George Milton on Trial: an IGCSE discussion activity about whether his killing of Lennie was murder or mercy.
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The People vs. George Milton
Was the killing of Lennie Small an act of murder — or an act of mercy? You decide.
Prosecution
Murder in cold blood
George knowingly and deliberately ended Lennie's life. No court had ruled. No sentence had been passed. George appointed himself judge, jury, and executioner.
Defence
A mercy killing
George acted from loyalty and love to spare Lennie the terror and humiliation of a public lynching. His hand shook — this was not cold. It was the hardest thing he ever did.
Exhibit A — Key evidence from the text
Prosecution
"George raised the gun and his hand shook… The hand shook violently."
George hesitates — does this suggest doubt, or guilt?
Defence
"No, Lennie. I ain't mad. I never been mad, an' I ain't now. That's a thing I want ya to know."
George's last words to Lennie are comfort and truth — not anger.
Defence
"Look across the river, Lennie, an' I'll tell you so you can almost see it."
George lets Lennie die in the dream — with hope, not fear.
Prosecution
"He ain't gonna let 'em hurt Lennie."
But is killing Lennie yourself the same as protecting him?
Parallel — Candy's dog
"I oughtta of shot that dog myself, George. I shouldn't oughtta of let no stranger shoot my dog."
Candy's regret shapes how we read George's choice — does it justify it?
Context
"Lennie jarred, and then settled slowly forward to the sand, and lay without quivering."
Steinbeck's prose is quiet, almost peaceful — what does this suggest about his judgement?
The witnesses — your roles
GS
Prosecution
Argue that no individual has the right to take another's life, regardless of intent. Focus on the fact that Lennie could not consent, and that alternative options existed.
CF
Defence
Use Candy's regret about his dog as your anchor. Argue that George's act mirrors the most compassionate impulse in the novel — to choose how your loved one dies.
JD
The Judge
Analysis
Keep order, ask follow-up questions of each side, and deliver a final summary of the strongest arguments heard. You do not have to pick a side — but you must weigh the evidence.
JY
The Jury
You!
Listen, annotate the evidence, and deliver a written verdict with at least two textual references after the debate.
Discussion questions — for your written response
Question 1
Is George's act best described as murder or mercy killing? How does the parallel with Candy's dog shape your reading of his decision?
Question 2
Does Steinbeck present George's action as heroic, tragic, or morally ambiguous? How does the prose style at the moment of the shooting support your view?
Question 3
How does the social context of the Great Depression and the powerlessness of migrant workers bear on the question of George's choices?
Academic source
Shen, T.-X., & Wang, Y.-H. (2022). Mercy killing or murder: A moral dilemma regarding the death of Lennie in Of Mice and Men. International Journal of Social Sciences and Artistic Innovations, 2(4), 34–40. https://doi.org/10.35745/ijssai2022v02.04.0004