Vincent Hamond
Explore the significance of the Soledad setting in relation to Steinbeck’s message about the American dream.
The novel ‘Of mice and men’ is set in the 1930’s this was when the great depression had begun. Many people became unemployed due to the Wall Street crash and a huge drought which had caused a huge part of America’s food info structure to collapse leaving farmers without a source of income. The two main characters in the Novel are migrant workers who go from state to state in the search for jobs. This could be to represent how failed and flawed the American dream is and it is nothing but a dream.
The setting of the book plays a huge role in representing Steinbeck’s message of the American dream throughout the novel. The American dream is the idea that anyone can overcome their obstacles, and one day becoming successful. Soledad is the setting for the novel which is a northern state of America which didn’t mind which race you were at the time …show more content…
The idea of Soledad being a place where all people can make something out of themselves relates to the message of the American dream as the American dream is the idea of self-made success and if you don’t try to be successful you won’t, this is important as the people who saw Soledad as the promised land would only be able to make a living through hard work and the hope that one day they will become successful. I believe the setting of Soledad is extremely significant in Steinbeck’s message of the American dream as it represents success and stability which are all key ideas in the American Dream. The name ‘Soledad’ means loneliness, Steinbeck could have chosen to set his Novel there as Lenny feels lonely even though he has George to look out for