Comparing The American Dream In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

Words: 1129
Pages: 5
Open Document
Although most dreams die, Gail Devers once said, “Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication.” In the novella Of Mice and Men, written by John Steinbeck, George and Lennie struggled to achieve their dreams. They acquired new jobs at a ranch where they met several people who were also in the process of achieving their dreams or had already failed to do so. Having a dream has negatively impacted all of the characters’ lives. Lennie ended up dying, Curley’s wife was unhappy, and Candy was devastated. By ending the story the way he did, Steinbeck commented on how it is nearly impossible to achieve the American dream because the fulfillment of a person’s dreams almost always rely on …show more content…
Go on, George! Tell about what we’re gonna have in the garden and about the rabbits in the cages. . .” (14). His emphasis, shown by italics, and his reiteration of rabbits displayed how important they were to him and how much he yearned to tend them. It soon became Lennie’s only focus because George said that if Lennie gets into trouble, George will not allow him to look after the bunnies (16). Because being able to do so was important to him, Lennie took extreme measures to get himself out of trouble later on in the story. Whenever Lennie was in trouble, he started experiencing distress. In one instance when he got into a fight with Curley, he worried about whether or not he would still be able to care for the rabbits and asks, “I can still tend the rabbits, George?” (65). Even though he suffered multiple blows from Curley, all he could think about was if George will let him see to the rabbits. By caring more about his dream than his well-being, Lennie demonstrated how fixated his dream has made him. Later, Lennie accidentally killed a puppy, became mad, and asks the dead puppy, “God damn you. Why do you got to get killed? You ain’t so little
Show More

Related Documents: Comparing The American Dream In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

Comparing The American Dream In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

The American dream If there was one word to define the American dream, it would be happiness. The American dream means controlling day to day responsibilities while aspiring for a greater future. Steinbeck writes how the American dream symbolized a piece of land and rabbits in Of Mice and Men. Today, many economists believe that the percentage of kids passing their parents economically has decreased. Others believe that the definition of the American dream has changed over the time. From owning…

Words 914 - Pages 4

Comparing The American Dream In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

What exactly is the american dream? Is it owning a sports car or having lots of money? Or is it accomplishing goals and being truly happy? In Of Mice and Men John SteinBeck shows the american dream as it was and that was to own your own land and to be successful. Throughout the story Lennie and George are talking about their dream. That dream was to own a farm by themselves. Lennie dreamed of all the rabbits he could tend to and George encouraged him to dream. If they had their own land then they…

Words 253 - Pages 2

Comparing The American Dream In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

For most, the thought of achieving their dreams provides hope and stability, but for others the impossibility of acquiring it is detrimental. The Great Depression was a time in which the American dream was as simple as having a job or an education. The old portrayal of the great American dream may seem silly to the modern day society; but for those living during that time period, this dream was everything. It provided a way to get through the day and live a better life than they would have if…

Words 964 - Pages 4

Comparing The American Dream In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

In the book, Of Mice and Men written by John Steinbeck during 1930s, the theme of book is the American Dream. The American Dream is the opportunity to achieve prosperity through hard work. The main characters are George Milton and Lennie Small, their American Dream is to own their own farm, but does not go as planned. In the book, Steinbeck’s message regarding the American Dream is, even if you may work really hard sometimes the dream will not come true. In the book Steinbeck to says, "I seen hundreds…

Words 513 - Pages 3

Comparing The American Dream In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

to think, before the ball was in the back of the net. Everyone has a dream, along with George and Lennie in the novel Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck. All they want is a happy life, and piece of land. The American Dream is prevalent in the novel because people don’t always get what they dream of in the unfair world of challenges. Living life can be hard, when you have dreams that may never…

Words 699 - Pages 3

Comparing The American Dream In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

In Of Mice and Men, the American Dream is far from attainable. The hope being crushed from all members of the ranch who have given up and lost their ambitions. George and Lennie may have a dream and desires, but they are not living the American dream. George and Lennie's dream is not to live under someone else. However, under circumstances their independence is unrealistic, making their dream unattainable. In order to survive and live, George and Lennie have to settle for living and working…

Words 201 - Pages 1