Reflection on George, with bits of Lennie!

George: As portrayed in
the film 

So, some may ask; what is Georges role/function in the text. How is Georges character portrayed? Good, bad, powerful, weak. What do we know about his background history? Lets get started!!

First mentioning

"Both were dressed in denim trousers and in denim coats with brass buttons. Both wore black, shapeless hats and both carried tight blanket rolls slung over their shoulders." - Continuing onto Georges first description; "The first man" I think this is a very unusual way to bring a character into a book, especially after describing him/or rather them, and not mentioning his name. Almost as if Georges identity is unknown. Furthermore - "" The first man was 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 bony nose." - Continuing - "Behind him walked his opposite"... And then the description about Lennie comes fourth.

Not revealing!

Even after the dominant features of George are described, and the same with Lennie, the two characters are still not fully known to the reader, and although they may have a visual image of the character, George, he is still quite not known without a name. The way in which George is described, I automatically switched and thought he was some sort of worker, partly because of the descriptions; "Strong hands", and "dark of face" although this could mean he is either tanned or not washed in a while so his face is covered in dirt. (Presumably from working). I think that without a name being introduced, he is almost like a silhouette, not revealing his true identity, even throughout the book, his character is pretty un-precise and unclear.

I find it interesting of how Lennie introduces Georges name into the book and George the same with Lennie, introducing each other. The first impression between George in comparison to Lennie, He is a lot more of a civilized character: an example of this is; "George knelt beside the pool and drank from his hand with quick scoops" whereas Lennie; "Lennie dipped his whole head under under, hat and all, and then he sat up on the bank and his hat dripped down on his blue coat and ran down his back".

Although George is portrayed to the reader with extra emphasis almost, repeated twice, "small", (and also it is quite ironic that Lennies surname is small when he is quite the opposite of that)! Georges height doesn't quite fit his character and same with Lennie; Lennie is described as quite the opposite of George; "... a huge man, shapeless of face, with large, pale eyes, with wide, sloping shoulders; and he walked heavily, dragging his feet a little, the way a bear drags his paws". Lennie is described as a bear, which could describe his act of nature to be animal like, although when he first speaks, his character is let down by his 'simple mindedness', "Look George. Look what I done".
                                                                    





Relating back to George however, later on in the novel between the fight with Lennie and Curley (the boss' son), His character is portrayed very differently, and almost changes. Almost like in a bully gang and he is the bystander, the watcher, the one who shouts 'Fight, Fight, Fight'! Goading and jeering, however instead, George shouts "Get him Lennie" But then shortly after "stop it Lennie": These two quotes from George almost contract  and are contrast with each other; within a way. I also think that George gives Lennie some form of independence for Lennie to make his own actions and decisions instead of looking to George. George is the wooden stick that Lennie leans on for support whenever he needs something to say or whenever he gets stuck or unsure; he knows that George will be there and support but in this certain instance, George isn't there. George gave Lennie the wrong moment to make his own decision because he panics and doesn't realize his own strength. It is also at this moment in time when the other characters in the room, Slim, Carlson, Candy, and even George; (Definitely Curley) Find out of what Lennie is capable of doing and how strong he really is. Like George describes him; "Oh he ain't smart" and directly to his face "You crazy bastard". Lennie seems totally unaffected by this, almost as if he knows himself.

The reader seems to know more about of how George knows more about Lennies past than his himself. (If that makes any sense). With Lennies Aunt Clara, the reader knows that George says in the novel, that he will take care of Lennie and won't let him go off by himself. I like to think of it like this 'Aunt Clara' left Lennie in a 'Will like state' as if Lennie is an object, in a way and is owned or has to be owned; in this case his owner is George. Maybe George is the only one who would be, Caring, kind, has a soft spot, to care for this particular character. Also the fact that Lennie is compared to bear in several references; ".. and he walked heavily, dragging his feet a little, the way a bear drags his paws..." And later on described; "...Lennie dabbled his big paw in the water..." these suggest that Lennie is bear like, clumsy, perhaps can turn wild and they are totally unaware of their strength. Likewise; animals are owned by humans, and just another suggestion that Lennie is owned and maybe not tamed, as of what occurred between Lennie and Curley, where Curley was; attacked by an animal, You could almost say? 

If then comparing Lennies inside and true personal nature, the clue is a little in the title; 'Of Mice and Men'. I think, just by quick glace judgement, Lennie is definitely bear like, wild when angry. However his personal inside nature is like the Mouse. Bang on the cover, Lennies nature is in the title, and when flicking the pages if you get the wrong side of his character, Lennie can Snap, just like the book can Snap shut!

