim’s opinions were law."
Highlights Slim's moral authority and influence on the ranch.
• "I can tell a mean guy from a mile off."
Reflects Slim's perceptiveness and ability to judge character accurately.
• "When he had finished combing his hair he moved into the room, and he moved
with a majesty only achieved by royalty."
Reinforces Slim's grace and dignity, setting him apart from the others.
• "She slang her pups last night… nine of ‘em. I drowned four of ‘em right off."
Reflects Slim's pragmatism and understanding of the harsh realities of life.
• "Slim sighed, 'Well I guess we got to get him.'"
Highlights Slim's reluctant acceptance of the inevitable, showing his sensitivity
despite harsh realities.
• "Maybe ever’body in the whole damn world is scared of each other."
Reflects on the pervasive loneliness and mistrust in society, linking to the novella's
broader themes.
Curley
• "He’s alla time picking scraps with big guys." (Said by Candy)
Highlights Curley's aggressive and insecure nature, seeking to compensate for his
small stature.
• "Curley’s pants is just crawlin’ with ants." (Said by Whit)
George
• "God a’mighty, if I was alone I could live so easy."
Reflects George's internal conflict and the burden of responsibility he feels for Lennie.
It also hints at the theme of sacrifice and the cost of companionship.
• "We kind look after each other."
Highlights the rare bond between George and Lennie, contrasting the pervasive
loneliness of itinerant workers.
• "A smart little guy" (Said by Slim)
Emphasises George's intelligence and resourcefulness, earning him respect on the
ranch.
• "Get him" (Carlson fight scene)
Demonstrates George's assertive nature and capacity to lead others.
• "He’s a hell of a worker" (About Lennie)
Shows George's appreciation of Lennie's physical strength, which is one of their
assets despite Lennie's mental limitations.
• "Aw Lennie!" George put his hand on Lennie’s shoulder.
Conveys George's affection for Lennie and his role as a protective figure.
• "Small and quick, dark of face, with restless eyes and sharp, strong features."
Reflects George's quick-witted and alert personality.
• "You never had none, you crazy bastard. I got both of ‘em here. Think I’d let
you carry your own work card?"
Illustrates George's practical nature and his role as Lennie's caretaker.
• "You keep away from Curley, Lennie."
Reflects George's awareness of danger and his protective instinct towards Lennie.
• "If I was bright, if I was even a little bit smart, I’d have my own little place."
Reveals George's regret and self-awareness of the constraints of his life.
• "Guys like us, that work on the ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world…
They ain’t got nothing to look ahead to."
Captures the themes of loneliness and the unattainable American Dream.
• "We travel together," George said coldly.
Illustrates George's defensive attitude about his bond with Lennie, showing how
unusual such relationships are.
• "George looked sharply at him. 'What’d you take outa that pocket.'"
Demonstrates George's sharpness and constant vigilance over Lennie's actions.
• "Hell no. He just scared her. I’d be scared too, if he grabbed me. But he never
hurt her."
Highlights George's loyalty to Lennie and his understanding of Lennie's nature.
Lennie
• "A huge man."
Establishes Lennie's physical size and strength, contrasting his childlike mental state.
• "Bear drags his paws."
Suggests Lennie's animalistic qualities and foreshadows how his physicality can lead
to harm.
• "Ain’t you gonna give me hell, George?"
Highlights Lennie's dependency on George and his need for their familiar dynamic.
• "You’ve broke it pettin’ it."
Demonstrates Lennie's lack of control over his strength and foreshadows tragic
events.
, • "Lennie dabbled his big paw in the water."
The use of "paw" dehumanises Lennie, linking him to nature and instinct rather than
intellect.
• "I don’t want no fights."
Reveals Lennie's peaceful intentions, despite his capacity for violence.
• "I never meant no harm, George. Honest I never."
Emphasises Lennie's innocence and inability to understand the consequences of his
actions.
• "About the rabbits."
Symbolises Lennie's dream and childlike fixation on simple pleasures, representing
hope.
• "George, how long’s it gonna be till we get that little piece an’ live on the fatta
the lan’ – an’ rabbits?"
Highlights Lennie's fixation on the dream, representing his and George's pursuit of the
American Dream.
• "I didn’t wanna," Lennie cried. "I didn’t wanta hurt him."
Reinforces Lennie's lack of intent to harm, aligning him with themes of innocence and
tragedy.
• "George wun’t go away and leave me. I know George wun’t do that."
Shows Lennie's deep trust in George and fear of abandonment.
Slim
• "The prince of the ranch."
Establishes Slim's status as a natural leader, admired and respected by all.
• "All talk stopped when he spoke."
Emphasises Slim's authority and charisma, elevating him above the other ranch
workers.
• "Godlike."
Portrays Slim as a figure of wisdom and fairness, almost divine in his judgment.
• "Slim’s opinions were law."
Highlights Slim's moral authority and influence on the ranch.
• "I can tell a mean guy from a mile off."
Reflects Slim's perceptiveness and ability to judge character accurately.
• "When he had finished combing his hair he moved into the room, and he moved
with a majesty only achieved by royalty."
Reinforces Slim's grace and dignity, setting him apart from the others.
• "She slang her pups last night… nine of ‘em. I drowned four of ‘em right off."
Reflects Slim's pragmatism and understanding of the harsh realities of life.
• "Slim sighed, 'Well I guess we got to get him.'"
Highlights Slim's reluctant acceptance of the inevitable, showing his sensitivity
despite harsh realities.
• "Maybe ever’body in the whole damn world is scared of each other."
Reflects on the pervasive loneliness and mistrust in society, linking to the novella's
broader themes.
Curley
• "He’s alla time picking scraps with big guys." (Said by Candy)
Highlights Curley's aggressive and insecure nature, seeking to compensate for his
small stature.
• "Curley’s pants is just crawlin’ with ants." (Said by Whit)
