ipl-logo

Comparing The American Dream In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

2293 Words10 Pages

The dream one cannot quite remember. Every time it creeps into the back of one’s mind, and one struggles to grasp it; it slips through his fingers, like sand through an hourglass. Now imagine the dream as one’s goal, a goal one has always wished to accomplish. That is what the American Dream of many of those who are belittled by society can be like. Every time they gain distance toward achieving their goal or dream, it slips through their fingers; they are unable to complete their goals or advance their position in life. The book Of Mice and Men- a realistic fiction novella by John Steinbeck- discusses this topic. The work has the theme that the American dream is all but achievable for many. Of Mice and Men represents the theme of, not everyone …show more content…

For marginalized people, that is exactly what it feels like when they attempt to achieve their American dream, and conquer their goals. Those looked down on by the general public have a difficult if not impossible accomplishing their dreams. Steinbeck discusses this theme in the novella Of Mice and Men through the people who are discriminated by race, disability, wealth and gender. No matter how hard they try, the grasp on their dreams always slips out of their fingers. Every time they near the dream, it just slips away from them again. Few who are belittled by society achieve their dreams, no matter the amount of work or thought put into their goals and dreams. Marginalization of others has happened since humans have had civilization. There have always been a community of people looked down on by the general public, almost always by race, disability, wealth, and gender. Those who are belittled by others may put in large amounts of effort, and thought into their dream, but something will come up; something will always prevented from succeeding in their goals. Everyone must be more accepting of all to give all a better chance at being able to have their American Dream. There would be none discriminated against by others, and, therefore, everyone would have an equal chance to accomplish their American Dream and

Show More
Related

Summary Of Rhetorical Analysis Of Is A Hard Life Inherited

1030 Words | 5 Pages

The Non-existent American Fantasy What is the “American Dream”? Work hard, climb the ladders of society, and achieve economic prosperity for oneself and family. However, what of those who fail to do so and drown to the bottom of disparity? They are generally looked down upon and mostly ignored. In “Is a Hard Life Inherited?”

Read More

How Does Tom Buchanan Represent The Corruption Of The American Dream

1051 Words | 5 Pages

The American Dream is often seen as a goal for many people in the United States, with the idea that it can lead to a more fulfilling, richer, and happier life. This concept is rooted in the early days of the country and the belief that "all men are created equal," meaning that the American Dream is meant to be a clear path to success for all Americans regardless of their race, gender, sexuality, political beliefs, or religion. However, upon further examination, it becomes clear that the true American Dream has not been fully achieved. Despite the promise of equality and opportunity, there are still barriers and inequalities that prevent certain groups from achieving the same level of success as others. This suggests that the American Dream,

Read More

Analysis Of Fences, By Zora Neale Hurston

1323 Words | 6 Pages

The American Dream is one that almost every American citizen has dreamt about at some point in their lives, however it is repeatedly destroyed in reaching it by the people who are so often known as the ones created to support them. An example of this is Fences, by August Wilson (1983), as it essentially describes family life, and how the dynamics of each family depends on how they treat each other and the circle of abuse. It is also an example of how the people who are the closest can either encourage their family members to go to their dreams, or completely crush them. They have the ability to do this due to their position, and because their opinion means more to the person whose dreams are in question. “Sweat” by Zora Neale Hurston supports

Read More

Late 1930s Song Of Solomon: The American Dream

776 Words | 4 Pages

While many have dreams to be rich, healthy, and hardworking, America is special because it is the only country to have a national dream. All Americans and immigrants pursue, if not acknowledge the concept of The American Dream. From the founding fathers of our country to the present day, there has been stories and concepts of The American Dream. Although the term has existed since 1931, the content and to whom it applies has varied from the late 1700s to now. Seen in American Literature from Benjamin Franklin’s Poor Richard’s Almanac and autobiography to the late 1930s Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison, the American Dream has undergone many revisions.

Read More

Comparing The Great Gatsby And Ain T I A Woman

716 Words | 3 Pages

Former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders once said, “For many, the American dream has become a nightmare” ("Bernie Sanders Quotes"). The American dream evolved during the early 1930s and was defined as the “dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement” (Amadeo). At first the dream was the wish to live the fullest life with the best opportunities for everyone but as Bernie said, it has turned into a nightmare. The American dream automatically comes with obstacles because where there is good, there is bad. The Great Gatsby, A Raisin in the Sun, and “Ain’t I a Woman?” are great examples of how Americans face obstacles when trying to reach the ultimate goal.

Read More

The Place Where Ghosts Of Salmon Jump By Pedro Petri

637 Words | 3 Pages

The American Dream is seen as people having equal opportunities and achieving whatever they want. This American dream that we all think about is not achievable, which is supported by “The Place Where Ghosts of Salmon Jump,” Of Mice and Men, The Great Gatsby, and the “Puerto Rican Obituary.” All of these sources support the unachievable parts of the American Dream because they all talk about having this dream, but then being set back by inequality, money, unchangeable things, and death. For example, “Puerto Rican Obituary” by Pedro Petri, talks about Puerto Ricans who have moved to America for a better life. They work and work, and work, and yet their dreams are still pushed back due to things such as inequality.

