George 'Milton'

I REMEMBER Lennie's name was Small in the novella, same as the film. Don't remember if George had a last name in the book, and the couple places I looked online, very quickly, only used their first names. Not that it is important, though, if the name was tacked on for the film or not. And this may be stating the obvious, but George's last name is Milton - seems to be an obvious reference to 'Paradise Lost', no? George's belief in the possibility of getting away from the predatory and violent world is dashed when He finds Mae, the haven envisioned by him, Lennie and Candy is gone forever (also referenced by Crooks- "It's just like Heaven. Nobody ever gets to Heaven").

In the end Lennie dies with visions of Paradise in his head, his dreams are never dashed. In the context of the story, Lennie is the lucky one. George is a great character. Steinbeck was just wonderful.

Takes two to tumble it takes two to tango
Speak up don't mumble when you're in the combo