Afirst glance all of the characters in Of Mice and Men seem to be almost vague, but on closer inspection on realizes that each character is very unique. By examining the main characters in Of Mice and Men we learn a lot about their complex exterior. The characters we get to know the best are, George, Lenny, Curly's wife, and Crooks.
George is one of the first characters we encounter. We are given the simple description of the appearance of a working man, but he is further described as short tempered and nervous. This is at first is the only insight of George's character we have but it is through his many interactions with Lenny that we learn of George's loyalty and selfless devotion to his friend. George shows these traits of loyalty and selflessness when on many occasions he gets frustrated with Lenny and threatens to abandon him, but never leaves his side, acting as Lenny's only protection from the outside world. Although rough on the outside George is a very hopeful man and fantasizes for a better future. George dreams of one day sharing a farm with Lenny, where they could be their own bosses. Although George is very hopeful he does not let his visions for the future delude him from the harsh reality of life. This trait of practicality is the same trait that at the end of the story gives George the strength to shoot his best friend in the back of the head. George knows that this is the only way of protecting from suffering at the hands of Curly. .
While being the most important character Lenny, is the least complex, and the story is centered around this fact. Because Lenny is a rather two dimensional character the reader learns very little about him. From the start we know that he is dependent on George for even the most basic needs, and also that he is very gentle. This is a contrast to his most notable physical feature, his massive size. These traits of size and gentleness conflict as Lenny loves to pet soft things but his alarming strength always results in his killing the things he tries to nurture.