                                           

Crooks background

When Crooks and Lennie first meet and talk, he is introduced in a very unique way, it is only then when the reader (s) fully understand his background. Believe it or not, Crooks actually came from a wealthy family; so he is almost at par with the boss; or at least the bosses son Curley. In fact, Crooks is the black equivalent of Curley, but only with less arrogance and war like nature. Crooks wasn't a slave, but the reader can almost tell of how Crooks; said his 'old man' didn't like him playing with the white children because his parents themselves were slaves? He wasn't equal. 

Maybe the fact that Crooks is the only black man working at the ranch, this is the primary reason for keeping to himself. But apart from his skin colour, he is mentally isolated from the others. Although his room also has a sense of pride and personal touches; along with work tools. I think that Crooks is almost kept in the conditions of an animal, not only because of his skin colour but that his 'room' is right next door to the stable. Even more, his bed is made of straw like what animals lie on. 

The Crucial view which fits in with Crooks possessions, as described in the book;

Crooks, the Negro stable buck, had his bunk in the harness room; a little shed that leaned off the wall of the barn. On one side of the little room there was a square four-paned window, and on the other, a narrow plank door leading into the barn. Crooks' bunk was a long box filled with straw, on which his blankets were flung. On the wall by the window there were pegs on which hung broken harness in process of being mended; strips of new leather; and under the window itself a little bench for leather-working tools, curved knives and needles and balls of linen thread, and a small hand riveter. On pegs were also pieces of harness, a split collar with the horsehair stuffing sticking out, a broken hame, and a trace chain with its leather covering split.

Crooks had his apple box over his bunk, and in it a range of medicine bottles, both for himself and for the horses. There were cans of saddle soap and a drippy can of tar with its paint brush sticking over the edge. And scattered about the floor were a number of personal possessions; for, being alone, Crooks could leave his things about, and being a stable buck and a cripple, he was more permanent than the other men, and he had accumulated more possessions than he could carry on his back.Crooks possessed several pairs of shoes, a pair of rubber boots, a big alarm clock and a single-barreled shotgun. And he had books, too; a tattered dictionary and a mauled copy of the California civil code for 1905. There were battered magazines and a few dirty books on a special shelf over his bunk. A pair of large gold-rimmed spectacles hung from a nail on the wall above his bed. This room was swept and fairly neat, for Crooks was a proud, aloof man. 
                                                                                                                   

Focusing more on the 'Civil Code', almost versus mistreatment. This gives a sense of being powerless purely because he is black. Although the 'Civil code' that Crooks owns is out of date, he still reads it, the reader guesses so that he doesn't get into trouble and he doesn't make any 'mistakes'.

When Lennie describes the place that George dreams of, Lennie doesn't realize but Crooks actually lived his and Candy and Georges dream! Until at least for a little while.... When Crooks describes where and what it was like, he says 'White chickens', I feel this is very idealistic that the Black people were owning the whites instead of the other way around. This is a very ironic quote.

Lynchings - WARNING HORRIFIC IMAGES TOWARDS THE END

One of Billy Holidays songs called 'Strange Fruit' really portrays how the black people were treated all throughout slavery and most shockingly, the mistreatment still occurred afterwards too. Billy Holiday sings her song, not in a polished way, and it makes me wonder why the song is called 'Strange Fruit'? This is most probably because the black race at that time could have been considered as 'strange' in the white peoples eye. In which comes the term 'Strange fruit'.

This isn't a happy song, it is about the murdering of the black people, most importantly innocent black people. They were tortured, murdered and worst hung from trees almost as a warning to other black people to not make the same mistake. These mistakes weren't even mistakes, for example a black man could have been murdered for just looking at a white woman. Black people were victims of a 'kangaroo court'.

In 1880, the American Civil War abolition of slavery finally came through, the reason why America kept the slavery and slave trade in 'business' is simply because of the money, safe labor and for the economy to feel out of the depression, that 'business' is back and other people can do their jobs for them.

Known as the 'kkk' or Ku Klux Klan; a cult clan specializing in lynching, and founded as a racist group. Worst of all the members at night were the pillars of the community. These were everyday shop owners, men of the law, priests, policemen and everyday people who went around dragging the innocent black people out of their beds and homes, in which they 'lynched' or better known as tortured and murdered. 

The 'kkk' Otherwise known as the 'Ku Klux Klan'

Another term used to describe this is known as 'White supremacists'. This term is used when the belief is that white people are better - i.e. more superior, powerful and in charge of every move and action that others may take. Another term used is known as 'segregation', which started in the 1880's and ended in the 1960's; so nearly 100 years for the black and white people living the same lives but very differently. 
Such as the instances in these pictures below:




From these images above, especially the top left; we can see that the black peoples station for drinking is a lot less 'nicer' whereas the white peoples isn't a tap but is more of a 'superior' version. Maybe the word 'superior' isn't the correct word, but in this instance we can clearly see that inequality is present and unfortunately that resulted in the black people receiving on the 'unequal line'. This became known as 'The Jim Crow' - involving in separate buses, separate drinking stations, partly because of the white people of that time; I believe were afraid of difference.

