Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
George - Coggle Diagram
George
context
Role of an itinerant worker during the great depression after wall street crash in 1929. - Steinbeck has his own experience. living conditions were awful and the workers were lucky to get a low wage and basic
-
Steinbeck writes from experience chose the position of an itinerant worker during university – comes from a position of knowledge.
High unemployment rates due to the great depression which occurred in the 1930s after the wall street crash in 1929
-
Discrimination as a result of inequality in economy – divide between the rich and the poor, majority were poor. Results in a lack of autonomy and power over own life
Occurrence during the dust bowl – natural disaster leading to severe droughts. Over farming – dry land was hard for agriculture to grow. Forced people to leave and find opportunities elsewhere, lead to role of an itinerant worker.
Burns poem ‘ to a mouse’ influenced sense that plans and schemes go awry, represents harsh reality of being the vulnerable.
travels with Lennie - uncommon to have a companion as an itinerant migrant (antithesis of typical conventions of an itinerant worker)
-
the care that George demonstrates for Lennie highlights that even in the impoverished, brutal culture of the great depression, there is hope for humanity
-
-
can be aggressive
often aggressive towards Lennie when frustrated (viscous cycle forshadows, often nasty and then sorrowful)
His dislike of Curley means he orders Lennie to fight back against him, despite the trouble it could get him into
starts off defensive when talking to Slim, snapping at him when Slim mentions that George and Lennie's situation is unusual
When Candy tries to get involved in the dream, George is immediately defensive
quotes
aggression towards Lennie: ''if I was alone I could live so easy''
'his voice rose nearly to a shout. You crazy son-of-a-bitch'
'you do bad things and I gotta get you out'
'his anger left him suddenly' , 'looked ashamedly at the flames' - cycle (occurs throughout novel'
encourages Lennie to defend himself against Curley - 'Get 'im Lennie' , 'George yelled again, 'I said get him.'
defensive nature when Candy listens to their plan - ''George was on guard immediately', 'they both jumped' , 'George watched him suspiciously'
'If I was a relative of yours I'd shoot myself' , 'you crazy bastard'
sensitive, protective over relationship with Lennie when talikng to Slim '
-
realistic character
enjoys the normally things, such as being free from work and demanding bosses, as seen by his happiness in Chapter 1
Steinbeck also persuades the reader to feel sympathy for George, as his makes it clear even when he is telling Lennie off, it is for Lennie's own good
he is the protagonist but is an ordinary man in an ordinary situation, making it easier for the reader to identify with him and understand why he does things
quotes
enjoys sense of freedom in ch1 - 'It's gonna be nice sleepin' here' , 'lookin' up, and the leaves'
'That's fine Lennie! Maybe you're gettin' better' - relaxed, no tension sense of freedom from work and busy life on a ranch
-
-
itinerant worker
-
George, like a lot of itinerant workers is lonely, and despite having Lennie, due to their type of relationship, he sometimes feels like he has no-one and is alone (shown by how he plays solitaire which is a one person game)