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John Steinbeck’s writing refutes The American Dream by depicting the life of 2 middle aged men, who cannot achieve their dreams despite their best efforts.

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The American Dream, based on how people define it, can be defined in many different ways.“The definition that most relates to Of Mice and Men's American Dream is being able to have and create the ideal life with nothing or little to start with.” In the book “Of Mice and Men”, John Steinbeck thinks that the American Dream is not attainable. The characters in the book, George and Lennie, they are on their way to find a new job, but as the night progresses, they stop for the night. Then Lennie asks George what their dream was, which they seem like they’ve had for a while now. But with their dream, they were going to face some challenges.

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Every person in American has their own version of The American Dream, which is one of the themes Steinbeck used in the process of writing this book.

The American Dream is defined in many ways. Based on some research and this story, the definition that most relates to Of Mice and Men's American Dream is being able to have and create the ideal life with nothing or little to start with. John Steinbeck, the author of Of Mice And Men, does not believe that the American Dream is attainable.

As George and Lennie are on their way to get their new jobs, it begins to get dark so they stop and rest for the night. As the night progresses, Lennie asked George if he would tell him their dream again because Lennie likes the thought that George is going to let him tend the rabbits. To make Lennie happy, he begins. "O.K. Someday- we're gonna get the jack together and we're gonna have a little house and a couple of acres an' a cow and some pigs..." (Steinbeck 14).
Based on what George tells Lennie, they must having been planning for a while and know what they want. They want a place where they can live and belong, without having to run anywhere or get into any trouble. But, like all great rewards, there were some challenges that came first.

Peter Lisca had he's own thoughts on the book. He states that George never speaks of their dream unless Lennie's requested to hear it. "...George never mentions the dream except for Lennie's benefit. That his own "dream" is quite different from Lennie's is established early in the novel..." (Lisca 345). I agree with Lisca. Throughout the story George never really talk about it unless Lennie asked to hear about tending the rabbits. I think George probably know that will be a long shot for them knowing that is hard to keep a job as long as Lennie is around.

This is a novel of defeated hope and the harsh reality of the American Dream. George and Lennie are poor homeless migrant workers, doomed to a life of wandering and toil in which they are never able to reap the fruits of their labor. Their desires may not seem so unfamiliar to any other American: a place of their own, the opportunity to work for themselves and harvest what they sew with no one to take anything from them or give them orders.

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Every person in American has their own version of The American Dream, which is one of the themes Steinbeck used in the process of writing this book. The American Dream is defined in many ways.

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The American Dream in John Steinbeck's novel

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The American Dream in John Steinbeck's novel

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The American Dream is the idea that overcoming obstacles and beating all odds to become successful. In “Of Mice and Men”, this is a predominant theme in the story. “George once warned his friend that if he didn’t keep quiet, or if he caused trouble at the ranch, they wouldn’t get the job that they badly needed.” In “Of Mice and Men”, George and Lennie had a dream of owning some pieces of land where they will grow their own food and tend their livestock, etc., but as that was their dream, they were trying to work for it by finding a job, but being unsuccessful in the process

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This dream Is fueled by the hope of one day leading a happy and prosperous life in a land that, more than NY other country, allows the people the chance to "write the script of their own lives". The American Dream became the idea of an individual overcoming all obstacles and beating all odds to one day be successful. This subject is the predominant theme in John Steinbeck novel Of Mice and Men as well as Lorraine Handlebar's classic play, "A Rally In the Sun".

Of Mice and Men, which takes place during the Great Depression in California, begins with George and his lumbering friend Leonie following a dusty path along the banks of the Salinas River, with their only possessions, their bedrolls and a few articles of looting. Leonie, a mentally slow yet harmless man, had cost them their previous jobs; his Innocent fascination with a young girl's red dress and his clumsy attempt to touch It had frightened the girl, forcing them to flee an angry mob. Now they were heading to a nearby ranch to sign on as farmhands. Sing Lien's love of animals as a means of control, George once more warned his friend that if he didn't keep quiet, or if he caused any trouble at the ranch, they wouldn't get the Job they so badly needed; then they couldn't earn the money for their dream - a farm of their own. Later on In the novel, while the ranch hands entertained themselves with a simple game of horseshoes, Leonie stayed alone In the barn holding a pup that Slim, one of the other farm hands had given him. He did not realize that, through his constant and over-vigorous petting he had killed the puppy.

