During life, there are many obstacles you will endure, but the side of you that is prominent will determine the victory or failure. John Steinbeck, in Of Mice and Men portrays two characters, Lennie and George as a split person. Lennie, the rough, instinctive character is violent and acts upon his first thought; as an animal. He doesn't think problems through to do the logical thing, but rather jumps to the nearest conclusion. George balances him because he controls his emotions and behavior and represents himself in a much cleaner, more polite manner. One being the yin and the other the yang. Steinbeck paints the portrait of these two as being two aspects of a man to present the idea that if you let your animalistic side overcome your humanistic side, then you will only receive failure in return. .
The human nature is both oppressive and calm. George represents the collected, smart side, or the humanistic view. George: "The first man was small and quick, dark of face with restless eyes and sharp strong features" (Steinbeck 2) This quote satisfies the description as knowing that he is the strong, dominant character. When George and Lennie are thrown out of Weed, because of the animal in Lennie, they had to look for another job. George has to control Lennie to accomplish the task set before them. In Soledad, they plan on applying for a job one quarter of a mile from where they"re spending the night. While waiting for morning to approach George warns Lennie; "I"ll give him the work tickets, but you ain't gonna say a word. You jus" stand there and don't say nothing. If he finds out what a crazy bastard you are, we won't get no job. (6) George receives the job, but the workers think that it's awfully suspicious how George does all the talking and won't allow Lennie to speak. But, if he had allowed Lennie to speak, they would've been denied the job and left out on the streets. George feels guilty to leave Lennie and go ahead and live his life, because that is the nurturing, caring side of a human.
