The following version of this book was used to create the guide: Paredes, Américo. George Washington Gómez. Arte Público Press, 1990.

Américo Paredes's novel George Washington Gómez is written from the third person omniscient point of view and in the past tense. The novel begins in San Pedrito in the 1910s and traces the protagonist George Washington Gómez, known familiarly as Guálinto's life from childhood through coming of age.

Shortly after María and Gumersindo's son was born, the couple became convinced that their son would grow up to be a great person and to accomplish great things. They therefore decided to name him after George Washington in the hopes that he would fulfill their dreams for his life. However, they decided to call him Guálinto at home.

When Guálinto was still a baby, his father and his mother's brother Feliciano joined a movement fighting for a Spanish-speaking southwestern state. Although Gumersindo was initially reluctant to become involved in the Revolution, he eventually agreed to join his brothers-in-law, Feliciano and Lupe. Not long into his involvement, Gumersindo was shot by a group of Texas Rangers, or rinches. Just before dying of his wounds, Gumersindo begged Feliciano never to tell his son about the circumstances surrounding his death.

After the movement died out, Feliciano returned to his sister and her family. Because he loved María and had made his promise to Gumersindo, he decided to devote himself to his sister's family's care. He began by moving the family to Jonesville.

En route to Jonesville, the family met a man named Judge Norris. Perceiving something good in Feliciano, Judge told him he could have a job as a bartender at his cantina in Jonesville. Shortly after arriving at the cantina, Feliciano then learned from his employers that he could buy a house in town, too. Feliciano could not believe his good fortune.

When Guálinto was six years old, Feliciano enrolled him in Miss Cornelia's first grade class. Although Guálinto was well-behaved, intelligent, and studious, Miss Cornelia was cruel and tormented him. She was infamous in the school for her aggressive treatment of her Mexican pupils. One day, María and Feliciano found out about Miss Cornelia's abuse when Guálinto returned home covered in welts from one of her beatings. They arranged for him to be moved into a new class.

Over the course of the years that followed, Guálinto applied himself to his studies. He also made friends, becoming particularly close with his peers El Colorado, Orestes, and Francisco. Meanwhile, he was also in love with a classmate named María Elena. Although María Elena only liked Guálinto because he was smart and let her cheat off his papers, Guálinto genuinely cared for her.

As the end of high school approached, Guálinto became increasingly worried about his future. Everyone expected him to leave home and attend college, but he was unsure. When the Great Depression cost his uncle his savings and his shop, Guálinto felt obligated to start working. He wanted to prove himself and was disinterested in relying on Feliciano monetarily any longer. As a result of his work schedule, Guálinto's grades suffered. He did end up graduating, but not at the top of his class as everyone had expected.

After Guálinto attacked a man in the street he did not know was his uncle Lupe, some secrets about his family's past began to surface. However, Feliciano was still careful not to reveal the whole truth.

After graduation, Guálinto visited Feliciano on his plot of farmland, announcing that he was not going to college. Feliciano's friend and coworker Juan realized there were things Guálinto needed to know about his father, uncle, and past. Hearing Juan's revelations altered Guálinto's outlook.

Guálinto ultimately attended college in Colorado. Here he met his soon-to-be wife Ellen Dell. After they married, Ellen became pregnant. Guálinto then took her to Jonesville to visit his family for the first time. When he went to see Feliciano, Feliciano immediately realized his nephew was in the Army. Guálinto admitted that he was. Feliciano could not help feeling disappointed.