Module A - Of Mice and Men & American Beauty

John Steinbeck’s novel of ‘Of Mice and Men’ and Sam Mendes’ ‘American Beauty’ each explore the American dream, an ideal of a happy and successful life to which all may aspire and achieve. Both texts place their own contextual perspective upon its ideals and the settings are the main distinguishing points between the texts, from the Californian Dust Bowl in the 1930s to the globalised commercial 21st century. ‘Of Mice and Men’ suggests that the American Dream is to attain private land ownership, so as to belong to something and to call it his own. Although this dream is unattainable, the novel also focuses on the celebration of friendship and that it is used as a coping mechanism against the harsh misanthropic world the characters are placed in. On the other hand, ‘American Beauty’ satirises the flaws of the American Dream through the depiction of dysfunctional families who have already achieved the dream. These families superficially chase material wealth yet they are presented as being anything but content. Ultimately, both of these texts explore the necessity of human desires and the inevitable loss resulting from attempt to pursue these desires.

Hopes and dreams are a fundamental part of the human condition. Without them, one can lose a sense of purpose in life. In ‘Of Mice and Men’ George and Lennie attempt to break away from conforming to a malicious society. This central notion of the American Dream is mirrored in George and Lennie’s dream of owning a farm allowing self-reliance, “live off the fatta the lan”, enabling them to be their own masters. Steinbeck’s repetition of the concept of land ownership through the dialogue of George and Lennie, particularly Lennie’s total devotion to “tending the rabbits”, highlights the crippling feeling of dispossession of the itinerant workers and their need to dream to cope with life. Every character at one point also confesses of possessing a dream different from their dull unsatisfactory lives, Candy latches