As he sat in the straw of the barn playing with the animal's fur, the Boss's son's wife wandered in. At first Leonie refused to speak to her for fear that George might not let him feed the rabbits when they finally got their farm but the girl was able to make him feel at ease. She even let Leonie stroke her long, soft hair. After a while she tried to pull away, but Leonie unexplainable held on, he was confused and frightened when the girl started to scream. He began to shake her to make her stop. However, in his panic, the innocent but powerful Leonie broke the woman's neck.

She too had a dream, the one of one day becoming a famous actress, that has now come to an abrupt end. After learning of the disastrous news, George grabbed a gun to join the other men who by now had been turned Into a revenge-seeking mob by Curler, the woman's husband. Curler was determined to hunt down Leonie, who he considers to be a hulking, simple- harassers whose dream is not mentioned and he is the one represented as a truly sardonic being and he is the main character hindering the pursuit of the dream. Fortunately, it was George who found Leonie, trembling with fear, hiding among the bushes by the stream.

George too was fearful of what Curler would do to Leonie when he found him. For the final time George solemnly recounted the story of the farm for Leonie. As Leonie gazed out over the river, George aimed the gun at the back of his devoted friend's head, and pulled the trigger. Of Mice and Men puts in play two main characters and quite a few secondary ones ho have the dream of one day owning a few acres of land on which they will grow their own food and tend their own livestock and becoming stars of their own lives. The dream, unglamorous as it may seem, is the lifelong goal that these individuals are striving for.

It gives a meaning and a motivation to the lives of the characters as well as a way to keep hope that there is a better life waiting for them down the road. Leonie, as well as George, needs constant reassurance that the dream will effectively come true, as the story itself is repeated a mere dozen times throughout the novel. PUP) "Someday we're goanna live get the Jack together have a little house and a couple of acres an' a cow and some pigs - An' live off the fat the land". It is the symbol of a paradise for men who want to be masters of their own lives.

The farm represents the possibility of freedom, self-reliance, and protection from the cruelties of the world. This relatively simple dream is seen by one as a perfectly attainable goal that does not imply any surrealistic actions to achieve. Why then does it fail? The "American Dream" as presented by John Steinbeck is, however, unattainable. PUP) " I seen hundreds of men come by on the road an' on the ranches, with their bindle's on their back an' that same damn thing in their heads.... Every damn one of 'me's got a little piece of land in his head. An' never a God damn one of 'me never gets it. Just like heaven....

Nobody never gets to heaven, and nobody gets no land. It's just in their head. ' Steinbeck view is perfectly illustrated through Crook's statement, the one black ranch hand on the farm. There are always various obstacles that are put in the path of the characters making the dream unattainable. The most table barriers confronting this dream are Lien's disability and society itself. It is because of Lien's mental deficiencies that both George and Leonie are constantly on the run. They therefore do not have the possibility to settle in any given place and work for any extended period of time.

Hence they are unable to make the amount of money that is required to attain the dream. Society is also portrayed as a hurdle that one must overcome to achieve happiness through the "American Dream". This statement is nonetheless paradoxical considering that society encourages the hashing of the "Dream" even though it does not assist anyone who dares take on its pursuit. There is also the hostile attitude of different members of society to the dreamers, exploiting them rather that helping them. In our novel, it is society that refuses to offer any help for Leonie but instead tries to eliminate the problem by liquidating it.

This is only one example of society hindering an individual's attempts to fulfill his ambition. In this novel, Steinbeck shows that loyalty and a sense of family to their getting fired, George stays by his side. George could easily have achieved the ream if it had not been for Leonie. Even though he desperately wants to keep this new Job, George, remembering his previous experiences, makes sure that he and Leonie agree on a place to hide in the eventuality that something should go wrong. As much as the dream means to George, he wants to realize it with Leonie. Pl 5) "If you Jus' happen to get in trouble like you always done before, I want you to come right here an' hide in the brush. " One message that is conveyed is that if you don't care about someone or have someone with whom to share things, life does not have such meaning. (PUP) A conversation with Slim: " I hardly never seen two guys ever travel together. You know how hands are, they Just come in and get their bunk and work a month, and then they quit and go out alone. Never seem to give a damn about nobody. "(PUP) " I anti got no people. I seen the guys that go around on the ranches alone. That anti no good....