So why tell you this?

I think it is good to relate this information of what really happened, not that long ago, and to compare these instances of what the character in 'Of Mice and Men', Crooks tells us ( us as the reader). Crooks, otherwise known as 'stable-buck' in the novel, is discriminated partly because the colour of his skin. The other workers on the Ranch just seem to judge him by appearance, and the fact that he isn't allowed in the 'bunk house' because of the colour of his skin, totally wrong; in my personal opinion. And the other characters seem to abuse that power especially when Candy tells George and Lennie about the fight. 

Although Candy and Crooks have worked on the ranch for about the same time period, the two characters only really meet when Candy walks into Crooks room for the first time. Lennie seems to be totally accepting of the 'stable-buck's skin colour and talks to him easily. It is Lennie which brings these two long working characters together to finally meet properly.

"Stable-buck" otherwise known as Crooks
In accordance to the film
'Of Mice and Me

I know the images below are graphic but I think it is important from a historical aspect to really see what it was like.

             



I think the worst and most horrific thing is that these occurrences are still happening to this day

The loss of a hand.... (clips from the movie, may contain SPOILERS)

 WARNING:   SPOILERS.......  Candy from the film, 'Of Mice and Men'

Each characters role in the fight against Curley

Slim - Almost sticks up for himself in an act of wanting to fight; this can come across as defensive, "Kick you head in" however before the fight broke out, Slim could have fought Curley at the start but chose not to; maybe he thought that it wasn't his fight all along.

Carlson -  Wants to fight and stop Curley from hurting Lennie, to almost prove himself in a way, with proof that he fought the Boss' son.

Candy - Joins in like a sheep, "Vaseline glove", although Candy is not looking for a fight but does it only to provoke Curley. However the reader can tell that Candy does want a fight to occur, only not including him.

George -  Georges' role in the fight is very unusual, partly because the reader feels that George is the stick for Lennie to lean on. He doesn't stop Curley from punching him but just yells; "Get him Lennie" and eventually "Stop it Lennie". These two contrasting quotes are very interesting, because the linking back to the 'girl in the red dress' is very sufficient that Lennie doesn't listen and he didn't let go of Curleys hand.

Lennie - Is almost made independent by George, as he lets him fight by himself. However the reader may think this is kind of cruel as Lennie has no idea of how to defend himself. Lennie is unsure of what to do and panics, as he also has no instructions to follow or look up to George.

'Of Mice and Men' the film
From left to right, George Curley and Lennie

Preventing Lennie from breaking Curleys hand

   

Candy from the film, 'Of Mice and Men'

Candy, Curley and Lennie: Character first impressions

First impressions of Candy are pretty obvious; as the reader can gauge his character is relatively old. Candy is also not too helpful, for example with his accident which occurred in his loss of a hand. Not disabled but then again not to fit for heavy duty work, like the lifting of barrels Lennie and George do in the fields.This injury almost holds the character of Candy back, and was only given for his loss of a limb a measly $200. Candy is also very kind but emotionally hit when Carlson persuades for his 'old life friend' to be killed; his dog; in which he has a very strong relationship with.

Lennie, to be honest comes across as; not retarded; but perhaps a little 'simple minded'. Lennies character is also quite childlike and clumsy. He doesn't realize his own strength and ability of his body weight. An example of this is; "Lennie dabbled his big paw in the water and wiggled his fingers". Again these a quite childish actions. 'Dabbled' compared to George, he is very uncivilized, and again, 'paw' suggests he is being compared to a bear, big and clumsy, unable to control his own strength and anger. And lastly the word 'wiggled' is a very child like action comparing to the size of Lennies character. He has a simple instinct but he isn't dumb, in other words, Lennie is emotionally manipulative, just like a toddler, and he doesn't listen; "Tell me like you done before". Later he quotes "look George. Look what I done". He is almost proud of a simple accomplishment and like a toddler is a great way of describing his character.       

Curley - very cocky and loves himself, this character seems to be always looking for a fight; on taller, bulky men; like George. Curley is the son of the boss and enjoys some physical violence. He is also married but however the reader is unsure whether their relationship is strong, as he is always looking for her and he on the other hand is always looking for him, as if stuck or lost in a relationship. "Curleys like a lot of little guys, he hates big guys". This also shows how he is trying to prove he is the boss' son and in charge of them too. Giving him something to 'shout about', I also feel his character is Antagonistic and war like.

Dorothea Lange

1. 
   

