Dreams can be easy to plan, but often impossible to reach. In Of Mice and Men, written by the best-selling author John Steinbeck, the characters used their dreams as a motivation. The role they played in people’s lives was to help them “escape” from the dark times of the Great Depression. However, the dreams seem to affect them. Curley’s wife dreamt of being an actress, but she ended up marrying Curley. Crooks is constantly frowned upon for his color and crippling problem, but dreams of equality. And Candy, also crippled, and depressed, dreams of joining his companions’ American Dream. In essence, Of Mice of Men is as much a story about the nature of human dreams and aspirations that work against them. Humans usually give meaning to their lives …show more content…
"I didn't want no trouble," he said. He walked toward the door, but just before he came to it, he turned back. "George?" "What you want?" "I can still tend the rabbits, George?" "Sure. You ain't done nothing wrong." "I di'n't mean no harm, George." (Steinbeck 17) One way in which Lennie and George's relationship affects their lifestyle is that they live for one another. For example, when Lennie gets into trouble in Weed, both men must go into hiding. When Lennie is hunted down by Curley's lynch mob, both men have to act accordingly. It is clear that both men recognize that their relationship is the basis of how they live their lives, like when George and Lennie went into hiding after Lennie gets accused in Weed. George and Lennie never achieve their dream, but the dreams hold their remarkable friendship together. As a result in George and Lennie’s dream, it made their friendship grow and made their bond stronger. (Read by Xavier, he comments “Good use of
The novel ‘Of Mice and Men’, written by John Steinbeck is a truly fascinating novel based upon the theme of dreams. This novel was published in 1937, which was towards the end of ‘The Great Depression’ that hit the United States. The novel was set in Soledad, California, during the same time period as published. This was an era in which the economy collapsed; many Americans lost their jobs, therefore leading into a lot of poverty and despair. Although many people were depressed, this was also the era of dreams. This is what Steinbeck’s novel is all about, dreams
He yearns to be seen as an equal to everyone else, wishes to be self-sufficient, to have a companion, and to be able to live a life of his own choosing. This dream is significant to Crooks since it provides him with a feeling of confidence, self- dignity, and pride that was not so often appreciated during the time when he was feeling lonely. To be specific, in Chapter Four, when he is conversing with Lennie and Candy about the dream farm that Lennie frequently speaks about, Crooks promises to work for nothing as long as he can live his life out there without the fear of being put out (Steinbeck). Perhaps, with the help of Lennie and the others, it could have been a true reality to be free and successful. But, the undeniable circumstances, such as the discrimination Crooks faced, would not have gotten him very far as he would have liked to. To illustrate, Crooks is “put in his place” by Curley’s wife, when he voices out his feelings, causing him to lose his pride and hope to be seen as an equal to the other white men at the ranch. Due to the prejudice Crooks faces because of his race, the overpowering circumstance dooms his desires to be independent and equal. After all, he wishes to acquire the perfect American Dream. But, there is no security for anyone in a prejudiced world, least of all a black stable hand with a crooked back. Hence, the cruel and unequal circumstances Crooks encounters in Of Mice And Men restricts him from fulfilling his dreams and
The evolution of George and Lennie’s relationship grows from a distant companionship to an intimate one, then it transforms back into a distant companionship. Lennie and George’s relationship did not start with the compassion that it would progress to but it showed how George willingly took Lennie to take care of. George explains how he first met Lennie and why George kept Lennie around, “When his Aunt Clara died, Lennie just come along with me out workin'. Got kinda used to each other after a little while.” Since George promised Aunt Clara to take care of Lennie, their relationship blossomed into a tight companionship.
Strong friendships have the power to make people’s lives better. George and Lennie travel together and eventually live together, resulting in a strong bond between them. George cares for Lennie and he makes sure
In Of Mice and Men, the hopes and dreams of the men on the ranch are a continuous focus and theme throughout the novel. John Steinbeck portrays the effects that dreams, or lack of them, have on the lives of the characters and the outcome of the novel. Steinbeck uses the concept of dreams at once to show hope and aspiration, as they invoke companionship with united determination for a better future, and to illustrate the difficulties of survival, with unrealised dreams illuminating the dark despair of society at that time.