They get wanting' to fight all the time. " Steinbeck fills Of Mice and Men with struggling and bewildered heroes; common souls caught up in tragic combats as they innocently pursue the elusive promise of America. The novel's tragic and ironic ending exposes Steinbeck concerns for equality and happiness of all members of the human family. These privileges are explicitly cited in the declaration of independence. "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. However Steinbeck believes that those rights have slowly been forgotten. This is how the author of Of Mice and Men views the "American Dream"; as an unattainable mirage hat only causes pain and suffering. The barriers are always too great to overcome. Even though George knew of the improbability of achieving his dream, he still pushed forward. (PUP) I think I endowed from the very first. I think I endowed we'd never do her. He just like to hear about it so much I got to thinking we would. ""A Raisin in the Sun" conveys a far different message from Of Mice and Men. The play opens as the Younger family anxiously awaits the arrival of a check.

It is the life insurance check of ten thousand dollars, made payable to Lena (Mama) Younger, the head of the should, because of the death of her husband. The entire family lives within the walls of a tiny apartment and the play takes place entirely in its worn out, lived-in living room. When the check finally arrives, the family tells her to do what she pleases with the money. Walter irrationally urges Mama to give him the money to accomplish his dream of owning a liquor store but Mama refuses. Mama tells the family that she put a down payment on a house in Clubhouse Park with the insurance money.

Walter is upset and wonders why he can never be the one in charge of all actions. The entire family is concerned about the location because it is an all white neighborhood. While Mama is gone, Karl Lender, a white businessman and representative of the Clubhouse Park Welcoming Committee comes to the Younger household and offers to pay them off so that they will not move into the house. They throw him out and later tell Mama. Mama listens to Walter's pleas to put him in charge of the remainder of the money and decides to give it to him. Part of it must go to Beneath medical school fund, but he may keep the rest.

Later on, Boob, one of the men with whom Walter Lee was planning to go into business, comes to the house. He announces that deposited it in the bank and has lost his father's money forever. The entire family is outraged and deeply hurt. Walter decides to call Mr.. Lender over to accept his offer. Mama and Ruth, Walter Lee's wife, cannot believe that Walter would sell his soul and his pride for money. However, upon Lender's arrival, Walter Lee transforms into a mature man of pride and miraculously tells Lender that his family cannot be bought. Ultimately, the Younger move out of the apartment, fulfilling the family's long-held ream.

Lorraine Handlebar's view of the "American Dream" is the complete opposite of John Steinbeck. Throughout her play she stresses perseverance and belief in one's self. This piece shows that those two qualities guarantee success and happiness even though it may not be in the form that they were hoping for. (PUP) "You see, this little liquor store we got in mind... " Walter Lee, for one, was striving to own a liquor store and to better provide for his family. All the family members in this play have their own personal dreams that ultimately are of relatively minor importance.

Even though Walter Lee's dream is not immediately fulfilled, we do get the impression that it will eventually come true. His dream of providing a good shelter for his family is realized albeit through a different path than the one that he had originally envisaged. It is not the means whereby the dream is attained but the actual accomplishment that carries the utmost importance. In the final analysis, the home has far more importance than any of the individual dreams, for it unites the family. Only an outcome of that amplitude would allow each individual to postpone his or her individual goals.

For this black family, the idea of the "American Dream" is also the attainment of equal rights that were at that time still being questioned. Home ownership was a powerful symbol for blacks. Regardless of the color of their skin and the discrimination that they face, they could envisage a comfortable safe place to live, where they had total liberty to do what they wanted to because they are no longer indebted to someone else. They had the same dreams and aspirations as anyone. What is the importance of dreams? We can find the answer to that question in Longs Hughes poem entitled " Dreams".

Hold fast to dreams, For if dreams die, Life is a broadening bird, That cannot fly. Hold fast to dreams, For when dreams go, Life is a barren field, Frozen with snow. " do shrivel up like "a raisin in the sun". This poem, whose author greatly influenced Loraine Handlebars in the writing of her play, perfectly illustrates the meaning of dreams. They are a driving force in everyone's lives and must be present to lead a meaningful existence. In both pieces of literature the authors use dreams as driving forces in the lives of the characters. The final outcome is the only difference in each f the novels.

For one it is only an illusion: therefore leading to disappointment and disruption. Other authors whose view goes in the same direction and is even more radical are Arthur Miller whose Wily (Death of a Salesman) actually commits suicide, and Scott Fitzgerald (Great Gatsby) whose leading character is murdered and then buried alone to be forgotten by most. For the other it is something that is worth pursuing even though it may be very hard or nearly impossible to achieve. The dream of happiness is considered by many as the true synonym of the "American Dream".

