John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men is a powerful novella. It explores themes of friendship, dreams and the harsh realities of life during the Great Depression. Steinbeck presents a poignant view of the American Dream through the lives of George and Lennie. He also examines loneliness. Furthermore, he explores the struggle for survival in an unforgiving and relentless depression-riddled America. This blog will explore how the American Dream shapes the characters’ hopes and ultimately leads to their disillusionment.

For a more comprehensive analysis of John Steinbeck’s representation of farm life during the Great Depression, read this article.

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Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about the theme of the American Dream in Of Mice and Men.

What is the American Dream in Of Mice and Men?

The American Dream in Of Mice and Men refers to George and Lennie’s aspiration to own a piece of land. They want to live independently. This dream symbolises freedom and security.

Why is the American Dream important in the novel?

The American Dream provides the characters with hope. It gives them a sense of purpose. However, Steinbeck ultimately portrays it as unattainable. This reflects the harsh economic and social realities of the time.

How does Steinbeck critique the American Dream?

Steinbeck critiques the American Dream. He shows how characters like George, Lennie, Candy and Crooks cannot achieve their dreams. Social and economic barriers prevent them from succeeding.

The American Dream in Of Mice and Men

The American Dream is a powerful theme in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men. It shapes the hopes and motivations of the novel’s main characters. George and Lennie’s dream of owning their own piece of land represents a desire for freedom. It also signifies self-sufficiency during the Great Depression. This was a time when many Americans were struggling to survive. However, as Steinbeck masterfully shows, this dream is often unattainable, especially for those at the bottom of society’s hierarchy.

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The Dream of George and Lennie

At the heart of Of Mice and Men is the friendship between George and Lennie. Both characters dream of a better life. They long for a place where they can be free from the grinding demands of ranch work. They also want freedom from the constant threat of unemployment. Their vision of owning a small farm embodies independence. It symbolises hope and security. For George, this dream represents control over his own destiny. For Lennie, it’s a place where he can tend rabbits. He can also be safe from the dangers of the world around him.

Steinbeck portrays this dream as not just an ideal but also a means of survival – an aspirational endeavour. It helps them get through the tough times they face as ranch workers. However, the dream is fragile, as we see when the harsh realities of their world begin to shatter it. By the end of the novel, it’s clear that their dream was always an illusion. It reflects the broader myth of the American Dream.

The Broader Implications of the American Dream

Steinbeck uses the experiences of George and Lennie to explore how the American Dream has failed people in their position. The economic conditions of the Great Depression left many people in poverty. They were unable to achieve the stability and success they longed to achieve. The novel suggests that the American Dream, once a symbol of hope, had transformed into something unreachable. It had become an unattainable fantasy for the working class.

Related | Understanding themes of friendship and loneliness in Of Mice and Men

Characters like Candy and Crooks also share similar dreams of independence. However, their social status as old, disabled, or racially marginalised individuals makes it impossible for them to achieve those dreams. Candy is an aging ranch hand. He clings to the hope of joining George and Lennie on their land. He knows he’s reaching the end of his usefulness. Crooks is isolated due to his race. He briefly entertains the idea of escape and freedom. Ultimately, he acknowledges that dreams like his don’t come true for people like him.

Through these characters, Steinbeck critiques the notion that success is equally accessible to everyone. He highlights class and race as systemic barriers. These obstacles prevent people like George, Lennie, Candy and Crooks from improving their circumstances. It is impossible for them to rise above these challenges.

The Shattering of the Dream

The climax of the novel, when Lennie accidentally kills Curley’s wife, marks the final collapse of George and Lennie’s dream. Curley’s wife, another character with her own unfulfilled dreams, represents the idea that dreams often end in tragedy. Her death not only seals Lennie’s fate but also destroys any chance George had of realising their shared vision.

Steinbeck ends the novel on a bleak note. He suggests that the American Dream is not just elusive but fundamentally flawed for many people. George decides to end Lennie’s life. He does this to save him from a worse fate. This decision illustrates the extent to which the dream has unraveled. Without Lennie, George is left with the bitter truth. He realises that their dream was never going to come true. This reflects a broader disillusionment with the promises of the American Dream.

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