Of Mice And Men's American Dream

For many years America has dreamed to manifest its own destiny. Dreams of a better life, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion kindled a hidden desire in Americans causing many settlers to immigrate. This created a movement that would later be known as the great American Dream. People traveled west in search of a better life and firmly believed that their lives would become better essentially embodying America as the land of opportunity. It was not until the late 1920s and early 1930s that this dream changed immensely after the stock market crashed. The dreams once pursued had succumbed to the emergence of the Great Depression and many once hopeful people were left in ruin (“Of Mice and Men.” Novels 250). One of the main topics of the

Steinbeck perfectly portrays the harsh truth of society and how many dreams are destroyed causing misery and emptiness (“Of Mice and Men.” Novels 248). At first George and Lennie aspire to own a farm that they can call their own. Candy and Crooks later join this dream to escape from society’s harsh judgment. The four of them slowly make their way towards their goal. However, their dream ends when Lennie kills Curley 's wife and is hunted down. George is forced to shoot him and their dream of owning a farm ends. “ And George raised the gun and steadied it, and he brought the muzzle of it close to the back of Lennie’s head. He hand shook violently, but his face se and his hand steadied. He pulled the trigger.” (Steinbeck 106). George and Lennie’s hope and dreams end with the death of Lennie. Steinbeck shows that the American Dream inspired many during the 1930’s, but ultimately it would end in failure, grief, and sorrow. Curley’s Wife also had a dream to become an aspiring actress. "He says he was gonna put me in the movies. Says I was a natural. Soon 's he got back to Hollywood he was gonna write to me about it." (Steinbeck 88). Her dream is ultimately ruined by her mother who steals the letter that she is expecting from the executive. It is obvious that Curley’s wife is desperately lonely by her behavior on the