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GEORGE - Coggle Diagram
GEORGE
UNEQUAL FRIENDSHIP
“we got somebody to talk to, that gives a damn about us” G&L are the anomaly in the book - they have the friendship of each other. However their relationship is complex and unequal.
JS had worked on a ranch in his youth and would have been well aware of the loneliness and hardship of the ranch' life. However in G&L he celebrates the brotherly bonds that are also possible in this sort of lif
Power and authority is a key theme that runs throughout and the most positive example of power in a relationship can be seen in that of George and Lennie's friendship. George whilst looking after Lennie does at times abuse his power for his friend, although as the novel progresses their relationship does mature, and become more balanced
At the start he shows off his power over Lennie, making him go swimming when he can’t... “ used to play jokes on ‘im ‘cause he was to dumb to take care of ‘imself”
At the end he demonstrates a more positive facet of his power over his friend showing compassion when he shoots him, demonstrates responsibility and moral growth - taking responsibility to make sure he dies kindly as possible. Slim spots that George had to take responsibility “You hadda, George. I swear you hadda”
The GD has resulted in the collapse of farming. Limited work opportunities meant that itinerant workers had to travel far to find employment, and often move around frequently. Had no place they could call home, no roots, no sense of belonging.
MISOGYNY
Another key relationship for George is that of CW. JS explores her character through the eyes and reactions of men around her - with George an important driver of this.
VICTIMISED George calls her “a rattrap” “ tart” “jailbait” –
and warns Lennie to keep away from her. Misogynistic attitude, sexist society
TROUBLE MAKERS Steinbeck depicts women as trouble makers, who drive men mad – They have no place on a ranch - all about brotherly bonds. As he explores her character through the eyes and reactions of men (george) around, it is clear that her isolation is complete. She is a dangerous temptation owned by their boss, not a human being to connect with.
CONTEXT ranch life in late 1920's very male dominated, few women would have featured as hard and difficult, no power, lonely, isolated men travelling from place to place with no roots, no settling
CONCLUSION
However we do learn that George has desires that are separate from his friend - free of the responsibility of a damaged friend, and able to enjoy the easy pleasures of a regular itinerent worker's life - cards and women "go into town and get whatever I want"
However even this friendship does not survive. With Lennie's death the dream is gone and George becomes like any other itinerant work - alone and without hope
Whilst Lennie dominates many aspects of George's life from from his early days as itinerent work through to his present life at Soledad to his hopes and dreams for the future
OPENING PARA
One of the main characters that he turns to for this is that of George - an itinerent worker, typical of many farm workers at that time, apart from one core difference - his friendship with Lennie
through his experiences and dreams JS is able to explore not just the key theme of friendship and loneliness but also the topics of the American Dream, power and mysogyny
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DREAMS
One of the key ways in which their friendship is explored is through their shared dream of owning "a little house with pigs... " - to effectively be in charge of their own destiny and to have roots. Their dream gives them hope and something to work towards in a desolate, bleak situation. Over the course of the novel, the dream of owning some land, encompasses many more than just G&L - both Crooks and Candy want to be part of, with its hope offering a cure for the isolation and loneliness of the men
"We're gonna have a little house and a couple of acres" L& G are used by Steinbeck as the main expression of dreams and plans in the novel - central to the novel - conveys frustrations of 1000's - can succeed through hard work
At time when future so hard G&L dream would have been typical of many - to have a small holding, work for self and settle down. This would have been key expression of the American Dream to be your own boss and make own fortune
Farming been badly hit by Great Depression - farmers had borrowed money, had debts, over farmed. Drought in the 1930's plus over farming led to the "Dust Bowl"
itinerant workers, represent many typical farmers. Drift from farm to farm looking for work