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

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One of the main themes throughout the novel, Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, is “the dream” and its impact on people living during that time period. George and Lennie’s dream of having a farm and not having work for anyone. Candy wants to join George and Lennie after his dog dies and he realizes he has nothing else left for him. Curley’s wife talks about her acting dream, and how she believes her mother got in her way. George and Lennie are two companions that travel to ranches to work. They are trying to one day reach their dream of having their own farm. The “American Dream” is significant for everyone, especially these characters.
George and Lennie aspire to someday have their own land, and not have to ask permission for everything …show more content…
When Lennie is in the barn, and Curley’s wife comes, she decided to confide in Lennie. She starts to explain to Lennie how when she was younger she once met an actor in a show and that actor invited her to go on the show with them, but he mother did not let her join. She tells Lennie that, “[She] wouldn't be livin’ like this. . .” if she had went with them (Steinbeck 88). She thinks that if she had pursued her dream of acting she would be living glamorously compared to what the ranch is like. Being an actress was what she wanted out of life, but she was not able to accomplish her dreams because she thinks her mother ruined her life. Curley’s wife continues to tell Lennie about how she met another man who was in movies that said she was a natural actress. He told her he would mail her a letter from ok Hollywood, but she believes that her mother took the letter and tried to sabotage her dream. She thinks she, “coulda been in the movies. . .” but that probably was not even true. Her version of “The American Dream” has caused her sadness and not hope. She tells Lennie that Curley is not very kind. She had a goal, and did not reach it so she just married herself to a life on a ranch of desolation.
The American Dream gave hope to Americans across the nation, and inspired people to try and make for themselves the life they want. George and Lennie did not want to depend
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