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The American Dream In John Steinbeck's novel Example | GraduateWay

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This dream Is fueled by the hope of one day leading a happy and prosperous life in a land that, more than NY other country, allows the people the chance to "write the script of their own lives". The American Dream became the idea of an individual overcoming all obstacles and beating all odds to one day be successful.

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John Steinbeck’s novel “Of Mice and Men” is linked to the American Dream. The American Dream is the idea that in America, success can be achieved by anyone as long as they work hard for it. “This is linked to the United States Declaration of Independence which states that “all men are created equal”. In the novel, George and Lennie have a dream that gives them hope, which drives them to work hard so they can attain their dream and be rewarded. Another character in the book, Curley’s wife, had a dream to be a film star, but she had false hope that it would actually come true. But that false hope she has distracts her from the unhappiness in her life.

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The theme of dreams is introduced at the start of the book through George's description to Lennie of the farm that they hope one day to own together. They continue to discuss this throughout the text, with Candy also becoming involved and making it finally seem possible. This dream is very important to the men because it represents freedom and having control over their own lives, which they do not have while moving around looking for work.

Dreams in Of Mice and Men are linked to the 'American Dream'. This is the idea that in America, it is possible for anyone to achieve success and improve their lives through hard work. This is linked to the United States Declaration of Independence which states that 'all men are created equal'. For the men on the ranch in Of Mice and Men , having dreams gives them some hope that their hard work will be rewarded. Curley's wife also has a dream - to be a film star - and although she no longer has any real hope that this could come true, it gives her a distraction from the unhappiness of her life, which is also true of dreams for the other characters.

Although dreams are initially a source of hope in the book, Lennie's death makes his and George's dream impossible so as the novel ends, we see that even simple, modest dreams are unattainable in the harsh environment of America during the Great Depression.

How is the theme of dreams shown in the book?

In Of Mice and Men , Steinbeck explores dreams through:

George and Lennie's dream.

Candy and Crooks turning to George and Lennie's dream as a way of escaping the hardships in their lives.

Curley's wife's failed dream.

The end of George and Lennie's dream (which is also the end of Candy's dream).

George and Lennie's dream

How does Steinbeck show this?

George recites the dream to Lennie like a story, which suggests that they don't really believe in it, even though the things they are dreaming of are quite modest.
Sure," said George. "All kin's a vegetables in the garden, and if we want a little whisky we can sell a few eggs or something, or some milk. We'd jus' live there. We'd belong there. There wouldn't be no more runnin' round the country and gettin' fed by a Jap cook. No, sir, we'd have our own place where we belonged and not sleep in no bunk house.
All George and Lennie are really hoping for is described here: a place where they feel they belong and do not have to leave. These are the things that are missing from their lives, showing that the reason they need the dream is to have some hope that their lives may improve. However, despite the simplicity of their dream, the way that George recounts this like a bed-time story or folk tale suggests that it will never really come true and they need to talk about it as a comfort rather than as a real plan.

Candy and Crooks' wish to be involved in the dream

How does Steinbeck show this?

Both Candy and Crooks ask to be involved in George and Lennie's dream as a way of trying to escape from the isolation of their difficult lives on the ranch.
[Candy] said miserably, [Crooks] hesitated. ...If you... guys would want a hand to work for nothing-just his keep, why I'd come an' lend a hand. I ain't so crippled I can't work like a son-of-a-bitch if I want to. You seen what they done to my dog tonight? They says he wasn't no good to himself nor nobody else. When they can me here I wisht somebody'd shoot me. But they won't do nothing like that. I won't have no place to go, an' I can't get no more jobs.
Candy asks George and Lennie if he can be a part of their plan to buy their own farm because he feels like he does not have a value on the ranch as he is ageing and will be unable to continue working. Like George and Lennie, he aspires to have somewhere he belongs and a permanent home. Crooks also wants to escape his miserable life on the ranch and sees George and Lennie's dream as his only opportunity for this. On the ranch, Crooks is isolated and continually experiences racism. Both Crooks and Candy see the dream as a way out of their otherwise inescapable unhappiness. However, Crooks immediately realises how futile this hope is and Candy understands at the end of the book that it was never really possible.

Curley's wife's dream

How does Steinbeck show this?

