Minority Experiences Of The American Dream In Of Mice And Men By John Steinbeck

Minority Experiences of the American Dream

The American dream is an ideal which describes the opportunity of achieving goals, aspirations, and equality to any American (Oxford Dictionary). America is seen as the country where anything is possible, as most found “freedom, opportunity, justice, and order” (Suri 720). From an immigrant's point of view, going to America is a fresh start and an escape from a world of turmoil due to America being a promised land of hope. Although America was filled with discrimination, like racism and sexism, it was far better than the lives and opportunities provided elsewhere (Suri 720). Many wanted to follow the American way of life which consisted of a “possibility of renewal” and “great dignity, even beauty.”

One example is Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. Of Mice and Men illustrates how certain people perceive the American dream. For example, the book features a multitude of people who are heavily discriminated against, like an African American man named Crooks and a man with a mental disability named Lennie. These two are unfortunately faced with a lack of opportunity, which makes achieving their idea of the American dream seem futile. However, Lennie believes heavily in his personal ideal, and it motivates and inspires him every day. Crooks criticizes this and implies Lennie and Candy, a man who faces discrimination due to his age, are “stupid” for even thinking that they can succeed in this dream, but soon feels inspired and wants to join them in the future (Steinbeck 76). But, after he receives a racist remark from Curley’s Wife, he feels uninspired and tells Candy to forget about it (Steinbeck 83). Lennie is still hoping for his dream, but unfortunately due to his disability it is unachievable. These two characters and the interaction between them directly shows the relationship between minorities and the American dream. It demonstrates how they are more likely to struggle in their attempts in achieving the American dream due to discrimination, which correlates to both the previously mentioned immigrants and African Americans in the United States, who also struggled in reaching their goals. However, just because some people were less successful in their attempts did not mean that all would be, like Oprah Winfrey, Henry Kissinger, and Candy from the book. Of Mice and Men does not go into specific details regarding whether Candy, who was involved in the process of achieving the American dream, actually succeeded in the end, instead it is likely left up to the readers