Steinbeck write about the dream to give trust in a miserable society while the dream may never be achieved , Of Mice and Men advise that with the end goal life should be full and important, it must contain dreams. George and Lennie never achieved their dream, however, the dream holds their wonderful relationship together. The dream gives them live,
Ever since humanity has come into existence, the world has allowed dreams to blossom into beautiful flowers or be rejected and die like a fly swatted in a household. Each dream may end in a success or a tragedy, but it is up to the discretion of the cruel, but rewarding world humans inhabit. In the novel of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck, a myriad of characters all have dreams that they passionately want to fulfill. Curley’s wife, who remains unnamed in the book, has a dream of becoming Hollywood’s biggest star. Crooks, the black stable-hand only dreams of being able to have friends and be seen as an equal to others. Lennie and George are a pair of migrant workers who want to live the American dream and have their own ranch. Each of these characters’ dreams were all torn down by the world, illustrated by Steinbeck as a cruel place where dreams cannot come true, no matter how passionate a person may be.
By traveling and staying together, they are able to believe in better life. When Lennie gets upset, he wants to hear the story of how George and he are different from the other guys. Lennie says that they are different because he, “got [George] to look after [him], and [George] got [him] to look after [George]” (Steinbeck, 14). Lennie and George are loyal to one another because no matter what happens they will always be together. They believe that even in the future they will live happily together in their own land because they both share the dream of owning a land
Throughout life people use dreams as something to motivate them or to look forward to. In the novel Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, John uses dreams to show what George and Lennie wish to have. George and Lennie find work in Salinas, California on a ranch as migrant workers. In order to obtain the dream that they have, they must work hard and not let anything come in their way. In the book Of Mice and Men dreams play roles in various characters’ lives as well as affect other people.
Of Mice and Men Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” In Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck shows that this is not always true. This novel talks about how three friends had found what they had in common and which was their dreams. When they finally had the opportunity of making it become true, Lennie caused trouble for them. Because of the trouble they got into, they couldn’t attain their dreams.
Hopes and dreams can be very important for peoples’ needs and survival. In Steinbeck’s story, Of Mice and Men, each of the main characters is driven by their hopes and dreams; it provides a sense of motivation and animation to each of their being. From Lennie and George being driven by their hopes and dreams of owning a farm, to Curley’s wife’s dreams of becoming an actress, having dreams plays an essential role in giving hope to the characters of Steinbeck’s story. Although dreams and hopes are essential themes in Steinbeck’s story, in a sense, Steinbeck does seem to emphasize that dreams are not meant to be achieved, and that there are other factors that are essential for survival. I believe Steinbeck included their dreams to give
One of the major themes of John Steinbeck’s novel Of Mice and Men is that having a dream creates hope, friendship, and determination, enabling one to strive onward in life with a sense of importance. Three major examples show this idea. The first example is Candy’s loss of his dog and his joining George and Lennie 's dream of owning land. A second example is Crook’s memory of his father’s
John Steinbeck shows that George and Lennie have a true friendship be them taking care of each other by stating, “If you don’ want me I can go off in the hills an’ find a cave. I can go away any time. No – look! I was jus’ foolin’” (Steinbeck 12). This quote shows that George and Lennie share the true meaning of friendship by taking care of each other. George tells Lennie to stay with him and not to run of because Lennie can’t care for himself. Another quote that shows George and Lennie support one another is when the narrator states, “… I musta lost it… You never had none you crazy bastard” (Steinbeck 5). This quote shows the true meaning of friendship
Both Lennie and George would be nothing without each other. Steinbeck clearly shows how important friends are and how they can support and help you in a number of different ways. Lennie needs George for basic survival and without him, Lennie’s life would not be very long. George on the other hand, needs Lennie for a purpose in life. The conclusion of the novel Of Mice and Men illustrates what life would be like for George and Lennie without the other.
Although some people's dreams were destroyed at this time, some clenched tightly on to their dreams. Such individuals were characters that stuck together. George and Lennie had a dream. They wanted their own land where they could do what they wanted, somewhere they could call their own.