The American Dream In 'Of Mice And Men'

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Darius Washington September 23, 2013 Ms. Bush Advanced Composition The American Dream: Of Mice and Men The American Dream is the main theme throughout the novel, Of Mice and Men. Many people have different concepts of what an American Dream really is. During different time periods the American Dream’s definition changes, depending on the person. Somebody that is early to mid-sixty’s may have a different Dream concept than somebody like my grandmother who is ninety. Somehow though, there is a similarity in most people’s dreams regardless of when they lived. Most people’s dream includes being healthy, being around family more, and just being plain happy. In the novel Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck , each character has a different…show more content…
George and Lennie had the dream to live on a farm with nobody over them and play with rabbits. “O.K someday- we’re gonna get the jack together and we’re gonna have a little house and a couple of acres and a cow and some pigs and…” ‘An’ live off the fatta the lan’ “We’ll have a big vegetable patch and a rabbit-hunch and chickens, And when it rains in the winter we’ll just say the hell with goin’ to work, and we’ll build up the fire in the stove and set around it an’ listen to the rain comin’ down on the roof.” (Steinbeck 14-15). This quote paints the picture the dream of them having their own land and living independently. Also from this quote they explain how they will take care of their farm animals. Lennie can not wait to live the Dream of leaving the farm they are working and buy their own farm. Candy and Crooks believe that George and Lennie will achieve this dream so they decide to join these two on achieving that Dream. George and Lennie’s dream appeals to Candy and Crooks because it is everything that they want and wish to achieve. They are continuing to help George and Lennie with this dream because this dream, they see that it can be achieved soon. George, Lennie, and Candy’s dream is destroyed by Lennie’s ignorance and Lennie’s uncontrollable strength. When Lennie is in a bad situation, for instance, when he wanted to touch the girl’s dress and she screamed Lennie panics and does not know…show more content…
Unsatisfied by her surly husband, she constantly sneaks around the barn, trying to make the workers conversate with her. Curley’s wife dream was to be a Hollywood actress but this dream is unreachable due to her ruling husband. She imagines how great it would be to stay in nice hotels, own lots of beautiful clothes, and have people want to take her photograph. Curly is so overprotective and will not let her do anything unless he approves it which really rarely happens. For her to reach this dream she has to have more freedom from Curly or just leave him. If she really wanted to achieve this dream she would have left Curly long time ago but maybe she has the mindset that this dream would never be conquered. The American dream can be reached with a little bit of effort and hardwork. Being in the right place at the right place at the right time and working causes goals to be reached. Is the American dream wishing for something or working to achieve that particular goal? Wishing for something you may never achieve, is possible but will most likely not become a reality. However, wishing for something that is within your grasp is what I believe the American Dream to
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