“So even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American Dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”-Martin Luther King Jr., I have a dream speech, August 28, 1963. The American Dream is one of many themes prevalent within John Steinbeck’s novel, Of Mice and Men. Steinbeck’s novel introduces the major themes in the initial stages of the text, continues to present these themes by demonstrating their influences on the characters and making reference towards them and presents new themes in relations to the old ones. The first chapter …show more content…
One theme that has a major influence on many characters is loneliness. This theme was introduced in the first chapter by George’s comment regarding men who worked the ranch. This theme is further developed through the development of the characters. Loneliness affected each character in some fashion. “ The door opened and . . . in his left hand.” Steinbeck, 18. One character who demonstrates loneliness is Candy. Candy is the old swamper at the ranch. He is disabled because he lost one of his hands in an accident. He is isolated from the other men in the sense that they treat him differently. "Well-hell! I had him so long. Had him since he was a pup.” - Steinbeck, 44. Candy’s dog is all that keeps him company. He has become emotionally attached to his dog. Another character who demonstrates loneliness is Curley’s Wife. “Both men glanced … brittle quality.” - Steinbeck, 31. Curly’s Wife is the only woman at the ranch. She is bored and lonely, as her husband ensures that no one will talk to her without fear of a beating. She attempts to engage the attention of the men by acting like a tart, but this only pushes them further away from her. ““Know what I think?” George did not answer. “Well, I think Curly’s married a . . . a tart.”"-Steinbeck, 28. Curley’s Wife flirts with the other men at the ranch as a way to cope with her loneliness at the ranch. Another prevalent theme throughout the novel is the American Dream. “The rabbits we’re going to get . . . an’ like that.” - Steinbeck, 69. The rabbits that Lennie is often associated with symbolism the American Dream. This is the part of George’s plan that fascinates Lennie the most because he enjoys soft things. ”You’re nuts." Crooks was scornful. "I seen hundreds of men come by on the road an’ on the ranches, with their