In the classic American story, Of Mice and Men, author John Steinbeck portrays the American Dream as a sense of hope which creates the desire to work hard during poor conditions, even through the economic downfall and hardships of the Great Depression. The want for this dream is conveyed through the John Steinbeck’s use of symbolism throughout the novel. The house and farm that George and Lennie want to purchase symbolizes their unique idea of the American Dream because it represents how George and Lennie want to own their own land that they can call home. Through this symbol, John Steinbeck explains that George and Lennie work so hard going from farm to farm to earn money for their dream. George says he has never “‘seen such a worker’” like Lennie. In all the time George has hopped from farm to farm, he thinks Lennie is the best worker he has seen. Both of the men push through and endure harsh conditions just to see this vision of a “little house” and “a cow and some pigs” become a reality. …show more content…
It gave drive to the characters such as George and Lennie. Candy, the old swamper, was an “old man” who knew his time working on the farm was about up because of his age and disability. He had the American Dream too and wanted to go with George and Lennie. Candy had worked hard for a long time and saved up money one day hoping to own his own land that he couldn’t be fired from because he was old or disabled. Candy is given hope when he hears both George and Lennie talking about the little house. He says “‘how much they want for that?’” and Candy also says that it will be their “‘own little place’”. The Great Depression choked the will and motivation out of people, but this American Dream gave the three characters more drive and determination to work harder than