It is not only the men on the ranch who have dreams; Curley's wife also has hopes for a better future. She tells Lennie that she married Curley after her plans of becoming a movie star fell through.
I tell you I ain't used to livin' like this. I coulda made somethin' of myself." She said darkly, "Maybe I will yet." And then her words tumbled out in a passion of communication, as though she hurried before her listener could be taken away. "I lived right in Salinas," she said. "Come there when I was a kid. Well, a show come through, an' I met one of the actors. He says I could go with that show. But my ol' lady wouldn' let me. She says because I was on'y fifteen. But the guy says I coulda. If I'd went, I wouldn't be livin' like this, you bet.
Curley's wife is focused on how her life could have been if she had been an actress, showing how her dream is a type of escapism for her. Curley's wife's dream is different to George and Lennie's because hers is grander; however, the dreams are similar in that the characters rely on them as a way of coping with the difficulties in their lives.

The end of the dream

How does Steinbeck show this?

George and Lennie's dream is impossible once Lennie has killed Curley's wife. Without Lennie, George cannot envision himself carrying on, and he realises that the dream was never really possible. This represents the hopelessness of men like them.
George said softly, Crooks was scornful. I seen hunderds of men come by on the road an' on the ranches, with their bindles on their back an' that same damn thing in their heads. Hunderds of them. They come, an' they quit an' go on; an' every damn one of 'em's got a little piece of land in his head. An' never a God damn one of 'em ever gets it. -I think I knowed from the very first. I think I knowed we'd never do her. He usta like to hear about it so much I got to thinking maybe we would.
Crooks' comments remind the reader of how George and Lennie's dream is not unusual for men like them: many others are also dreaming of a better life. This is linked to the idea of the American Dream as they believe that by working hard and saving up, they will be able to achieve the success they hope for. However, George realises at the end of the novel that his plans with Lennie really were just a dream; they would never have come true. This suggests that the dreams that men like them held during this period in America were hopeless.

How does Steinbeck explore the theme of dreams in Of Mice and Men ?

George and Lennie's dream gives them hope throughout the novel, but this is seen at the end to be ultimately as there was never really a chance of it coming true.

Candy and Crooks also turn to George and Lennie's dream as a way of escaping their difficult and unhappy lives, at least temporarily.

Curley's wife continues to think about her previous aspirations of becoming a movie star as a way of coping with her loneliness and isolation on the ranch.

Overall, Steinbeck seems to suggest that the American Dream was hopeless for men like George and Lennie.

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Dreams - Themes - GCSE English Literature Revision - BBC Bitesize

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The theme of dreams is introduced at the start of the book through George's description to Lennie of the farm that they hope one day to own together. They continue to discuss this throughout the text, with Candy also becoming involved and making it finally seem possible.

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Importance of Dreams in "Of Mice and Men"

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Importance of Dreams in "Of Mice and Men"

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In human nature, it’s normal to have dreams and hopes for the future. Sometimes, it can be something to fantasize about. But sometimes dreams can be more complex than other dreams, and can’t be reached. “The dream apparently began as just a story that George told Lennie, perhaps as a way of calming Lennie down, or to keep him focused on working, but after some time, it seemed that George started to believe in the dream himself.” George and Lennie’s Dream was to one day buy a couple of acres of land and live there so they could do what they want whenever. While they were working for their dream, they ran into some problems and ended up not being able to reach their dream.

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In this essay I am going to describe the dream that George and Lennie share and how the ideas of the American dream is explored in 'Of Mice and Men' The title, Of Mice and Men, came from the saying "The best laid plans of mice and men often go astray and leave us nothing but pain for what might have been". This is such a well-chosen name for the novel because it explains the factors leading to the characters' dreams. The novel was written during the Great Depression of 1930 in the USA. It tells the tragic story of George and Lennie, two displaced Anglo itinerant farm workers in California during the Great Depression (1929-1939). The story is set on a ranch, a few miles from Soledad in the Salinas Valley. In the following essay I will also explain their dreams and show how they plan to fulfil these dreams. Near the end I will clarify what finally happens to their dreams.

It is human nature to have dreams, or the hopes one has for the future. Even dreams that are never accomplished are good, because they keep people going on when they normally would have given up. Dreams are something to look forward to, something to fantasize about. A dream is something one indulges in, to escape momentarily from life. In the book, Of Mice and Men, dreams are what every character seems to be craving. In George and Lennie's case, that something is land. It is natural for men in their situation, itinerant workers in the Great Depression, to imagine working on their own land and being their own bosses. Their dream is simple in some ways yet very complex in others.

The dream apparently began as just a story that George told Lennie, perhaps as a way of calming Lennie down, or to keep him focused on working, but after some time, it seemed that George started to believe in the dream himself. George's dream, although it was basically the same as Lennie's, is probably more detailed and complicated and Candy, Crooks and Curley's wife, who although possess dreams, either have no one to share them with or have no hopes of ever reaching them. Everyone can dream but clearly, the ability to dream is inextricably tied to having someone to share that dream with.