Read More

Comparing The American Dream In The Great Gatsby And Their Eyes Were Watching God

881 Words | 4 Pages

Although we have the freedom to access the American Dream most people have challenges of achieving it. In the novels, Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston and The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, we see each protagonist struggling ,but at the same time a strong aspiration in obtaining their American Dream. For example, Jay Gatsby, he was the definition of the American Dream,he builds his social status from becoming a farm boy to one of the world's top millionaire but his dream wasn't complete without the love of Daisy. Unfortunately Janie Crawford in Their Eyes Were Watching God

Read More

Comparing The Great Gatsby 'And America'

769 Words | 4 Pages

In conclusion, the American dream can be seen in different ways. Some of those ways could be working hard or trying to reach the top. Every person can see this dream as wanting to get a job, getting into a school, being successful, and more. Both of these works show hope and disillusionment. These topics help form the stories and have

Read More

The American Dream In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

735 Words | 3 Pages

Using the novel Of Mice and Men created by John Steinbeck, I will investigate how the author feels about the idea of “The American Dream.” From the title of this book you could foreshadow how preparation and hard work might not be enough to achieve the dream that you have. Also, the two main characters, George and Lennie, are chasing their dream that always seems to be out of reach. Opposite of the optimists, was Crooks who is more of a realist who believes no matter how much you believe and try that dreams are only in your head. Even though, the characters play a major role in distinguishing Steinbeck’s message about dreams in our life.

Read More

Examples Of The American Dream In Of Mice And Men

1801 Words | 8 Pages

Motifs such as lightness and darkness, light representing hopes and dreams while darkness representing reality continue to reinforce the theme of this novella: The American Dream is unachievable to people who are discriminated because of racism, sexism and ableism. The American Dream is unachievable to people who are discriminated because of racism, sexism and ableism. Steinbeck portrays this through lightness and darkness, light representing hopes and dreams and darkness representing the reality.

Read More

TED Talks: The American Dream

1309 Words | 6 Pages

The American dream is having equality, a voice to be heard and stability in one’s life. However, the American Dream is just that, a dream. It cannot be attained because of the power of our government, the ignorant minds of others and the constant want for more. What should be trivial factors in life, such as: race, gender, social class, wealth, etc., all have a significant effect on the impractical American dream. the “TED Talks” video proves this.

Read More

Impossible Dreams: The American Dream

822 Words | 4 Pages

Impossible Dreams The meaning of the American Dream can be seen as ”A uniquely American vision of the country consisting of three central ideas. The American dream consists of a belief in America as the new Eden- a land of beauty, bounty, and unlimited promise; a feeling of optimism, created by ever expanding opportunity; and a confidence in the triumph of the individual.” Using this definition of the so called “American dream”, it seems to be a great representation of it at first, until you realize it includes everyone as the individual. From the beginning of the Civil war to the end of the War to End All Wars, the American Dream wasn’t possible due to the treatment of the Native Americans, the inequality between women and men, and the false promises given to the immigrants coming to our country in their time of need.

Read More

Essay On The American Dream In The Great Gatsby

923 Words | 4 Pages

The American Dream: Promising or Hopeless? A statement from the article “Rethinking the American Dream” reads, “(…) like so many before and after him, was overcome by the power of the American Dream” (Source E). The American Dream is the ideal that everyone should possess an equal opportunity to achieve success and prosperity through determination. F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel

Read More

Theme Of Violence In Macbeth

577 Words | 3 Pages

We first meet ShakespeaRE-Told’s head chef, Joe Macbeth, at a stainless steel countertop, where he tenderly carves a pig’s head, each stroke laden with care. “First rule in a kitchen: respect. See this animal? This animal was noble, highly intelligent, feeling… Never forget that.” Meanwhile, in Kurzel’s Macbeth, a flourish of slashing swords presents the film’s hardened protagonist, Macbeth, who stains the verdant battlefield red with each slow-motion-slitting of a throat.

Read More

The Problem With The American Dream

1056 Words | 5 Pages

The Problem with the American Dream According to the history books, the widely-known expression “the American Dream” was originally coined by James Truslow Adams in 1931. It was first described in Adams’s book “The Epic of America” as “...not a dream of motor cars and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain the fullest stature of which they are innately capable.” Over the years, America has become more egalitarian, but much must be done until there is true equality. Although the concept of the American Dream has always been believed to be open to everyone, throughout American history it has only been continuously accessible to the upper-class majority.

Read More

More about Comparing The American Dream In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

Related Topics

Open Document