George Milton Character Profile

Of Mice and Men — Chapter 1 | Year 10 English

Name:

Date:

📖 Part 1: Close Reading — Key Extracts

Read the following extracts from Chapter 1 of Of Mice and Men carefully. You will use these as evidence throughout this worksheet.

Extract A — Steinbeck's description of George:

"The first man was small and quick, dark of face, with restless eyes and sharp, strong features. Every part of him was defined: small, strong hands, slender arms, a thin and bony nose."

Extract B — George speaks to Lennie about the rabbits:

"God a'mighty, if I was alone I could live so easy. I could go get a job an' work, an' no trouble. No mess at all, and when the end of the month come I could take my fifty bucks and go into town and get whatever I want."

Extract C — George reassures Lennie:

"Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world. They got no family. They don't belong no place... With us it ain't like that. We got a future. We got somebody to talk to that gives a damn about us."

1. Annotate Extract A above. Circle or underline two words or phrases that reveal something about George's character. Write your annotations in the box below, explaining what each word or phrase suggests about him.

2. In Extract B, George expresses frustration. Identify one language feature Steinbeck uses and explain its effect on the reader.

Language feature: _______________________

Quotation: "_____________________________________________"

Effect:

3. Extract C shows a different side of George. Which of the following traits does this extract reveal? Tick all that apply.

Selfishness

Protectiveness

Hopefulness

Loneliness

Cruelty

Loyalty

✏️ Part 2: Character Profile

Use evidence from Chapter 1 and the extracts above to complete George Milton's character profile. Use subject-specific vocabulary where possible (e.g. dialogue, inference, juxtaposition, tone).

4. Physical Description — How does Steinbeck describe George's appearance? What might this suggest about his personality?

5. Personality Traits — List three key personality traits George displays in Chapter 1. For each, provide a brief quotation or reference from the text.

Trait 1: _____________________ — Evidence: "_______________________________"

Trait 2: _____________________ — Evidence: "_______________________________"

Trait 3: _____________________ — Evidence: "_______________________________"

6. Relationship with Lennie — How would you describe George's relationship with Lennie in Chapter 1? Choose the statement that best fits and explain your choice.

George is purely a carer — he feels no frustration towards Lennie.

George is frustrated by Lennie but ultimately loyal and protective.

George resents Lennie and wishes to leave him behind.

George and Lennie are equals with no sense of responsibility between them.

Explain your choice:

7. Motivations and Desires — What does George want for himself and for Lennie, based on Chapter 1? Use a quotation to support your answer.

8. Contradictions and Complexity — George appears to contradict himself in Chapter 1. How does Steinbeck present George as a complex character rather than simply 'good' or 'bad'? Write a short analytical response using at least one quotation.

🌟 Part 3: Extended Response

9. Prediction and Development — Based on what you have learned about George in Chapter 1, write a short paragraph predicting how his character might develop as the novel progresses. Consider: Will his relationship with Lennie change? Will his dreams be fulfilled? Use evidence from your profile to support your prediction.

Use subject-specific vocabulary and aim to integrate at least one quotation.

10. Self-Assessment — Tick the boxes to reflect on your learning today.

I can identify key traits of George with supporting evidence from the text.

I can analyse how Steinbeck uses language to present George's character.

I have used quotations accurately within my written responses.

I have used subject-specific vocabulary (e.g. dialogue, tone, inference).

One thing I did well: _____________________________________________________________

One thing I want to improve: ______________________________________________________