Of Mice And Men American Dream Analysis

The American Nightmare In John Steinbeck’s novella, “Of Mice and Men,” Steinbeck seems to send the message to his readers to never give up on their dreams but to also have the ability to adapt their plans for life to the ever-changing reality around them. Steinbeck sends this message through the stories of various characters in his novella; from Lennie, who never seemed to be able to give up on his dreams of tending rabbits on his and George’s ranch, to Curley’s wife, whose circumstances in life had taken away her fantasies of becoming a movie star, and to Crooks, whose mentality and declining position in life had forced him to stop believing in a better future. Steinbeck utilization of forgotten and broken dreams illustrates just how powerful of an

Crooks was an African American, which resulted in him being shut out and forced to live in the barn, while the rest of the ranch hands cozied up in the bunkhouse. This forced isolation and hostility towards Crooks made him grow sour, defensive, and lonely. Crooks aspired to be seen as an equal and “go into the bunkhouse and play rummy” with the other boys (72 c). However, once Lennie’s kindness seeped into him, Crooks started to believe that a better, brighter future was possible for him; Crooks even volunteered to “lend a hand” on George and Lennie’s ranch and “work for nothing-just his keep” when he heard about the opportunity (76 c). Then Curley’s wife crushed Crooks’ new-found dream and confidence with the harsh reminder that his racial status made him “inferior” and because of this his life was meaningless in comparison. The threats from Curley’s wife intimidated Crooks to retreat back into himself and back into his “stuck” mentality of never being able to achieve anything other than what he already was… bitter and