After Slim introduces himself to George and Lennie, he tells them that he wishes they were on his team to buck barley and asks if they travel around together. When George says that they look after each other, Slim responds by saying:

Ain't many guys travel around together. (Steinbeck 18)

After learning about George and Lennie's plan to purchase an estate, Candy says that he is willing to give George his life savings to tag along. Candy desperately wants to live on the estate with George and Lennie and says:

S'pose I went in with you guys. Tha's three hunderd an' fifty bucks I'd put in. (Steinbeck 30)

After befriending Lennie in the barn while the other men are playing horseshoes, Curley's wife tells Lennie"

You're nuts . . . But you're a kinda nice fella. Jus' like a big baby. (Steinbeck 44)

When Carlson enters the bunkhouse, he immediately smells Candy's ancient dog and begins to complain about the dog's smell. Candy responds by saying that he doesn't notice the smell, and Carlson says:

Well, I can't stand him in here . . . That stink hangs around even after he's gone. (Steinbeck 23).

At the beginning of the novel, Lennie upsets George, who begins to yell at him. After George upsets Lennie, he apologizes, and Lennie encourages him to talk about their dream of one day purchasing their own estate where they will live off the "fatta the lan'." The fantasy calms Lennie down and George begins to elaborate on their unique situation and bright future by saying:

With us it ain't like that. We got a future. We got somebody to talk to that gives a damn about us. (Steinbeck 8)

The first quote comes from Slim, who shows some interest when he learns that George and Lennie travel around together. He notes that there is a real contrast between George and Lennie and other ranch hands, who tend not to work together.

The second quote comes from Candy, who is very interested in joining George and Lennie. In fact, he is so interested that he offers $350—a significant sum—to make this dream a reality. This quote is, therefore, linked to the theme of the American Dream.

The third quote comes from Curley's wife, who is talking with Lennie in the barn. Curley's wife sees that Lennie is harmless and, in fact, a nice person. This is ironic, because this quote appears shortly before her death.

The fourth quote comes from Carlson and is spoken in relation to Candy's dog. It is Carlson who suggests that Candy shoot the dog because the dog is old and smells bad.

The fifth quote comes from George and relates to his relationship with Lennie. For George, traveling with Lennie gives him friendship and comfort, something that he believes he would not have if he lived and worked alone.

Quote 1: "Ain't many guys travel around together.  I don't know why." The speaker is SLIM.

Quote 2:  "S'pose I wentin with you guys. That's three hundred an' fiftyI'd put in." The speaker is CANDY.

Quote 3:  "You're nuts but you're a kinda nice fella. Just like a big baby."  The speaker is CURLEY'S WIFE.

Quote 4:  "Well I can't stand him in here."  The speaker is CARLSON.

Quote 5:  "With us it ain't like that. We got a future. We got somebody to talk to that gives a damn about us."  The speaker is GEORGE.