Of Mice and Men Character Quotes

Characters
George Milton
A migrant worker who travels from farm to farm with his mentally impaired friend Lennie during the Depression. The two dream of earning enough money to buy a small farm where Lennie can tend rabbits. By virtue of his mental superiority, George assumes a dominant role with Lennie, acting as a parent. Because Lennie tends to involve George in difficult predicaments, George must be responsible, level-headed and ready to deal with any tragedy that may arise. Despite the many problems that Lennie causes George, he stays with his simple-minded friend as a buffet against loneliness and he retains a palpable hope that the two will eventually leave the aimless life of a migrant worker to live a more fulfilling existence.

Key Quotes

“Guys like us that work on ranches are the loneliest guys in the world. They got no family. They don't belong no place. They come to a ranch an' work up a stake and then they go inta town and blow their stake, and the first thing you know they're poundin' their tail on some other ranch. They ain't got nothing to look ahead to."  It's hard out there for a ranchhand. Steinbeck seems to be saying that the loneliness is even worse than the poverty: like Lennie and George, you can bear a lot more if you have a friend.

“If I was alone I could live so easy”.
This quote shows how much of a hindrance Lennie is for George, he explains that without the burden of looking after Lennie, George could be living a simple easy life, earning money on ranches. It also shows George's anger at Lennie for always getting them both into trouble because of the way the Lennie is oblivious to the rules of society. This quote is evidence for Lennie being more of a responsibility for George rather than a friend.

"No, Lennie, I ain't mad. I never been mad, and I ain' now. That's a thing I want ya to know." 
His shooting Lennie is an act of kindness. George can offer Lennie a peaceful death, because there's really no other option....