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Book Analysis: Of Mice and Men

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Book Analysis: Of Mice and Men
Subject of coursework: Literature “Of Mice and Men”

• One of Steinbeck’s themes in “Of mice and men” is the dreams and hopes that people have. Explore the theme of hopes and dreams in the book, focusing on how it’s portrayed and how it affects the different characters.
• Number of words: 865

Small George Milton and big Lennie Small are on the run again. They are hired in a ranch and intend to work there until their dream comes true. Unfortunately, simple-minded Lennie manages to get them in trouble before their dream; their wish for a life is fulfilled.
Lennie only has George, and George hasn’t got a choice but to be with Lennie. There’s a connection between them that no-one can understand, however everyone wants to experience. Two main points of everyone’s dream is to have a companion-not to be alone, and to actually live the American dream: The idea that if you lived in America you could and you would have a better life; the idea that you get a house with a farm and to belong somewhere.
George and Lennie, like every other American, wanted to have a place where they felt secure, and a place where they could relax, after work. Of course, George and Lennie’s farm would be fitted into Lennie’s absent-minded, childlike, immature wishes.
Lennie’s dream is for George and himself to own a farm; a place that they could call their own. Their farm animals would include rabbits for Lennie to play, pet and keep. Page 18: ‘”Let’s have different colour rabbits George”, “sure we will,” George said sleepily. “Red and blue and green rabbits, Lennie. Millions of ‘em”, “furry ones, George, like I seen in the far in Sacramento.”’
However, Lennie’s biggest concern was to make George happy. He didn’t want to make him sad, he didn’t want to make him angry. This is why Lennie did everything that George asked him to do. From the beginning till the end; from page 8, George says to Lennie what to do: “Now look-I’ll give him the work tickets, but you ain’t gonna say a

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