The American dream is something that we all strive for in one way or another. Whether it’s being equal to the people around you, or having freedom to be successful in whatever you want in life. But for the characters in Of Mice and Men it is the dream of owning land and being independent from everyone else. But the American Dream is not something that is given to you, it includes work ethic, knowing that the dream may be impossible and the sacrifice that may have to be made. These are all things that George and Lennie and other characters in the book have to do to eventually reach the American dream.
(page 119-120, Steinbeck) This quote again shows George's constant hope of living the american dream. George is always talking to Lennie or whoever else will listen really, about him and Lennie's life plan, which even more supports the theme that Steinbeck establishes as the yearning for the american dream. Steinbeck uses imagery and characterization to make the theme of the book Of Mice and Men evident. The theme of course is the wishing for the american dream.
How does Steinbeck show the failing dreams of all the main characters, and how easy their goals are shattered throughout the book? Throughout the book, Of Mice and Men, George and Lennie, two labor workers that are run out of their previous employment in Weed, find a ranch to work on in Salinas Valley California to fulfill their dreams of being rich and having their own farm. Salinas Valley is where they plan to stay until they have saved enough money to have their own ranch and move on. Besides the dreams George and Lennie have, many other people on the ranch have ones as well. While Steinbeck illustrates the journey the characters go through to achieve their dreams, their failed attempt occurs for numerous reasons.
In Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck uses the dreams and fates of Lennie, Crook, and Curley’s Wife, in order to illustrate that the American dream is not possible for all social classes. When talking to Lennie, Crooks says “I ain’t wanted in the bunk house, and you ain’t wanted in my room.” P.65. This is the dream that Crooks wants.
Throughout the novella Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, the theme of the unrealized dream is displayed through characters such as Lennie, George, Candy, and Curley’s wife. The unrealized dream, also known as the American Dream, is portrayed differently for a few different characters in the book. Best friends George and Lennie have a shared dream which is to have a serene farm ranch, even if it is small, with a mediocre house, a rabbit pen, and a garden where they can grow their own vegetables and herbs. They long to live independently away from rude bosses and harsh ranches. This is seen differently for a character such as Candy who only wants to keep his job even though he is disabled.
There are many symbols in the book “Of Mice and Men.” Among them are Lennie and George’s dream, Candy’s dog, rabbits, mice, Lennie’s puppy, Crooks’ room, and the bunkhouse. The dream George and Lennie have itself represents the American dream in general. Their dream symbolizes the protection, independence, and freedom many have come to expect from the American dream. To Lennie and George, the farm is paradise and talking about it makes them very happy.
Though all of these examples of text in the novella Of Mice and Men we can tell that Steinbeck was passionate about displaying the american dream in as many ways as possible. Whether it be a dream to have a happy life or just a dream to pet bunnies each dream was shown in their own
"And I get to tend the rabbits" (Steinbeck 105). Rabbits were what George and Lennie were talking about just moments before Lennie dies. George knew that this innocent idea of tending rabbits would calm Lennie down so his last thoughts would be something that brought him joy. By using the motif of rabbits Steinbeck shows how Lennie would have never been able to survive off that dream and how having innocent dreams can blind you from the real
A Dime in the Rough What does it mean to be an American? Having freedom, being a patriot, your own way of life? Being an American is all of this and much more. America and the American Dream have been very controversial topics for the last hundred years, they are key elements that give people within and outside America the feeling of hope and positivity in their day to day lives. Elie Wiesel, a famed article writer and a survivor of the holocaust, is a perfect example of what a positive and hopeful view of America on the outside looks like.
Is the American Dream impossible or does it just take time to find? In the novel Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck’s characters have many goals that they wish to achieve. The main characters, George and Lennie, want to own farmland and animals, and their own home. Obstacles come along throughout the novel that create great difficulties for the characters to reach their lifelong goals. Steinbeck’s perspective of the American Dream is that it is more of an idea than it is a realistic goal that can be reached, and he develops this theme through characters, settings and symbols in the novel.
The American Dream is only attainable to those who are privileged and considered truly American. Though many immigrants believe that they can grasp the American Dream, it is always out of reach and can never be achieved. The American Dream can never be accomplished through working hard and determination. Often, people chase the American Dream with high expectations for a new life, and they are often disappointed when failure strikes. Because of this, many of the characters in Of Mice and Men struggle to achieve the dreams they’ve been longing for.
Since 1931 when James Truslow Adams first created the phrase “the American Dream”, people believed that America continuously offered everyone an equal opportunity to be successful. John Steinbeck’s novella, Of Mice and Men, was set during the Great Depression. Farms were struck hard during the Depression, and the two main characters George and Lennie were farm hands during this time. They had experienced the misunderstandings of other farm hands in terms of Lennie’s mental disability, but they were trying to earn enough money to buy their own farm. The idea of this farm drove Lennie and George to keep working, and like many others during this time they hoped to achieve this dream.
The idea of the American Dream is indicated through out the novel, especially through the characters Lennie and George. They talk about their dream so much that it becomes a ritual between them and often they can finish each other’s thoughts and sentences. This is quite amazing, because Lennie is mentally challenged and has trouble thinking for himself. The dream gives both men purpose in a time when life is harsh and cruel.
Lennie and George’s relationship and their development throughout the story is shown through these ideas: dreams and reality, the nature of home, and the difference between right and
In conclusion, to express that the american dream is impossible Steinbeck used conversation, conflicts, and events. Throughout of mice and men George and Lennie got into many situations where they felt scared , worried, and angry. Together the plan was to get the money to live in a small place, tend to the rabbits and alpha so they are happy. But things happen such as George killing Lennie that make the american dream impossible to achieve.