How Does Steinbeck Present The Power In Of Mice And Men

In John Steinbeck’s classic novel, “Of Mice and Men”, the idea of the “American Dream” is a central theme throughout. This dream, as defined by the main characters, is to one day have enough land to live off of and to be their boss. Steinbeck explores the impossibility and power of this dream through the different experiences of George, Lennie, Candy, Crooks, and Curley’s wife. George, the novel’s protagonist, is the one who constantly speaks of the dream. To him, it’s a glimmer of hope in an otherwise bleak existence. He envisions a life where he and Lennie can work for themselves and no longer has to jump from job to job. He tells Lennie, “We’d have our place where we belonged… no one could tell us what to do” (Steinbeck, Chapter 1). George

On the other hand, Lennie can only understand the simplistic nature of the dream. He constantly asks George to tell him about the rabbits they will one day have on their farm. This dream provides Lennie with a sense of purpose, as he believes he has to take care of the rabbits once they obtain their land. However, Lennie’s limited mental capacity makes him unable to fully grasp the reality of what it would take to achieve this dream. Steinbeck is suggesting that the American Dream is possible for some, but not all. Candy, an old and injured worker, offers to invest his life savings into the dream. He sees it as his only chance to have a sense of security in his old age. When George and Lennie first tell Candy about their dream, he says, “If you…guys would want a hand to work for nothing—just his keep, why would I come and lend a hand” (Steinbeck, Chapter 3). Candy’s willingness to put his faith in the dream emphasizes its power. Here is a man who has seen the harsh realities of the world, yet he still believes in the possibility of the

This conversation speaks to the impossibility of the dream. Even if they were able to obtain their land, the structural inequalities that exist in society would still be present. Curley’s wife, perhaps the most tragic character in the novel, also speaks of her version of the American Dream. She tells Lennie, “I coulda been in the movies, and had nice clothes—all them nice clothes as they wear… An’ I coulda sat in them big hotels, an’ had pitchers of ice water…” (Steinbeck, Chapter 5). Curley’s wife’s dream is a reflection of the societal expectations placed on women during that era. She is never given the chance to achieve her dream and instead is trapped in a life she hates. Steinbeck uses this character to suggest that the American Dream is only possible for certain individuals and that societal structures can act as barriers to others. Overall, Steinbeck’s portrayal of the American Dream in “Of Mice and Men” highlights both its impossibility and its