What is George's American dream

Lennie and George have a dream, which they have thought out very thoroughly. 'We gotta get a big stake together', this conveys that their dream is to make a stake, around 'six hundred dollars'. With this stake they plan to buy a piece of land, 'a couple of acres'. On this piece of land they could 'have a little house...an' a cow and some pigs'. They also say 'We'll have a big vegetable patch and a rabbit-hutch and chickens'. They could do anything they wanted on this land because they would be their own bosses. However, I believe that in chapter 6 George is describing Heaven to Lennie, rather than the little farm.

Lennie thinks as far as feeding and petting the rabbits 'Le's do it now', but George thinks about the details of the plan, such as how they would earn enough money, what things they would grow, and the possibility of actually living off the land. Yet this is what they thought, the dream gradually vanished throughout the novel. The author, John Steinbeck, illustrates this vanished dram through a series of incidents involving Lennie and his interactions with other characters in the novel. It all started with the incident in Weed where Lennie had to 'feel a girl's dress' and she cried out that he was 'raping' her. George and Lennie had to hide in a cesspool while men went looking for them. This made George very cautious of Lennie's actions and was disappointed to have to run away.

Lennie later, a few miles south of Soledad by the Salinas River, killed a mouse. 'Jus' a dead mouse, George. I didn't kill it. Honest! I found it. I found it dead', this conveys that Lennie is ashamed at having disappointed George. However George isn't pleased 'Give it here!' this conveys George as quite an overpowering person and very demanding because 'Lennie's closed hand slowly obeyed'. The reader, at this stage, would take this as foreshadowing for events later in the book.

Lennie's next unfortunate incident was with Curley when 'Curley stepped over to Lennie like a terrier'. It wasn't Lennie's fault because George yelled 'Get 'im, Lennie!' Lennie reached for Curley's fist as it was swinging and crushed it. 'Curley was flopping like a fish on a line'. This had an effect on their dream and could have put a stop to it because Curley is the boss's son and he could get them sacked and make it very difficult for George to keep Lennie out of prison. But luckily Slim keeps the chances of the dream alive, for the meantime, by stepping in. 'I think you got you han' caught in a machine' this suggests that Slim has a lot of authority between the other itinerant workers.

The reader gets the impression that something unforgivable might happen soon because Lennie has killed an animal and now seriously injured a human. In addition, he next kills a pup that Slim gave him. 'Why do you got to get killed? You ain't so little as mice. I didn't bounce you hard.' This conveys Lennie to be a caring person but it's his obsession to pet things that ruins it for him.

Lennie's dream is to 'tend the rabbits', when George gets 'the little house'. But his incompetence with petting things disintegrates his dream when Curley's Wife asks Lennie to feel her hair. 'Feel right aroun' there an' see how soft it is.' The reader was given many warnings throughout the novel. 'Lennie was in a panic', this suggests he wasn't entirely focused on what he was doing and didn't mean to kill Curley's Wife, like when he held on to the girl's dress. 'Lennie's other hand closed over her mouth and nose'. But with this action comes a consequence 'Lennie had broken her neck'. Lennie ruined it for something that wasn't his entire fault. This was a kind killing for which to put Lennie out of his misery. Even after numerous people tell them that their dream won't come true they don't listen. Lennie accidentally kills Curley's Wife and because of this most of the people on the ranch want Lennie dead.

All Lennie ever wanted was to look after things but in the end George has to kill Lennie, using a painless but more dignified way than the alternatives. He asks Lennie 'Look acrost the river, Lennie, an' I'll tell you so you can almost see it', when Lennie asks about the dream. As Lennie's head is facing down the river, where it all began, George pulls out 'Carlson's Luger'. George describes the dream all over again to Lennie, knowing that it will not happen. He struggles when Lennie says 'Me an' you.' George answers with 'You....an' me. Ever'body gonna be nice to you. Ain't gonna be no trouble. Nobody gonna hurt nobody nor steal from 'em.' This conveys George to be very sentimental about his dream and that he still wants it even though Lennie will no longer be part of it. 'Lennie jarred'. This doesn't put an end to George, Candy and Crooks' dreams and the hope of achieving the American Dream, it just delays them till they make enough money.

