Of Mice and Men and American Dream - 863 Words

Hopes and dreams are important in ‘Of Mice and Men.’ Not is it important to the characters of the story itself, it is the theme of the novel. In this essay I will talk about the hopes and dreams of the main ensemble and also about the context of the novel, the American Dream and the Great Depression on the 1930’s. I will also talk about the poem Steinbeck based the book’s title off and how important it is to the book’s overall theme. The dream of attaining land and – ultimately – happiness is one which motivates nearly every character. George often speaks to Lennie of a farm where the two of them can live in peace â€Å"an’ live off the fatta the lan’.† In these instances, at the novel’s opening and its ending, George is the accomplished†¦show more content†¦He is at ease with his situation, and by comparing the contrast of his state with the other characters, one can only assume that the others have their dreams because of their reluctance to accept that the world is a harsh place. Only the innocent can take comfort from dreams and with his childlike characteristics, Lennie represented innocence itself. His innocence influences the other characters, George most obviously. â€Å"(Lennie) usta like to hear about (getting the farm) so much,† reveals George near the end of the novel, â€Å"I got to thinking maybe we would.† That is why hope is so impor tant to the ‘Of Mice and Men’ characters. ‘Of Mice and Men’ is reflective of the time it was written, during the Great Depression of the 1930’s. Many Americans naively assumed that California was a place where one could start anew and own land. This dream for land and for untarnished happiness was called the American Dream. The reality was that many Californians were unemployed and struggling to even have bread on the table. Born in Salinas, California, in 1902, Steinbeck must have witnessed for himself the hopelessness of the American Dream. He wrote that Lennie’s â€Å"earthly longings †¦ was not to represent insanity at all but the inarticulate and powerful yearning of all men.† In saying that, he suggested that the dreams and hopes of the American people were pertinent to the novel. The title of the book itself implies how important dreams areShow MoreRelatedOf Mice and Men and the American Dream912 Words   |  4 PagesStienbeck’s novel â€Å"Of Mice and Men† is about the death of the American dream. George, Lennie and Candy’s dream is to own their own piece of land to work and live independently on. This dream is destroyed by Lennie’s ignorance and Lennie’s strength, which he cannot control. Curley’s wife’s dream is to be a famous Hollywood actress. Her dream is destroyed by her marriage to Curley and the Hollywood director who promised to contact her about her acting career but never has. Crook’s dream is for equality.Read MoreOf Mice And Men And The American Dream Theme756 Words   |  4 Pageshad no self courage, and especially, had dreams that seemed impossible. Of Mice and Men creates a world of gloom, sadness but also joy. The novella specifies many problems that the world had and still has in mod ern day. The novella is driven by a common theme that shows the flaws and strengths of the characters. The American Dream is an important theme in Of Mice and Men because it helps the characters look forward to a better future. Also, The American Dream makes the characters make important decisionsRead MoreOf Mice and Men: The Death of the American Dream1178 Words   |  5 Pages The Death of the American Dream The American Dream has always been one of the most prominent ideals in American society. Of Mice and Men was written by Steinbeck in 1937. It focuses on the lives of two men, Lennie and George, as they try to fulfill their own American Dream of owning a small farm. 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The American dream plays a role that makes each character more hard working and perseveredRead MoreThe American Dream In John Steinbecks Of Mice And Men804 Words   |  4 PagesDreams are meant to be dreamt but are never attained. In the riveting novella of Of Mice and Men, two â€Å"bindlestiffs†, George and Lennie (the protagonists), search for a job in Soledad, a small town not too far from Salinas, during the poverty-stricken era of the 1930s. During the 1930s, many â€Å"Okies†, unemployed and impecunious migrants from the Midwest, traveled to California in search of a dwelling and an occupation. All of them aspired to be wealthy and have all the fancy goods and chattels inRead MoreEssay on American Dreams and Its Depiction in `of Mice and Men.508 Words   |  3 PagesThe phrase `Of Mice and Men, was first used by James Truslow Adams in his book The Epic of America in 1931. The American Dream is a dream of a land in which life should be better, richer, fuller and with opportunity for each. It is a dream of social order in which each man and woman should be able to achieve the fullest stature of which they are capable of, and be recognized for what they are, regardless of the circumstances of birth or position. It ideally constitutes life, liberty,Read MoreThe American Dream in Steinbecks Of Mice and Men Essay2971 Words   |  12 PagesThe American Dream in Steinbecks Of Mice and Men Of Mice and Men is a story set during the 1930s America, this was a time when the great depression had hit the world. This novel was written by John Steinbeck who had based most of his work in the story location. The main aspect of this story evolves around the American dream, and how it is perceived by the characters. The American dream is an expression for everything great in life; it is based on a dream that has