Curley's Wifes American Dream

Of Mice and Men Of Mice and Men tells of the ambitions and works of George and his dull friend Lennie who find work on a farm. The American Dream preaches equal chance for everyone to achieve prosperity and happiness, while this simply is not true for the characters. By the use of repetition of ideas and dialogue, Steinbeck conveys how social and physical inequalities impede the American dream for minorities of the Great Depression. The repetition of the characters’ goal of getting their own house, reveals the characters ambitious nature. In the passage all the main minorities of the time are gathered : a woman, an elderly man, a black, and a mentally challenged man, Lennie. It starts out with Candy speaking of the wonders and luxury of the house Lennie and George plan to buy (84).

The first time Crooks hears of the idea he accuses Lennie of being nuts, and tells Candy, “I never seen a guy really do it”(84), providing insight to the unlikelihood by referencing the lack of previous success. Curley’s wife also denies it saying, “If you had two bits in the worl’, why you’d be in gettin’ two shots of corn … I know you guys” (87). By saying this she conveys the characters as incapable of handling such money and success. After Crooks joins the group to buy the house, he argues with Curley’s wife about her condescension and gets his hopes ruined. Through the repetition of derogatory slang and lynching threats, Crooks sinks into himself and loses confidence (89). This emphasizes the social hierarchy and how quickly whites can deny Blacks’ dreams and hopes. After everyone leaves, Crookes will tell Candy, “jus’ forget it … I didn’t mean it, jus’ foolin’” (91). This solidifies his defeat and the death of his hopes, bringing down the rest of the characters. By having Crooks lose this argument, Steinbeck foreshadows the failure of our characters in reaching their