The fact that Curley's wife is not given a name foreshadows her own isolation. In fact, probably the reason why she is not given a name is because she is totally hidden from the world and nobody knows her as anyone else. She is always referred to as Curley's wife, a ghost to the world. This emphasizes her complete isolation form the rest of the characters in the novel. She is a character without a single drop of sympathy shown towards her and she can be vicious, which adds to more characters trying to avoid her. She is a victim of an empty life, and a meaningless one.

She has wonderful dreams of being a Hollywood star, but all her dreams are crushed by the insensitivity towards her shown by the other characters. Her dream to be a Hollywood star is a bit naïve because not many people become movie stars, especially in the 1930s. It sounds very much like she was getting manipulated at the club where she met 'the star' and because of this she is forever isolated on a ranch to live out her days as a salve to loneliness. But to top the big burden of loneliness on her, she discovers that her husband "ain't a nice fella," and that there is no one to care for her.

She also dreams of being accepted 'Ain't I got a right to talk to nobody? Whatta they think I am anyways?' this makes the reader feel the sorrow of this woman whose dreams have been smashed to smithereens. The American Dream, at this point, probably doesn't sound like it is going to happen. 'Hard work can lead to a better life', Curley's Wife is working hard to make friends and to be accepted for the only woman on the ranch. Instead of something to call her own, she wants fame 'a show come through, an' I met one of the actors. He says I could go with the show'. Her dream of fame is more modern like a 20th century dream of fame rather than a 1930s dream of fame. She also wants fortune and admiration 'Nother time I met a guy....He says he was gonna put me in the movies. Says I was a natural. But with all this sudden faith comes her downfall 'Soon's he got back to Hollywood he was gonna write to me about it...I never got that letter.' This shows that Curley's Wife had high hopes of achieving things just like the other characters.

It is important to keep dreams alive, even if they are unrealistic. Her dreams come to an abrupt halt when she makes the biggest mistake of her life by letting Lennie touch her hair. 'Let go...You let go'. This ends with her getting killed. Curley's wife shares her secret dream of being a performer with Lennie, only to have that dream shattered, quite similar to her neck. She is not a storybook wife, and that is what Curley wants. Curley's Wife's dream is in a matter of fact, hopeless because it is a very naïve dream. Not many people get success like that and for the people who do, great sadness comes.

Steinbeck uses characterization, 'a tall, stoop-shouldered old man' and 'He pointed with his right arm, and out of the sleeve came a round stick-like wrist, but no hand.' to build up the description of Candy so well that the reader feels the isolation and loneliness of which Candy experiences every day. Candy is an old, physically disabled swamper who has worked on the ranch for a good majority of his life. While working on the ranch a few years ago, Candy got into an accident which resulted in the loss of one of his hands. This unfortunate accident left him a little bit of money and a whole lot of loneliness.

Candy, in many ways symbolizes his dog, which was shot by Carlson. His notion backfired because not only did he lose his best friend, he gained nothing but heartache from it. 'Candy looked for help from face to face' but he let Carlson kill his dog in hopes that the other workers would then give him the friendship and loyalty that his dog had provided him for years 'Candy looked a long time at Slim to try to find some reversal...At last Candy said softly and hopelessly: "awright - take 'im"'. His sadness is showed when 'he did not even look down at the dog at all. He lay back on his bunk and crossed his arms behind his head and stared at the ceiling.' He is often afraid of losing his job, as well as his whole life. While Lennie had George and the ranchers had each other, Candy did not have anybody and this put him in a condition of sorrow and depression. If you were to take him out and shoot him right in the back of the head. "I ought to of shot that dog myself, George.

George, Lennie's best friend shot him in the back of the head. Candy decided enough was enough and wanted to join George and Lennie in their quest to achieve their dream. 'S'pose I went in with you guys...How'd that be?' this suggests that he may only be on his last few years but would happily spend it somewhere else, except the ranch. This is Candy's attempt to find an important place in life again. He wishes to join Lennie and George's pursuit of the American dream. Candy keeps pushing George to let him be part of the dream 'How much they want for a place like that?' Even though George looks at him 'suspiciously' he carries on trying to worm his way into it. 'Tha's three hundred an' fifty bucks I'd put in'. What person can refuse an offer like that? George obviously wants to fulfill his dream, with out anyone slowing it down 'I gotta think about that.' But Candy makes the dream feel so close for George, that George can't resist 'I'd make a will an' leave my share to you guys in case I kick off'. This all started off the belief that it 'was coming true'. But like George, Lennie and Curley's Wife his dream doesn't last long either. Lennie ruins it for George, which ruins it for Candy.