   
   

Dorothea Lange was born May 26, 1895, in New Jersey, United States and died October 11, 1965. She was very influential as an American documentary photographer and photojournalist. Dorothea is best known for her depression-era of work for the Farm Security Administration. 

The pictures that she captured were very different to a any other photographer at that time, partly because of the type of pictures she captured were so real and weren't modeling for the shots. Here are some for you to look at which in some instances is described in the novel 'Of Mice and Men'. 

Dorothea taking her pictures of the poverty
and Great Depression.

Supposed mother, looking in the distance totally unaware of her child.

This picture is very interesting because the child is obviously
hugging his mother for  comfort but again this mother is
totally unaware and isn't even looking at Dorothea Lange as she takes her photo.

This photo gives a sense of what the depression was really like, the children too young to
work so they are sitting in the shade on not even a proper chair.

This man seems to be troubled in some way, maybe just exhausted, but again he
takes no notice of his picture being taken. I personally believe he is praying for some comfort.

I feel that these pictures Dorothea Lange has captured have a feeling of loneliness, otherwise known as 'Soledad' in Spanish meaning loneliness which is used in Of Mice and Men.

The most 'lethal' quote

I feel very touched by this particular quote in the novel 'Of Mice and Men', partly because it is so straight to the point and said so bluntly with no answer.

 They let the nigger come in that night. Little skinner name of Smitty took after the nigger. Done pretty good, too. The guys wouldn't let him use his feet, so the nigger got him. If he coulda used his feet, Smitty says he woulda killed the nigger. The guys said on account of the nigger's got a crooked back, Smitty can't use his feet." He paused in relish of the memory. 

This quote is actually quite sick to read, kind of letting the reader know that the characters in the novel knew what they were doing. They let the 'nigger' in on purpose knowing that some form of entertainment would come good out of it.

Because of the 'nigger' has a form of deformity with a crook in his back, the other character, known as 'Smitty' wasn't allowed to use his feet and when this Smitty character says; 'he woulda killed the nigga', the reader then clicks on that this fight wasn't done for fun. The fight was meant for someone to be physically 'killed'. I feel this is a distressing image and therefore the most lethal quote... so far.

Who's the boss?

When George and Lennie first arrive at the Ranch, I think it is important that the novel mentions; "Behind him came George, and behind George, Lennie". Lennie is almost cast aside but then again almost trusted by George to not wander off or say anything. George is almost trusting Lennie, to a
certain extent.

Depending on which book you are reading, in this instance, the one on the right. On page 33, the quotation speech; "And when it rains in the winter, we'll just say to hell with going to work". - George comes across as a bit obstinate and very abrupt, having no self discipline. Which makes the reader question; would they do this to new boss?

Further on, located on page 39, "The boss was expectin' you last night." "He was sore as hell". In this quotation, we get a quick glimpse of what being a boss might look like, for example; getting stressed hen no workers turn up. Which is exactly what happened in this instance with George and Lennie. Linking to George again making all the decisions without Lennie, compared to as 'dumb' by George, not having a say.

Roamin', wantrin' Worker.....

When my English teacher told us that the next novel we were going to study was "Of Mice and Men", I just thought; "Oh how boring"! But when we started, I was overwhelmed how hooked I was just by reading the first page! I wanted to read more! I especially love the way of how Lennie and George are described like complete opposites. And with Lennie being so reliant on George, getting all excited about 'The Rabbits'! 

I have found a song on youtube and feel that it is perfect in describing how the Great Depression forced people out of their homes and traveled from ranch to ranch. Just by listening to the lyrics and words, you are taken into their shoes and feel what they feel. The song is by Billy Brag but was originally sung by a man named Woody Guthrie, and the song is called; 'Ain't got no home in this World anymore'.   

In the song, Billy Bragg sings, 'Now the rich man took my home', I feel personally that he is making personal connection, as he further sings, 'I ain't got no home in this World anymore'

Woody Guthrie

Woody Guthrie - Original version

Words you may come across in the novel "Of Mice and Men"

- Many words in the novel "Of Mice and Men" are not everyday words that an everyday person would use. So I came up with a list of words used throughout the novel with their meanings.

In the novel                                              The meaning 

Set                                                             sit
Bindle                                                        bedding roll
Brush                                                       openland
Graybacks                                                 lice/fleas
Jack                                                            money
Stake                                                          'lump sum'
Jus/jes                                                         just
Gammered                                                  an animals cry
Ya                                                                you
Blowin'                                     wasting your money irresponsibility
Purty                                                           pretty
Dunno                                                         don't know
'Licks him'                                                  punches him
Stablebuck                                                  stableboy

Throughout the book, there are lots of slang words used, and some are pretty hard to tell what the meaning is. So now you know some and if you have anymore please share.