Hopes and Dreams
Steinbeck emphasises hopes and dreams throughout the novel, Of Mice and Men. Most of the characters in the novel have hopes and dreams they wish to fulfil in able to gain freedom, independence and to get away from the loneliness they suffer. The dreams of these characters are unrealistic and seem impossible to come true. The main characters, George and Lennie, share the same dream of managing their own land freely without anyone else dictating them. This dream is common amongst the workers of that time since the novel was set during The Great Depression, wherein most people lost their life savings and were unemployed. Just like these affected workers, the characters in the novel went through hard times but yet each was a different individual with different traits. They each wish to find the presence of hope and perform their own ways to achieve their dreams. This is what defines their personality and their whole being in the novel.
George aspires for independence, to be his own boss, to have a homestead, and most importantly to be ‘somebody’, meanwhile Lennie dreams of ‘living off the fatta’ the lan’ (pg. 57) with George on his side and being able to tend soft rabbits. But as we look into the complicated situation of George and Lennie, they can never settle in a workplace long enough due to Lennie’s limited mental capabilities. This is one of the many obstacles that the two must overcome before reaching their goal. But despite the fact of how Lennie constantly creates problems for George, he is certain that he needs Lennie in able to make this dream happen. George and Lennie are different compared to the other workers in the ranch. They were ambitious and had perseverance which other workers lacked, yet they were still so far from reality due to many circumstances that happened in the novel. The novel took place during The Great Depression, so no one seemed to believe that their dream could be possible at that time.