Candy's American dream

Candy's disappointment is expressed in the bitter words he utters to the body of Curley's wife, whom he blames for spoiling his dream. 'You an' me can get that little place, can't we, George?' this conveys Candy's disappointment that just because of one man his hopes of happiness go with him. 'Candy dropped his head' and 'He sniveled and his voice shook. These convey Candy to be a very sensitive, old man, showing is disappointment and frustration that he may end up dying lonely on the ranch or the streets. 'I could of hoed in the garden and washed dishes for them guys.' This suggests to the reader that Candy may never find the American Dream in his lifetime and will forever be 'a lonely, old swamper'. Candy is obviously not happy with his life on the ranch, but he doesn't think that there is anything that he can do. His old partner on the pea fields, Bill Tenner, achieved his dream of getting his letter printed in a magazine; something Whit seems envious about 'What you want me to read that for?' Candy's dream does have some hope in it because he is still alive and has quite a bit of money. He also has George to help him out. In addition he may only have one hand put all you need is one hand to live happily. However, in many ways his dream is hopeless because it has now been delayed by the killing of Lennie and the loss of an income of money. Candy is also very old and could be coming near to an end.

Perhaps one of the least dominant dreams in the story, yet one of the saddest is Crooks' dream of no longer being alone, a dream of having friends in a land divided by racism. Crooks is a black stable worker. He is disfigured due to an accident when he was a young man. He has a place of his own and stays there by himself. He doesn't want company. He also briefly wants to be part of George and Lennie's dream. He said that he would work for free '...If you...guys would want a hand to work for nothing - just his keep, why I'd come an' lend a hand'. His sudden pauses in what he says show that he is nervous because of what he is and who he is. He isn't quite sure if the world is ready to accept him yet. He gives up on the farm dream when he realizes it isn't going to work out. He is the only one who understands Lennie, besides George, and befriends him. All Crooks ever wanted was equality but he doesn't even get this because he is just too different to the other ranchers, according to the 1930s. Crooks keeps a 'mauled copy of the California civil code for 1905' next to his bunk because even though he is not treated fairly, he knows his rights.

For Crooks, the American Dream would be a nice change to his loneliness, making him feel accepted. Crooks is a black man that experiences isolation because the society in which he resides is racist. As a result, 'A guy goes nuts if he ain't got anybody. Don't matter any difference who the guy is, longs he with you. I tell ya a guy gets too lonely an he gets sick' was his means of finding a personal connection to Lennie. Like Lennie, Crooks has a 'relationship' with loneliness. He knows that when people get lonely, they tend to get sick. In some ways Crooks' dream is hopeless and isn't hopeless because in 1930 even though people hated black people, Crooks' found a friend in George and Lennie. It wasn't until 1960 that black people finally got understood by help from the Civil Right Movement, led by Martin Luther King.

What is Curley's American dream

Curley also has a dream that lots of 'short people' have, to be bigger. Curley seems very bitter about being short, and he tries to make himself out to be the tough guy on the ranch. 'Well, nex' time you answer when you're speaking to.' This suggests that Curley thinks he has a lot of authority, being the boss' son, but being short has its disadvantages because all the people he picks fights with on the ranch are always bigger than him, 'Curley's like a lot of little guys. He hates big guys. He's all time picking scraps with big guys'. His wife is the only negative aspect to his dream. The American Dream doesn't really correspond to Curley because he isn't one of the representative characters, like George and Lennie the itinerant workers and Curley's Wife the only women and Crooks the black stable buck and Candy the old swamper.

Dreams can build one up with hope and excitement, but they can also tear one down with disappointment at the dream failing to come true. Curley picks a fight with Lennie, and the main reason for this is Lennie's size. Curley's dream is in many ways hopeless because no one can determine how high someone will turn out. Curley will just have to deal with being small. In addition, in many ways, it is more of an advantage being small.

What does John Steinbeck think about the American dream?

In conclusion, the American Dream is really a creation of everyone's imagination, except for those lucky few who strike it rich or win the lottery. "I never got that letter," she said. That was their American Dream, one which didn't come true. To put it shorter, even though the American Dream doesn't always mean true happiness, it's nice to have hope sometimes.

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Importance of dreams in of Mice and Men - American Dream Project

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In this essay I am going to describe the dream that George and Lennie share and how the ideas of the American dream is explored in 'Of Mice and Men' The title, Of Mice and Men, came from the saying "The best laid plans of mice and men often go...

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