Of Mice And Men Research Paper

Of Men and The Art of Dreaming In his novel Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck depicts two men named George and Lennie, wandering ranchers who travel across the states in search of jobs during the Great Depression. By examining the dreams and aspirations of characters like George and Lennie, Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck highlights the elusive nature of the American Dream and its potential to both inspire and destroy individuals in pursuit of a better life. In John Steinbeck's novel Of Mice and Men, the concept of the American Dream is explored through the character of George, a migrant laborer where he states, "If I was alone, I could live easy. I could go get a job, an work, an no trouble...I could take fifty bucks and go into town whatever

Likewise, in John Steinbeck's novel Of Mice and Men, the concept of the American Dream is vividly portrayed through the quote, "Everybody wants a little bit of land, not much. Jus’ somethin’ that was his." Steinbeck 76. This quote, as spoken by Crooks, an African American laborer working with George and Lennie, encapsulates the longing for personal ownership and stability that many characters and those for whom came before the two yearn. It highlights the universal desire for a place to call one's own, where dreams can be pursued, and a sense of belonging can be found. The American Dream, as depicted in the novel, represents the hope for a better future and the pursuit of happiness through hard work and determination. But even with hard work and motivation, the American Dream is just that, a dream that many yearn for. At its core, the American Dream is an illusion of luxury and unobtainable yearnings. Likewise, in “The American Dream,” it states “.The American Dream has at best been an illusion and at worst a trap, unattainable dreams are still necessary, in a way, to make life in America bearable.”

George is forced to let go of his aspirations to navigate the world and its harsh realities, no longer does he have Lennie or the dream to motivate him. Without either, he is left nothing more than a husk, wanting nothing more than to make his earnings and spend it on liquor and at brothels, showing how his dream was both his driving force and now his ruin. In John Steinbeck's Mice and Men, the tantalizing allure of the American Dream both ignites hope and sparks devastation among the characters. As they navigate through dusty ranches and broken dreams, George and Lennie cling to the promise of a brighter future, like a moth drawn to a flickering flame in the darkness. The pursuit of this elusive dream assesses the limits of friendship and resilience, leading to a bittersweet realization that sometimes, the dream itself is the ultimate illusion of false promises wrapped in unattainable desires. Steinbeck reminds us that the American Dream is a double-edged sword, capable of inspiring greatness and destruction in equal