Characterization for Part 1 of Of Mice and Men

List some words that Steinbeck uses to describe Lennie. List some words that Steinbeck uses to describe George. How do these descriptions compare and/or contrast to one another?

Lennie is described as 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. His arms did not swing a his sides but hung loosely. George is described as small and quick, dark of face, with restless eyes, and sharp, strong features. Every part of him was defined: small strong hands, slender arms, thin and bony nose. The two descriptions are so different it even says "Behind him walks he opposite".

Lennie's description gives the reader the impression of a huge, strong, dumb man. It makes you think he is extremely brawny but lacks brains. George's description makes you think of a cunning little man who is not very strong but gets out of tough situations with his braininess. You can tell just by the way and position they are walking in that George is the leader and although he may be small his presence isn't. They way Lennie slouches and drags his feet makes you think of a wandering child. And once they start speaking you see George as the annoyed parent.

George's first impression is a little misleading because he seems like a cunning person who can get away with anything and is planning on cheating Lennie or a man who is forcing Lennie to do his bidding by tricking him. This is completely wrong because George turns out to be very kind and compassionate. He could have abandoned Lennie a while ago. Lennie is also a little misleading because to me, at first, I thought he might be a thug. As soon as he started talking though, it was clearly not true.

This book goes deeper than your average book. Most books would have a couple of workers be side characters or villains. Most people, at least I, have never thought of workers as the book has you think. Most children's books have workers thinking of just money or nothing else. They don't do deep into a person you don't think of much and have them be as three dimensional as they are in this book. In just this first part, you can see George's kindness, Lennie's innocence, and both of their joy in small things.