The American Dream in of Mice and Men
The ideals of freedom, equality, and opportunity traditionally have been available to most Americans. However, in the novel, Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck illustrates some examples of Americans who are not able to achieve the “American Dream”. Such as Lennie and George and Candy. A life situation with Americans who cannot achieve their American dream are severed disabled people. The “American Dream” is one many people have; however, reality sometimes prevents it from happening.
Lennie and George had the “American Dream” of owning a farm and sharing the land with Candy would enable them to sustain themselves, and, most important, offer them protection from an inhospitable world, represents a prototypically American ideal. Their financial problems and Lennie’s troublesome behavior seemed to interfere with their dream. “Some day we’re gonna get the jack together and we’re gonna have a little house in a couple of acres an’ a cow and some pigs and – an’ live off the fatta the lan’.” George kept reminding Lennie that one day they would have a farm to themselves but George knew that it was just a false hope. “- I think I knowed from the very first. I think I knowed we’d never do her. He usta’ like to hear about it so much I got to thinking maybe we would.” Their journey, which awakens George to the impossibility of this dream, sadly proves that the Crooks is right: such paradises of freedom, contentment, and safety are not to be found in this world.
Candy seemingly worked hard his entire live, have gotten nowhere and are forced to be content with simply having a roof over their heads and three meals a day. He had the “American Dream” of owning his own farm as well but his old age and the accident on the ranch that left him handless made accomplishing his “American Dream” that much more difficult. “I ain’t much good with on’y one hand. I lost my hand right here on this ranch.” His dream wasn’t completely gone because the opportunity of sharing a ranch with Lennie and
Lennie and George had the “American Dream” of owning a farm and sharing the land with Candy would enable them to sustain themselves, and, most important, offer them protection from an inhospitable world, represents a prototypically American ideal. Their financial problems and Lennie’s troublesome behavior seemed to interfere with their dream. “Some day we’re gonna get the jack together and we’re gonna have a little house in a couple of acres an’ a cow and some pigs and – an’ live off the fatta the lan’.” George kept reminding Lennie that one day they would have a farm to themselves but George knew that it was just a false hope. “- I think I knowed from the very first. I think I knowed we’d never do her. He usta’ like to hear about it so much I got to thinking maybe we would.” Their journey, which awakens George to the impossibility of this dream, sadly proves that the Crooks is right: such paradises of freedom, contentment, and safety are not to be found in this world.
Candy seemingly worked hard his entire live, have gotten nowhere and are forced to be content with simply having a roof over their heads and three meals a day. He had the “American Dream” of owning his own farm as well but his old age and the accident on the ranch that left him handless made accomplishing his “American Dream” that much more difficult. “I ain’t much good with on’y one hand. I lost my hand right here on this ranch.” His dream wasn’t completely gone because the opportunity of sharing a ranch with Lennie and