Extract A – George's Appearance

"Both were dressed in denim trousers and in denim coats with brass buttons. Both wore black, shapeless hats and both carried tight blanket rolls slung over their shoulders. George Milton 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's Authority and Frustration

"'Lennie!' he said sharply. 'Lennie, for God's sakes don't drink so much.' Lennie continued to snort into the pool. The small man stepped nervously beside him. 'Lennie!' George said. 'You gonna be sick like you was last night.' Lennie dipped his whole head under, hat and all, and then he sat up on the bank and his hat dripped down on his blue coat and ran down his back. 'That's good,' he said. 'You drink some, George. You take a good big drink.' He smiled happily. George unslung his bindle and dropped it gently on the bank. 'I ain't sure it's good water,' he said. 'Looks kinda scummy to me.'"

Extract C – George's Resentment and Loyalty

"'God, you're a lot of trouble,' said George. 'I could get along so easy and so nice if I didn't have you on my tail. I could live so easy and maybe have a girl.' For a moment Lennie lay quiet, and then he said hopefully, 'We gonna work on a ranch, George.' 'Awright. You got that. But we're gonna sleep here because I got a reason.' The rabbits hurried noiselessly for cover. A stilted heron laboured up into the air and pounded down river. Out in the shallow water, a carp rose to the surface, gulped air and then sank mysteriously into the dark water again, leaving widening rings on the water. Lennie watched them go. 'George, why ain't we goin' on to the ranch and get supper?' 'Because it's better we go in in the morning.'"

Extract D – The Shared Dream

"'O.K. Someday – we're gonna get the jack together and we're gonna have a little house and a couple of acres an' a cow and some pigs and—' 'An' live off the fatta the lan',' Lennie shouted. 'An' have rabbits. Go on, George! Tell about what we're gonna have in the garden and about the rabbits in the cages and about the rain in the winter and the stove, and how thick the cream is on the milk like you can hardly cut it. Tell about that, George.' 'Why'n't you do it yourself? You know all of it.' 'No, you tell it. It ain't the same if I tell it. Go on, George. How I get to tend the rabbits.' George spoke rhythmically as though he had said the words many times before."

Extract E – George's Instructions and Care

"'Look, Lennie – if you jus' happen to get in trouble like you always done before, I want you to come right here an' hide in the brush.' 'Hide in the brush,' said Lennie slowly. 'Hide in the brush till I come for you. Can you remember that?' 'Sure I can, George. Hide in the brush till you come.' 'But you ain't gonna get in no trouble, because if you do, I won't let you tend the rabbits.' He threw his empty bean can off into the brush. 'I won't,' said Lennie. 'I won't never get in no trouble. I thought you was mad at me, George.' 'No,' said George. 'No, Lennie. I ain't mad. I never been mad, and I ain't now. That's a thing I want ya to know.'"