The Limit to Dreams

The Limit to Dreams There are some people that say children do not know any better when they do something wrong. Does this still count for an adult that doesn’t know any better? Lennie from the novel Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck fits that description exactly. Lennie is just like a child because he dreams big but is not able to take care of himself. Lennie and his dreams are both very big but that is what makes him very childish. Everyone has dreams. However, once people start to grow up they put away their dreams about being a princess or an astronaut and look at more practical options. To some people they might call this process growing up, but to Lennie this is saying that there is a limit to dreams and that is the exact opposite of his mindset. Lennie is able to look past his, his lack of money, and all the bullying he’s been through and look forward to his future. He believes that he can start with a clean slate and live of the “fatta the lan’”. The only thing Lennie truly understands is George, bunnies, and his dream. He gets so excited when the subject comes up that he even memorized the speech George gives to him, which is very impressive for someone like Lennie. For example, “O.K. Someday- were gonna get the jack together and we’re gonna have a little house and a couple of acres an’ a cow and some pigs and… An’ live off the fatta the lan’” Lennie shouted, “An’ have rabbits. Go on George!” (14). This quote shows just how childish Lennie truly is. He is able to dream beyond even when things go horribly wrong. There is always something he can look forward too. Lennie has lived a hard life. He travels everywhere, he gets into trouble, and George yells at him for being stupid. Also besides George no one truly understands him. Despite all the negative things he’s been through he is still able to be optimistic and look toward the future. He even ignores the fact that he’ll probably never even be able to fulfill his dreams. Even when things are looking