The Hero

In every story, there is a protagonist, usually known as the “hero” or “good guy.”  The good guy usually displays certain characteristics, and is usually somewhat self-sacrificing. In John Steinbeck’s “Of Mice and Men” the strong, heroic, and caring protagonistic personality is displayed in the lead character, George Milton.  George remains responsible even though he would rather be free of the burden of taking care of Lennie so that he could live a more simplistic life.

            Despite George’s dreams of a life without Lennie, he is a very caring person.  George was considerate of Candy’s circumstances, and was willing to let Candy
”wash dishes” in the house that George and Lennie were going to buy, since they would “can [him] purty soon.”  George was very thoughtful to let Candy come live with them.  He knew things would probably be easier without Lennie and Candy, but his compassion makes him think of what’s best for them as a whole.  George showed compassion not only for Candy, but for Lennie as well, since he took him along from job to job, even though Lennie was “a lot of trouble.”  Lennie was a burden and a nuisance, and George’s life would have been so much simpler without Lennie.  George put aside his own wants because of his extreme kind and caring personality.

            George is not only kind, but he is heroic.  In the end of the book, George “pulled the trigger” and killed Lennie to save him from Curley’s “fury.”  Killing his closest friend must have been hard for George, but he sacrificed his own wants for what was safest for Lennie.  George would be free of Lennie, but it was one of the hardest things he probably ever did.  That shows how George again puts others above what he wants. George not only displays heroism in the end of Lennie’s life but also when they “scrammed outta” Weed when Lennie got in trouble.  George got both of them out of trouble, even though it would have been easier to leave Lennie behind.  He is a great hero, even when it means endangering himself.

            Though beaten and broken, George remains strong through his hardships.  In the minutes before George killed Lennie, he filled Lennie’s head with thoughts about how they would “live on the fatta the lan’” and how Lennie would get to “tend the rabbits.”  George remained strong for Lennie as he told him things that would never come true for them.  Killing Lennie would probably complicate George’s life even more, and cause more grief and worry, but he gave up his own want for a simple life.  He was still a rock for Lennie in Lennie’s final minutes.  George shows strength before George’s death, when he smoothly pretends he has nothing to do with the “dead girl.”  George kept himself from loosing control while he calmly made his plan to kill Lennie.  George didn’t want to deal with things like this.  He took responsibility though, and did what he had to while remaining cool and collected.

            George Milton is the classic protagonist.  He is brave, smart, strong, caring, and heroic.  He sacrifices his own wants for others who need his help.  George’s actions teach us how sometimes putting others first is what is best for everybody.  George wanted a simple life with no problems, but he gave it all up for the people he cared about.